I just want a Linux PC onto which I can install the package "gramps" and I know that gramps is availableas an apt-get package for Ubuntu. Could anyone perhaps recommend a more lightweight Distro on which I could easily install gramps if I am unable to get Ubuntu working?
Try fluxbuntu.
Or failing that, a minimal Debian install, go for neither gnome nor kde, but instead fluxbox or windowmaker.
Peter