So, I installed Ubuntu today, on my old Dell using the USB method. Had a little trouble, but eventually got the installer going, and completed the process. I was able to run Ubuntu without the USB, and everything was working fine. Then, I shut down the computer (using the shutdown option in Ubuntu) and restart, and received the error from BIOS "Boot failed" I'm given the option of F1 (retry, which just repeats the message) and F12 (sends me to the Setup for BIOS, which does nothing). Then I tried restarting with the USB back in, which brought up the installer again, showing that NO OS's were installed on the computer, meaning that Ubuntu had disappeared? When I installed Ubuntu the first time, Icleared out the Windows part of the Dell, as I wouldn't be needing it. So I tried to re-install Ubuntu, and I get errors during the transfer process saying that partions on the drive are bad, and stuff like that.
Another detail, when I look at the live version of Ubuntu (running it off the USB), it says that my harddrive is running over its parameters, if that makes any difference.
Anyways, I'm looking for an answer of what to do, I'm new to Linux, but it was going good. Thanks in advance.