Installing Lubuntu Options

[NeoJettero]

Please help. I have an old Gateway laptop computer that ran Windows XP. I'm trying to install Lubuntu 12.04 because I have 982 MB of memory. I don't need anything too powerful because I want to learn Linux, especially the CLI. My goal is to build a separate Linux Home Server. My problem is that Ubuntu 9.04 is currently on the computer, but I can't update it. I get either there is nothing to update to (9.04 might not be supported anymore) or there is a network error. I currently have the computer plugged into my router via ethernet becuase for some reason Ubuntu isn't recognizing my on board wireless card. I'm not to concerned because I'm planning on purchasing a USB wireless NIC. I have the Lubuntu iso that I have burned onto a CD-R, but it won't install. Perhaps I should be trying a CD-RW. I also tried to find a way to create a boot USB. Any suggestions? Thank you.