I think Linux could have made this a lot simpler and it would have more people converting if so. K.I.S.S. method works.

The partitioning, I noticed got a lot of the newbies. How about a "DO NOT DELETE PARTITION".

What do you mean?

If you mean that Linux is too different from Windows thus it's complicated, that's just not true. There's a difference between being used to something else and something being complicated.

And UNIX (on which Linux is based on) existed way, way before Windows, so it is not like they could have made it similar even if they wanted to (which they probably wouldn't).

http://linux.oneandoneis2.org/LNW.htm

I meant make it newbie friendly.

The problem is that you keep trying to think windows and run Linux. That WILL NOT WORK. Just like learning to speak another language you have to think in that language to speak it effectively. Trying to think in one language and speak in another will just give you headaches or loss of hair. When my neighbor lady's husband passed I set her up with FC4(to keep in touch with grandkids). She was seventy at the time and had never run a computer in her life. For the first six months I was over there a couple times a week. When FC6 was released she had it installed before I did. Any time somebody says Linux is not newbie friendly I just think of all the people I have set up with Linux that had never run a computer and how quickly they became self sufficient with it. It is not difficult, its just does not do things the "windows way".

Linux and the GNU tools were created as free software replacements for the Unix operating system (this is a drastic over-simplification, but I'm just trying to explain the motivation). It was never intended to be a drop-in replacement for Windows. The fact is that things work somewhat differently. A number of distributors have done an excellent job at making Linux systems workable for people coming over from other systems (mostly Windows), but the fact remains that "under the hood" a number of things look very different. As the "Linux is not Windows" article explains, this is actually a good thing (particularly since a number of Linux users are old Unix-heads who wouldn't want things to become more Windows-like). Graphically oriented distros can reduce the learning curve, but not eliminate it. This doesn't make Linux better or worse than Windows, just different.

I;'d echo a suggestion made above that if you really don't want to deal with this, that you take your machine to a reputable local repair shop. They should be able to restore your MBR and get you back to a functional state with Windows. They should also be able to diagnose the hard drive problem that you're having with Windows. If you want to continue down the DIY route, I'd suggest finding a LiveCD (the Ubuntu LiveCD would work well, but there are others; I've had good luck with the Damn Small Linux LiveCD on less-powerful computers, but you'll want to have some expertise before you try it, so perhaps something like Knoppix will suit you well, but there are tons of LiveCDs -- just pick one you think you can work with). Once you've booted the LiveCD, check and see if your hard disks are mounted, and then make a backup of all your files ointo either optical disks or another hard drive. Once you've done this, you can experiment with the peace of mind that at least your data is safe.

Linux isn't about winning a popularity contest - and anyway, if it were just the same as Windows, why on earth would anyone use it?

John G

I constantly heard, too, that contrary to what it may seem, it is extremely difficult for a Windows power user to switch to Linux, but it is relatively easy for someone who hardly ever used a computer to start learning Linux, simply because the Windows user has to completely change his habits and way of thinking while the person who never used a computer doesn't have any Windows ideas of how it "should" be.

Looks like you might be suffering from "Problem #2" in the Linux is not Windows article.

My theory:
If you could find a group of people who had never set up a computer, I think--on average--they would find it faster and easier to install and set up Linux, compared to setting up the equivalent Windows system. Most users these days have never done very much configuring or maintenance, and a majority have probably never installed an operating system.

Problem is---there is no specific person or organization to direct this to. Each distro maintainer has their own ideas on how to create and maintain a Linux distro.

Concur with comments above:

1. Linux is effectively a free re-implementation of Unix, Not MS
2. Unix is at least 15 years older than MS-win (1970 vs 1985 ..ish), so there's absolutely no reason why either *nix should look or work anything like MS-win
3. MS did not invent the GUI, Xerox (yes that Xerox) did that at Palo Alto Research Centre and MS 'borrowed' it some time later.
4. its harder to switch OSes than it is to learn one if you've never had one.
5. Linux IS different to MS, in spite of the superficial (GUI) resemblance. You need to think differently to progress.

In terms of rescuing your system, I agree it might be better to find a decent computer shop and have them do it.

Could not resist replying even though most has been said that needs to be.
I agree with 'Lazlow' and 'guru' and could replace the complainant's MBR in minuets with a floppy.
I came to computers relatively lately and was ,therefore, not too contaminated by Win so it's a case of take your pick. A combination of flexibility and ease of use wins hands down, er um linux. I'm not going to sign up for Gentoo but I would n't for Windows 7 either.

Fred

WHOA! HOLD ON GUYS! I am merely making a suggestion not a demand.
I agree with everything you all said. I am sure Linux still wants to improve.
The menu issue has nothing to do with the problem. Just put the cd back in, and use liveCD and voila! Everything's fixed.
The main problem is installing Ubuntu. I will not install. Even following step by step instructions. I don't know if this where I posted the Ubuntu error while booting or rebooting but so far, I do not have solution for it.
It's no rush. I got my Windows back up and running. I have all the time in the world.
As soon as I am able to build a spare computer, I will try Linux again.
Thanks for all your replies.

You need free space or make some, Gparted or such like, perhaps. otherwise the imput goes to ram.

fred