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my sony vaio is the devil and will only install fedora

gnome-tweak-tool is popular for personalizing
apt-get install gnome-tweak-tool

nixie pixel on youtube is a good source for you

My favorite apps:
kupfer
guake

Go to the Library and do your install

sudo -s
apt-get autoremove && apt-get autoclean -y

for java i use this

http://www.webupd8.org/2012/09/install-oracle-java-8-in-ubuntu-via-ppa.html

do the ctrl+alt+f1 things again
apt-get install gdm

Don't erase windows untill you have used linux for a few weeks.
Use 64 bit system
Welcome to linux
feel free to ask me any questions I will be more than happy to help with the transition!

It should work just fine. Can you boot into the Live CD of Ubuntu and does it work fine? If yes go ahead install and enjoy the freedom of linux.

use ubuntu minimal and you can choose a non-pae kernel and lots of other cool things

Use a LVM and it will let you install across multiple disks

turn off the file manager plugin in gedit prefrences plugins

try opening gedit go to preferences go to plugins and deselect the file manager plugin. let me know if your performance gets better after.

I would try a fedora distro, one of my computers will only boot fedora oddly enough. I named that computer...it's a bad word and I can't post that here.

uninstall and reinstall grub

I like using the live cd called "Super Grub Disk" boot into the kernel and reinstall grub from a terminal
or just reinstall over the ubuntu partition

I personally don't prefer auto-update
try manually open terminal
sudo -s
apt-get update && apt-get upgrade -y
apt-get dist-upgrade (optional)
apt-get autoremove && apt-get autoclean -y

the...

or you can use the recovery option on the ubuntu minimal cd

download "Super Grub Disk" make a cd or usb and keep it on a shelf somewhere for when you need it.
boot your computer into super grub disk and you can boot into your kernel with it.
apt-get install...

try to install again, i remember when i first tried an install it was intimidating coming from mac and windows. Now I love it don't give up.
pay close attention when you get to the step where you...

apt-get install tasksel
tasksel
install lamp server
apt-get install phpmyadmin after
this is what I use for php and mysql works great

apt-get install wicd

do the ctrl alt f1 things again and type startx

Welcome to Linux!

Also go into gedit go to preferences plugins and turn off the file browser plugin. It has a bug that can effect the performance of your machine. I do this and it is the single greatest performance...