Help! Install of v6.06 LTS Crashes after Language Selection

[glcarter at comcast.net]

Hi,

I am a new Ubuntu user, well not even new yet since I can't get it installed.

I am desperate to rid my Dell Insipiron 1200 notebook of its virus infested copy of Windows XP.  I have 40 GB of disk and plenty free.  It has the required minimum of 256 Meg of RAM.

- I insert the Ubuntu CD into the drive, start the PC and immediately press F12.
- I change the boot device to the CD Drive.
- After about 15 minutes (should it really take this long?) I finally have an Ubuntu desktop with an icon that reads: Install. 
- I double click the Install icon
- After another 10 minutes (sirttl?) I get to Install screen 1 of 6 to select a language.
- I select English and press the Forward button
- After about 15 minutes (sirttl?) the screen freezes, never moves from Install 1 of 6, the progress icon stops spinning, all device lights are off.
- Everything is frozen I can't even pop open the CD drive

I thought Ubuntu would be perfect for just light work and internet browsing on this laptop.  Am I wrong?  Am I doing something wrong?