I bet your brain is fried and need rest. So come back fresh tomorrow.
What version is Ubuntu? Just wondering. Cuz if you are using older version Ubuntu on old laptop, this could be the problem.
If you want to find out what version: find in System > About Ubuntu
Here's the version:
6.06 Dapper Drake
6.10 Edgy Eft
7.04 Feisty Fawn
7.10 Gusty Gibbon
8.10 Hardy Heron (currently in use)
9.10 (new version coming soon!, I think I have beta version of new Ubuntu but it says Hardy Heron while I have new wallpaper (look kinda like "lion" with mane roaring) and new addition. I downloaded Ubuntu Hardy and burn it to CD last week, struck me odd..)
So which one are you using??
Because older version Ubuntu do have issue with newer driver. So either have it updated or upgrade to newer Ubuntu version.
Sometime older version works well with old laptop while newer may have conflict or slow down performance on laptop. It's just the Kernel version.
Here's the method of automatic update:
System-->Administration-->Software Sources-->Updates
So if you use it, It'll update Ubuntu to current and fixes. Sure hope it'll fix the problem.
Catty