Install goes to "initramfs" or says "Detect and Mount CD-Rom"

[NuWeb]

Hello.
I bought myself a new laptop, So my old one is going spare. What a great opportunity to setup Ubuntu on it "test the water".

Install 1:
I downloaded the Ubuntu 8.10 and burned it to ISO. Every time I try and install it goes to initramfs. I can not see any command to install it from here.

Install 2
So when I messed with that, with no success I tried the Text based installer (http://www.ubuntu.com/getubuntu/downloadmirrors#alternate). This let me enter some settings, but before installation started it said "Detect and Mount CD-ROM" followed by "Your Installation CD-ROM coul't be mounted" but the CD-Rom is in the drive! and burned successfully!

Info
Im running Packard Bell Easynote, It has XP installed but hopefully not soon if i can get Ubuntu on.

Any help much appreciated i tried ubuntu IRC but with no replies. Id hate not to be able to try ubuntu desktop!

Much Thanks

[NuWeb]

If no one has any ideas, Is it possible to install Ubuntu via my new laptop on portable drive, then use that portable drive in my old laptop?

If so can i do it without damaging the PC im doing it on (as in messing paartions or booting)

[ASTP001]

I'm having a smilar problem. I'm trying to boot from a CD and it takes me to something that says busybox... but it will not boot ubuntu...:( anyone help?

[NuWeb]

ASTP001, Yes initramfs but before it says BusyBox too.
I read that this is where Ubuntu drops too once instalation fails. Lets hope we can find a explination of what were doing wrong.

[RJARRRPCGP]

It likely has failed to detect the IDE controller. (also applies to SATA!)

But that problem usually don't occur, at least when you have the current release.

[NuWeb]

I have just tried again, with the latest release of Ubuntu. I get the same problems.

As for hardrive i have Western Digital WD1600BEVE-00UYT0 (new) running on Packard Bell Easynote MV51-1200.