if you could just give some general tips

so yesterday i was using windows when all the sudden the quite thinkable happened... oh no system crash. so i think ugh now i need to reinstall windows. so i do it once and oh no missing file does not work. and again oh no not cool. now i take a night to think over my options. morning comes and (using my older uber slow computer) i start searching for a linux based lo and behold the one that gets my attention is none other than ubuntu. so i first try an install of the 64 bit version does not work. so of course i go to the forums and find that alot of people just used the 32 bit for there 64 bit machines. i do that it works perfectly. except of course the sound. that i partially solved. it works on some programs and not others. irregardless i didn't post this for help on either of those for that would be in the wrong category??? sorry i had you read all that pointless background info but i have a fixation about telling the whole story on things. though if you answer those i wouldn't be mad. if you have any basic suggestions on what add-ons you think are quite essential or you think are really solid it would be a great help to this day old ubuntu baby.

btw i'm quite new to any type of forum as well so please dont be mad if this should not be here

It largely depends on what you will be using your computer for. The ubuntuguide.org wiki has a HUGE list. I don't recommend doing the list in one hit (!), but you will certainly find enough to get you started. For some other useful pointers, this site will be helpful on your journey as well. As for your sound problems, from the guide I posted above, this may help you get started.

edit: ps. Please stop apologising!!

General Kahn said: <clip> ... i start searching for a linux based lo and behold the one that gets my attention is none other than ubuntu. so i first try an install of the 64 bit version does not work. so of course i go to the forums and find that alot of people just used the 32 bit for there 64 bit machines. i do that it works perfectly.

This is the type of question I welcome in the Beginners forums. General help.

First, in general, most people would advise you start with the 32 bit version. But, since you seem for the most part up an running, with the exception of a sound problem, perhaps you should stay with the 64 bit version.

You may try the 64 bit forum for specific questions, like your sound problem :

http://www.ubuntuforums.org/forumdisplay.php?f=134

adam.tropics gave you a good general link. I can give you a few on sound as well:

http://doc.gwos.org/index.php/Comprehensive_Sound_Problems_Solutions_Guide

https://help.ubuntu.com/community/RestrictedFormats

Beyond that, it depends on what you want to run. Both the forums and the wiki are good sources of information.

https://help.ubuntu.com/community/

https://help.ubuntu.com/community/SwitchingToUbuntu/FromWindows

sorry i wasnt clear i couldnt get the 64 bit version running i have the 32 bit one oh and by the way thanks for the advice guys

My mistake then #-o

Starting with the 32 bit version may be better until you have a little more experience.

Then again, perhaps the upcoming release of Feisty (64 bit) will work better ?

If you need additional help, just drop a line ~