One of the replies suggested the use of Xubuntu, and since I had NO
luck with any of the Ubuntu CD downloads, I decided to try it. My
Verizon DSL line must have been choked today, because it was slower
(at times) than a dialup. But after about 4 hours I had the entire
Xubuntu 7.04 iso file. I burned a CD at 4x speed, and booted from it.
After a LONG time, it offered to install and I accepted. After another
LONG time, I had a clean install and am ready to start learning.

As far as preserving any files from 5.04, that was no problem -- I had
none. This laptop had WinME on it, and I just decided to let Ubuntu
wipe everything clean during the install.

I think that much of my problem revolved around getting a clean copy
of the iso files, and then trying to burn the CD at inappropriate
speeds. Someone suggested a "SLOW burn" and that's what I tried.

Another problem, no doubt, is in the hardware itself. I bought this
laptop when I lived in California, more than 4 years ago, and it was
on sale then. The hard drive is 12 Gigs. I don't know how to find the
processor speed (on Linux!) but expect it is less than 500 MHz. During
an unsuccessful install of Ubuntu 6.07. the hard drive made some very
interesting noises.

Anyway, thanks again to everyone who helped. I am sure I'll have more
questions now that I can work in Linux (or try), so you will hear from
me again.