Installing ubuntu

Hello im new to ubuntu and i cant seem to install it on my hard drive.
My spec's are
2.6ghz Processor
798mb ddr ram
2x 40gb maxtor harddrives
one of them has 4 partitions on it, slave drive.
My primary drive has three partion's, one has win xp 25gb one is for ubuntu 10gb and the other has 5gb.
I ran ubuntu with the cd, i had to use safe mode.
I tried to install using install on ubuntu desktop.
Got as far as the partioning the drive and a error keeps on coming up, some thing about the root directory.
I'm quite an advanced pc user and if i need to reinstall xp i will, thanks for all the help. Ta,

p.s no hurry wont be able to see this until monday.

Steven denslow

Get me at <email address hidden>