Are you using Synaptic? There are other package managers out there... I can't think of the name but KDE has one - you also could try getting rid of ubuntu-deskt

Are you using Synaptic? There are other package managers out there... I can't think of the name but KDE has one - you also could try getting rid of ubuntu-desktop and going w/ Kubuntu-desktop (or you can install side-by-side and pick your poison at the session screen. ) -- Kubuntu has it's own different package manager.. though I prefer using apt-get to install things...Synaptic if I'm just browing what's available or looking for something not-specific for a task or something.