Try updating it first. Go to a terminal (command line) window and type:
sudo apt-get update
It will then ask for your password. Enter it. It will then update its "sources" list. When that process is done, enter the command :
sudo apt-get dist-upgrade
which will update everything that needs updating. You can do the same thing with a GUI tool if you wish, but for the first pass, the command line is a better choice.
You might also try Pinguy OS instead: http://Pinguy-OS.sf.net
It's based on an updated Ubuntu 11.04, but comes with a BUNCH of useful software and sources pre-installed, including some stuff that's fairly tricky to install. It's what I'm using right now. The commands above still apply.
--ScienceMikey
Chairman, SIG-Linux, Southeast Michigan Computer Organization (SEMCO)