how do I upgrade to 11.10 from 8.04

I suggest you to download the iso of 11.10 and install it. I don't suggest you to upgrade. I don't know if you can upgrade directly from ubunu 8.04 because it is no longer supported:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ubuntu_%28operating_system%29#Releases

Hallo Enrico, I did download the iso, but it doesn't want to install
when I click on it. I am most probably doing something wrong. Can you
please indictae the steps I should follow to install the downloaded
file?

On Thu, Jan 5, 2012 at 2:41 PM, Enrico "eNry" Carafa
<email address hidden> wrote:
> Your question #183803 on Ubuntu changed:
> https://answers.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+question/183803
>
>    Status: Open => Answered
>
> Enrico "eNry" Carafa proposed the following answer:
> I suggest you to download the iso of 11.10 and install it. I don't suggest you to upgrade. I don't know if you can upgrade directly from ubunu 8.04 because it is no longer supported:
> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ubuntu_%28operating_system%29#Releases
>
> --
> If this answers your question, please go to the following page to let us
> know that it is solved:
> https://answers.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+question/183803/+confirm?answer_id=0
>
> If you still need help, you can reply to this email or go to the
> following page to enter your feedback:
> https://answers.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+question/183803
>
> You received this question notification because you asked the question.

You cant upgarde from 8.04 so this is a new install.

Step 1. Download the iso file

Step 2. Create a CD from this file. Most CD burning programs will do this for you. Burn at the slowest setting to minimise chance of errors.

Step 3. Backup anything you want to keep first.

Step 4. Boot from the CD dont select install but run from CD. Go on the internet watch some video with sound (e.g You Tube). If you find any problems ask back here if not procede to step 5.

Step 5. Boot from CD and select Install.

When I try to burn the cd, I get a message saying the file is too big.
Am I supposed to burn the cd with the file as downloaded from the
Ubuntu site, or only certain files from the download?

On Thu, Jan 5, 2012 at 3:41 PM, Warren Hill
<email address hidden> wrote:
> Your question #183803 on Ubuntu changed:
> https://answers.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+question/183803
>
>    Status: Open => Answered
>
> Warren Hill proposed the following answer:
> You cant upgarde from 8.04 so this is a new install.
>
> Step 1.  Download the iso file
>
> Step 2.  Create a CD from this file.  Most CD burning programs will do
> this for you.  Burn at the slowest setting to minimise chance of errors.
>
> Step 3.  Backup anything you want to keep first.
>
> Step 4.  Boot from the CD dont select install but run from CD.   Go on
> the internet watch some video with sound (e.g You Tube).  If you find
> any problems ask back here if not procede to step 5.
>
> Step 5.  Boot from CD and select Install.
>
> --
> If this answers your question, please go to the following page to let us
> know that it is solved:
> https://answers.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+question/183803/+confirm?answer_id=2
>
> If you still need help, you can reply to this email or go to the
> following page to enter your feedback:
> https://answers.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+question/183803
>
> You received this question notification because you asked the question.

The iso file is a disk image and you are not copying the iso file to the CD but burning the image.

It should fit on a standard CD if you down loaded it from here

http://www.ubuntu.com/download/ubuntu/download

For instructions on how to create the CD see here

http://tuxarena.blogspot.com/2009/03/4-ways-to-create-cddvd-iso-images-in.html

Hallo Warren,
I followed the instructions as above with Brasero and CD/DVD Creator, but after it showed the process as 100% compleet, a error message appears. When I load the cd, it is shown as blank. I also burned a cd on a Windows computer, but I am unable to boot from that cd.

Use Gnomebaker instead of Brasero.You can find Ubuntu images on http://releases.ubuntu.com/oneiric/.Read https://help.ubuntu.com/community/BurningIsoHowto and you should be fine.

Sorry for partial answer.You can not upgrade from Hardy to Oneiric because you can not skip releases.Above answer is for you if you want to make fresh install.