Hard-disk problem!!

[R.I]

Here's the situation:

A few days ago,I tried to install Ubuntu,a Linux distribution package.I rebooted the system,put the CD in drive and did a detrimental experiment with the hard drive partitions.I changed the format of one of the partitions("D: drive") to some unknown one,which is supposedly required by Linux,being completely beginner in that stuff though.Also,I wasn't able to install Linux due to some reason.Now,the problem is that I don't remember what I changed it to,from NTFS.And,now the drive is unaccessible.



Any suggestions?

 

[_simon_]

Put the Ubuntu CD back in.

Instead of going straight to the installer, go to Applications -> Accessories -> Terminal

Type: sudo gparted

Now, you make no mention of any other OS's installed, so I will assume it's a blank drive. Right click and choose delete on any partitions you made.

Click apply.

Now you should be left with one, you need to format that as ext3.

Click apply.

(Going from memory here)
Right click on the newly formatted drive and choose New, using the same drop down box that you used to select ext3, this time select linux-swap and make it about 500MB.

If it won't let you do this then you need to go back and click on the ext3 partiton, right click, choose resize and free up 500MB or so.

Click apply.

You should now have 2 partitions, one ext3 and one linux swap. (see pic)

Close gparted and run the installer.

When it gets to the bit about partitions, choose MANUAL. For the ext3 partiton, set it to /

Now continue through the rest of the wizard.

Note: I made the instructions as simple as I could, hence all the applies.

Also note that this is a great, quick source of help: http://ubuntuforums.org/

If you were trying to dual boot then it sounds like your MBR got messed up. Installing Ubuntu properly should fix this, alternatively I believe you have to use the Windows CD to fix it, but I'm not sure as I've never had to do it.