2.6.18-8.el5 i686 version of my kernel do u know where i can download software for playing video cds?

That version is for 64 bit proccessor. you need a distro that will run on your 32 bit processor. red hat is not free, he needs to give you the key on the cd cover or in manual. go to distrowatch.com and pick a linux, download the i386 live cd you should be fine, fedora is based off red hat.