Ubuntu-Problem with freezing during updates

[markw10]

I just installed Ubuntu 8.1 on a Mac Pro using VMWare. It prompted me that updates are due so I selected to update. Now it's at the Update Manager showing 252 updates and all boxes such as close, check, and install updates, are all greyed out and the cursor is showing the circle that it's working on something.
I had this happen a few days ago so i rebooted. This is the 2nd time trying this and I'm stuck at the same prompt. I have even manually gone into the update manager and selected even to check for updates and it freezes up. I have tried to search for a specific file and the same thing happens.
I have used previous versions of Ubuntu and never had this problem. I even went as far as doing a fresh install and had the same problem. Any idea what's causing this and how I can get around this? Thanks!

[L4Linux]

Have you tried to update using the terminal(Applications->Accessories)?

sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get upgrade

Or from Synaptic, instead of Update-Manager.

[markw10]

Yes, I just tried it today. I thought maybe I had some type of network program but when i tried those 2 commands it worked fine.
Why would update manager freeze up then? I even hoped after the updates it was fixed but still is freezing up.