FW: Initramfs and unable to run or load Ubuntu to my HD

[Ken Warwick]

ubuntu-users at lists.ubuntu.com

Hello,
 
I am a newbie to Ubuntu.
 
I have been trying to load Ubuntu 9:04 for 3 weeks now.
Ist I tried an upgrade from 8:10.
All I got from that was a black blank screen.
 
Then I put in a new HD-in fact I have tried several HDs.
 
The I tried a download to CD which I have verified using checksum etc.
I have changed HDs, cables, pulled the computer apart in pieces to check the
hardware.
I can run PCLinux off of its CD but I can't run Ubuntu.
I cannot get 9:04 to run off the CD, nor can I get the CD to load 9:04 on my
HD.
I have tried reading the Ubuntu FAQ, forum historical questions and anything
I can find on Ubuntu.
When I try to load or install 9:04 or any other Ubuntu vs. now, all I get is
the Ubuntu installation screen and after 
it works for a while it goes to "initramfs".
I have looked this up in Ubuntu, on the web and everywhere else I can find
it and am still out to lunch on what is happening here.
I have tried the help feature in initramfs but all it gives me is a page of
commands. I tried looking them up to no avail.
I have yet to find an explanation of initramfs that I can make sense of. 
I have the definition but I still cannot figure out what it does exactly. 
My question is how do I get by this initramfs stage/error/???? and continue
with loading 9:04?
What is the problem here?
Is it a SW or HW problem?
What is "initramfs" or where can I get a common sense explanation of it;
i.e., how I move on from here?
Thank you, any help on this will be greatly  appreciated.
Ken
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