Ubuntu fails to boot randomly half the time (can't access tty)

Hi there,

I am currently becoming very frustrated with my new Dell "ubuntu PC" which fails to boot into Ubuntu about 50% of the time. I'm completely new to Linux but I really want to make it work. I'm not scared of the command line (although I prefer a visual interface - I'm only human ) . I'd be really grateful for some help.

Here's what I've done so far.

- Bought a Dell inspiron from Dell (with 7.04 pre-installed).
- Installed a copy of Vista Ultimate over everything (I had one knocking around).
- Re-installed 7.04 from the CD into a new partition.

Now I've had a few niggles getting the network adaptor and video card working (I referred to this http://www.tequilafish.com/2007/08/02/installing-ubuntu-server-on-a-dell-inspiron-530/ and used edgy respectively) and now I'm even able to see my Windows partition from ubuntu and vice versa.

So what's the problem? Ubuntu only boots from the HD roughly 50% of the time (and with no predictability). Here's what happens:

- Grub runs
- Select Ubuntu
- The Ubuntu boot screen shows, but the progress bar never gets anywhere
- Generally at this point I hold the power button until the PC gives up, then repeat.
- But if I leave it for what seems like an age, I get this:

"BusyBox v1.1.3 (Debian 1:1.1.3-3ubuntu3) Built-in shell (ash)
Enter 'help' for a list of built-in commands.

/bin/sh: can't access tty: job control turned off
(initramfs) [ 205.796281] ata2.00: failed to set xfermode (err_mask=0x4)"

This is greek to me. I've found similar messages on the forums but nothing that exactly matches.

Can anyone help? I'm grateful to anyone that's even read this far!

Thanks,

Tim