is there a way i could downgrade from ubuntu 9.04 back to 8.10?

I too am having a few problems. The main reasons for this are 1) I was unfamiliar with the Network Upgrade process and I may have fouled up a few things, especially when I was asked whether I wanted to keep certain configurations or to "clean install" them (I chose the latter - and I think I shouldn't have!), and 2) I had read that you should not attempt this upgrade on the first day it's available - advice I did not heed, much to my chagrin. Oh well, live aWnd learn.

Most of the programs I use are functioning, more or less, with Jaunty; there is nothing (other than Compiz) that does not work though I have to run through a few hoops to get a couple to function properly.

But I am not going to go back to Intrepid. What I am going to do is to back up all my Documents, Pictures, Videos, etc. (I do this routinely several times a week) and then "wipe" the computer with DBAN (Darik's Boot and Nuke).

Then, from the 'Jaunty' disc I downloaded yesterday, I shall reinstall Ubuntu version 9.04, in other words, a total "clean" install.

After 'Jaunty' is installed and configured to my liking, I shall try the various programs I generally use. If all is well, I'll keep 9.04. If I find that problems ('bugs') remain, then, depending on their severity and/or impact on my computing, I can go back to 8.10.

So can you.

How? That's easy. Just "wipe" the computer and effect a "clean install" from your 8.10 disc (or even your 8.04 LTS disc, if you don't want or like changes every six months). If you don't already have these discs, just download them from Ubuntu's site.

I am a VERY NEW user and am encountering problems. Tried to upgrade to 9.04 but it does take hours and days to download and then get disconnected.
Did upgrade from 8.04 to 8.10 and it works fine

 I must admit that the Linux Community is VERY ACTIVE and continuosly upgrading the softwares etc. This helps in some ways but it can be a put off at times. Everytime you do an install you can not start to use the programs for a few days as the "package manager" will be busy updating ALL the files. I have to wait days to download as many as over 700 files after install and this will take a few days to complete (Download and Install!).
Most programs also download hundreds of files and takes hours to install.
Am I the only one facing this problem??? Please ease my pain!
Thanks everyone.

Whenever a release is made the download sites get hammered and really slow down, causing all kinds of issues.

Using bittorrent can ease some of the congestion, so try to update with

apt-p2p

Instead of the normal apt-get may alleviate some of the time delays at updating packages.