Hi;

I might be changing my video card and or monitor soon. Will Ubuntu automatically detect, configure and deal with this hardware?

Most probably yes. However, there might be some problems if you are changing the manufacturer, e.g. From ATI to Nvidia or vice versa. If the manufacturer stays the same, no problems should occur as long as the driver supports the new hardware(it should).

Just out of curiousity: which card are you getting?

Monitor unlikely. Graphics Card - it should be detected too. What are you changing to from what card/monitor?

I don't know what new cards I will be installing yet.

My PC got toasted by a thunderstorm through 2 surge protectors the other day. Both the monitor and tower still power up, so I am guessing I need a new video card. A friend with tools will be diagnosing the damage today and sending me to the store with a list of parts I will need.

That is not unusual. If lightning is occuring, then shutting off and unplugging the device from the wall is the only sure way to avoid a surge that can burn out the device.