Firstly, I have a laptop with a 60GB hard drive. There was a virtual partition with a 50GB/10GB split. I made Windows ignore the 10GB (I forget how) and installed Ubuntu into the "void". All was fine.

Due to a virus that I couldn't actually be detected, I've had to reformat my computer. I did the easy thing and put my Windows Boot Discs in and started it up, and everything seemed fine. I started it up, and the GRUB loading screen was gone, and Windows started up like new. However, it still fails to recognize the 10GB part. But I don't think much of it.

So I go and grab the new Ubuntu, 7.10, and try to install that. Then it asks where I want to grab files from, and it makes some reference to my previous Ubuntu installation. So again, I ignore it and move on. So I go through the rest, and restart the computer.

Now, GRUB fails entirely, and instead of getting anything loading, all I get is 'j' on the screen and it locks up. So something is entirely FUBAR. I think Windows only reformatted the Windows partition, and left the other stuff alone.

So what I need to know is how to completely reformat my computer, put WindowsXP back on and get it to recognize all 60GB, create a nice 10GB partition, and then install the new Ubuntu in it.

Please help me. I don't want to have to pay $50 to get some guy to do it, as I don't have the time or money. Thanks.

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