General :: Computer Freezes During Its Install From Live Cd / Sort This?

I'm new to the Linux scene. My school computer has linux and it works great, and I'm trying to get into programming, so I figured it'd be good to switch over to Linux (plus I just got a new computer, so it's a good time).

But, I don't know much about how to install it. I've burned a live cd from sourceforge (actually 2: the newest version and one older). I shut off the computer and put the cd in the drive, and then when I turn my computer back on I get the expected menu. I choose my language, and then it brings me to a screen with a few options: "Try Ubuntu without any changes to your computer", "Install Ubuntu", "Check disc for defects", "Test Memory", and "Boot from first hard disk" (plus some options at the bottom of the screen). I've tried every option on the menu, with both cds, but whenever I select anything, it freezes up right away. I've let it sit for 15-20 minutes, and nothing happens, so I'm pretty sure it's not me being impatient

I've also put the disc in while windows is running. When I double-click on my D-drive (in my computer) I get the error message "No cd detected, cannot run cd menu".

I'd be content running a different version of linux, I'd just like to have linux running (although I want it separate from Windows, I don't want Wubi). I'd like to be able to dual-boot, but I'd be willing to give up Windows entirely too. So, any ideas? Anything I can try? Oh, and I'm pretty inexperienced at this, so ask me if you need more details, and please respond in basic terms