My first attempt to install Ubuntu on windows was a mistake as I did not install to the c:\ drive. So I made more space on c:\ to allow the install
I deleted the old install and reinstalled to c:\ubuntu and read another
thread on problems with the install to check that all the files are there.
They are so rebooted/picked ubuntu/got the splash screen then nothing. I know that the next step is for ubuntu to down load the needed files from the net but I see no traffic going thru the router
Ideas/fixes ?
I do have Mandriva 2009.1 install so know that my system does work with Linux.
Thanks !

Your description is a little hard for me to understand.... this is what I am getting from your description:

Right now, you have Windows XP and Mandriva installed and you are dual booting. You want to add Ubuntu. You installed Ubuntu via Wubi in Windows and are running into problems.

The fact that you have Ubuntu and Mandriva installed suggests you can install Ubuntu the old fashioned way (I've never used Wubi- but I think it is a great concept).

How about using Gparted or PartitionMagic (the latter is a Windows only app) to resize the Windows partition to create some space to install Ubuntu in?

Let me know if I have gotten your description right.

Yes I do have XP Pro and Mandriva 2009.1 installed as dual boot
Yes I wanted to install Ubuntu via Wubi on c:\ubuntu.
No Ubuntu is installed via Wubi on c:\ubuntu but does not boot
I have plenty of space on c:\ to install ubuntu. I gave the install 10 gig
for Ubuntu.

When I reboot/pick windows/pick ubuntu I can see the splash screen and then nothing. I know that after the install to c:\ubuntu and a reboot
ubuntu has to get on the net and install the packages and then going into a normal set up window. But after the splash screen I see no activity going thru my router. That suggest to me that the wubi installer does NOT
install nic drivers ?
Thanks for any help !

Like I said, I've never used Wubi- I would suggest resizing C to create a new partition- of 10gb if you like- to put Ubuntu on. If that works then the problem is with Wubi- you could also try verifying the CD by doing an md5sum check.

wubi has problems running from ubuntu install/live cd they messed somthing up with the current release. (i have tryed it and it didn't boot)
so just download wubi from here.
http://wubi-installer.org/

I have done a dozen or so wubi installs and this has worked everytime with different flavors of ubuntu.

Boot into windows and have a desktop. Put in the CD or DVD and the auto loader will put a box up and ask what do you want to do. I think that it is the second option is what you want to do. Put in your user and pass, choose how much space you want to use, and fill in the rest of the boxes. Let install and go have a some coffee. Come back 10 or so minutes later and take the CD or DVD out of the drive and reboot. When the PC comes up go into ubuntu and let it finish the install. Go and eat a lunch or a dinner. Come back to the PC, (I usually) do a re-boot and then log back into ubuntu and install what every else you want.

I hope this helps.

Ok am trying with the newest wubi and will report back after 2 reboots
If it does not work this time, I am finished trying to install

There is some thing very wrong with Ubuntu !
I tried again and by hold cltr+alt+F7 was able to see that some thing was
happening. So I waited till the reboot/pick ubuntu/saw the splash screen
and then nothing hold cltr+alt+F5 was able to get a prompt but since I
I had not been able to set the su password was not able to do much
What is with Ubuntu that it does not start x so a newbie can see what is happening.Not impressed with Ubuntu at all !!!!