Hi. I've been using Ubuntu 10 for a couple of years. I'm not savvy considering the terminal lingo - I usually just use the synaptic package manager and update. So nothing too in depth.

I tried to upgrade my Ubuntu 10 to 11, with a CD I bought with the Linux magazine. I've already used this CD on my Acer laptop with great success.

After my first attempt at installing the CD on my desktop, the "Ubuntu 11" purple screen came up and stayed there for hours. (I tried rebooting after the normal length of time had passed - I knew something was wrong, but my last attempt, I let it run for hours.)

I put the disc in to reinstall, thinking that maybe something was missing. I got a message stating that the installation had a problem, but I could send my information in (to Launchpad), but that failed.

Now I get this when I reboot.

"Target filesystem doesn't have /sbin/init.f-841c-1b9de2bb19a0 run-init: /ect/init: permission denied. [3.022494] kernel panic – not syncing: attempted to kill init!"

I have around 40 gigs of photos and documents I'd like to save, if it's possible. If I can't, I guess I'll have to let it all go.

Can I revert the system somehow? Is there a fancy way to boot and have everything magically appear normal? :0)
If not, should I just go ahead with a fresh install and wipe out Ubuntu 10 then?

Thanks for everyone's time and advice with this issue.