You installed it.. ubuntu uses sudo and doesn't have a proper administrator account. Your user account will be a member of the sudoers group.
o right ok well as you can tell im new to this anyway i reinstalled it and got it working the problem im having now is its not picking up my modem which is though eathernet any ideas?
Modem? or ethernet copnnetion to cable modem? If this is a dial-up thingy then you need to go into pppoe ethernet settings to put your password/user account details etc in.. Don't know how ubuntu does that.. sorry. Ubuntu forums will have hundreds of threads and guides for dialup modem settings.. I'm just too busy this weekend to go hunting Try this.. http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=235067
