I recently got a Dell Inspiron Special Edition 7720 computer. I am trying to install Ubuntu along side Windows. When I use the WUBI installer, the installation of Ubuntu works as long as I do not boot into Windows; if I boot into Windows, when I go back into Ubuntu, I am given a variety of error messages which claim to have corrupt or missing kernel/root directory, etc. I have been working with this problem for about a week, and have reinstalled Ubuntu MANY times. So far, I have eliminated all of the following problems: Corrupt WUBI installation (Downloaded multiple times, used on other systems), I have tried using a CD and a flash drive, both of which work on other computers. I know that no program within Ubuntu is creating the problem. I know that others have successfully installed Ubuntu on a computer with my operating system (Windows 7 SP1).

This is a much shortened version of the original question, which has been up for about 5 days, and included a more detailed description of the problem, but left everyone clueless as to the source of this problem. When I spoke with the Dell service technician who came over today to replace my keyboard, he suggested that the driver for my HDD was so new that it was not compatible with the current version of Ubuntu. His reasoning is as follows:

1) During an install from a flash drive or CD, where I am supposed to get the option to wipe my system or create a dual boot, I get a window that asks me to select a hard drive partition, but none are listed.
2) This model of computer was made public in June of this year, while Ubuntu was released in April

Adopting this theory, it would seem to me that the WUBI install fails after booting into Windows because Ubuntu can no longer find the files that it needs to load.

Does this theory seem at all plausible to anyone? I just want to install Ubuntu and have it stay on my computer. I don't care how I put it there, I just need it to work, so I would TRULY appreciate any advice or suggestions anyone could give.

Thanks so much for your time and support!!!