Ubuntu won't load - can't access important files

[AussieDave]

Please, I'm calling for desperate help here.

On my laptop I have a dual boot of Vista and Ubuntu (Karmic Koala). I have 3 Vista partitions and 1 Ubuntu partition (well, two if you include the swap disk).

Recently I had started to notice that when trying to boot into Ubuntu, it simply wouldn't. It would have a screen with lots of text which would every few seconds refresh yet it never really looked any different, although I'd be unable to tell. I'd leave it there for several minutes and nothing would happen.

I wasn't worried for a while because I only used Ubuntu for some scientific work over the summer and I haven't needed it for a while but now I desperately need those files. I've tried three programs that apparently make Linux partitions accessible in windows but I've been succesful with none of them. I'm now seriously worrying that there has been a harddrive error of sorts...but then I only have one physical harddrive on my laptop and my windows partitions are working okay.

I found my Karmic DVD and I tried to run "run Ubuntu without changing your system" but that wouldn't load after ages.

I haven't tried to reinstall Ubuntu because I've read that doing so would wipe the existing files.

PLEASE help me here. I've been almost in tears fearing that these important files are lost. I'll do anything to retrieve them!

Kindest regards,

David

[tpl]

you might try the "System Rescue" CD--once booted, you should be
able to mount your Ubuntu partition, and--say--copy the essential
files over to a memory stick

[MikeTbob]

Since you can't get your DVD to boot, do you have a USB flash drive that you can use? I would suggest that you download and install Parted Magic and boot from that. Then you can examine the disk in detail from there.
Downloads

[devils casper]

It would have a screen with lots of text which would every few seconds refresh yet it never really looked any different, although I'd be unable to tell. I'd leave it there for several minutes and nothing would happen.

I am sure that you are having Graphics Card problem only. Press Alt+Ctrl+F1 after a while and check if it switch to command line mode?
Have you tried to boot up in Rescue or Command Line Mode from GRUB Menu?

[kados]

Ext2 IFS For Windows

that's what I use, it's the ext2/3 driver for windows. It will allow you to access your linux partiton.