Uber-newbie totally lost. FUBAR'd my system? Start over?

I am lost. I thought I was updating, now I am constantly getting errors and I have lost my wireless properties. Help.



Synaptic Packet Manager for instance, this is the warning I get.
E: Encountered a section with no Package: header
E: Problem with MergeList /var/lib/apt/lists/ppa.launchpad.net_dockbar-main_ppa_ubuntu_dists_saucy_main_i18n_Translation-en
E: The package lists or status file could not be parsed or opened.
E: _cache->open() failed, please report.


I am open to learning (and a quick learner at that) I just need some direction.

First thing's first! and welcome!

1. Did you download with Firefox or Opera Browswer?

2. Did you check the md5sum of the downloaded image? (Blocked at work - see my video on md5sum on www.veoh.com - just search for 'swarfendor437'

3. Did you burn at the slowest possible speed (assuming you used a DVD and not memory stick to install)?

4. Have you cleaned your DVD writer recently? http://www.allsop.com/cleaning-/dvd-carbon-edge-pro-/

5. Did you choose the 'something else' method to install? Check out my tutorial video on how to install - this assumes that you are NOT dual booting with windows - also on veoh.com