Cannot install over a corrupt XP system

I have an older desktop used for rendering images. The XP os has been corrupted. The machine will not boot in XP. It getsd to the windows screen, dumps to a black screen and recycles. I dowloaded the Ubuntu install file. Created a CD. Changed the Bios to look for the CD drive. The Ubuntu screen comes up. I select English and then regardless of whiuch option I select to intall, (test or full install) nothing happens. I was able to get to the test memory screen (which passed), but none of the other options get past a bleeping cursor in the upper left corner. I would like to load Ubuntu on this machine to test it out.
Rick