navigation error trying to edit or post

hello
i have just installed wordpress
ive been trying unseccessfully to edit pages
first there is no publish button, and then i keep getting the
“do you want to navigate away from this page….if you do changes you have made will nt be saved …..etc”

it means basically i can occasionally post something, but then i cant edit it…..also clicking the links on the side of the dasboard page gives me the same error.
do i need to change permissions or does anyone know…anyway they could help me?
thanks in advance
biva