Ubuntu :: Does Any Thing Other Than Firefox Work

Having been given a P4 computer "not running fast" had xp on it.I decided that the time had come to improve on Microsoft so I added an extra 1gb ram downloaded ubuntu, burn off a cd and set to work loading this computer with Ubuntu

Try 1 failed, boot of disk but stalled
Try 2 failed boot off disk but full of errors.
Try 3 from within windows, yes we have Ubuntu dual boot with a fresh install of XP, looking good took it off the work bench and plugged into my KVM system. Reboot.Err where is {Ubuntu} bit like a rabbit and hopped off the drive
Try 4 Boot up from inside windows only this time a full reformat and full install of "Bunny" {well it has hopped off once} so from now on, I shall call ubuntu Bugs after bugs bunny that well known cartoon fool. (What's up Doc)

Low and behold I now have a fully ? no! a working version of Bugs now running.Test it on U-tube, download install plug-in all working, let the kids now on it to try it out.Yip, bebo , facebook run A OK, and the built-in sound card works, great I can play a bit of music.At this point things start to fall apart.Rhythm-box, it will not play any of my mp3 files that I put on the hhd, it tells me but I downloaded the whole CD from Ubuntu web site.And when I try other things to download to play music I get the following message or same as.Now the last thing I want to learn is a complete new language.If bugs can not play standard mp3 files like every man and his dog has, what is the point in having a poor rated file player.