tips on upgrading ubuntu 8.04 to 10.04
Followed instructions at https://help.ubuntu.com/community/LucidUpgrades > Upgrade from 8.04 LTS to 10.04 LTS > Network Upgrade for Ubuntu Servers (Recommended)
Paid attention to all changes in config files. Mostly accepted new versions of files but took notes of changes. Most important change was in /etc/default/ufw, which had DEFAULT_INPUT_POLICY changed from ACCEPT. Forgetting to change it back first meant I had to get support to change it (at least, that's what I asked them to do, and then it worked).
Other hiccup was that, instead of upgrading mysql from 5.0 to 5.1, it just removed mysql. I then had to install the new version, which I did using aptitude. It found the old database files and used them with no problems.
Obviously, the new kernel version means that vmware tools has to be reinstalled. No further problems found as yet.
With that, I think the whole thing is resolved, but I'll leave the ticket open for a ltitle while in case you want to ask me any questions. Thanks for all the help on this!