how do i manage partitions

http://ubuntuone.com/59TzBdXu33ddQumXck8DBU

That seemed to work for the screenshot :)

We need to have an over view of your mounting point.
Can you please open the Terminal application, run the command "mount" (without "") and post the output here?

Sorry, wrong. You are on the lice CD. That won't work.
Can you open the availble Harddisks shown in the filemanager see it there is a file /etc/fstab is avvilabe on them. If yes, post it's output.

Sorry. Where do i need to open it from and how do i see if there is a file/et/fstab available? (thanks for the help)

are you looking for this?

# /etc/fstab: static file system information.
#
# Use 'blkid' to print the universally unique identifier for a
# device; this may be used with UUID= as a more robust way to name devices
# that works even if disks are added and removed. See fstab(5).
#
# <file system> <mount point> <type> <options> <dump> <pass>
proc /proc proc nodev,noexec,nosuid 0 0
# / was on /dev/sda7 during installation
UUID=dd91e6df-cd02-4f6a-b750-fdf35c9458d2 / ext4 errors=remount-ro 0 1
# swap was on /dev/sda5 during installation
UUID=534155d0-efaf-4b80-9f3d-7a3fbaa8f0e6 none swap sw 0 0

seems to be the only fstab i can find.

Ok, that was right. I just needed to make sure that you installation is not spead over two partitions.
What I recomment at this point is to backup your data from the old Ubuntu to the Window partition, then delete all Linux partitions and reinstall. To do so:
Go into the file manager and open the Windows partition, It should be named "ACER", "205GB device" or similar. Create a new folder for the backup somewhere and go into that folder. Now open the Linux partitions in an other windows or tab (right click on them in the list on the left) and look for the /home folder, In that folder, there should be a folder named after your user, for example /home/melanie, This is where your files are stored in and what was calles your personal folder on the old installation.
Find the files you need and copy them over to the Windows partition (you can do that even by dragging them to the other window or on the other tab with the mouse).

After you are 100% sure you have copies everything you need. Make sure sure all partitions are unmounted (click the eject icon next to them). You can delete the three Linux partitions on the right lower side of the bar in your screenshot. (12GB, 4.0GB and 86 GB). When you try to install now, the installer will ask you if you want to use the free space available.

" Create a new folder for the backup somewhere and go into that folder. Now open the Linux partitions in an other windows or tab (right click on them in the list on the left) and look for the /home folder, In that folder, there should be a folder named after your user, for example /home/melanie, This is where your files are stored in and what was calles your personal folder on the old installation."

ok, I am having a hard time with the file manager because i am really not finding a place to open the different partitions from other than disk utility or filesystem. Can you let me know if there is a way to look at the files in them-a menu i might be unaware of?

when i look at the list on the left from the device menu all that is listed is PQSERV(13 GB FAT), 86 GB filesytem(where all my files i want to save are as far as i know) and ACER. The issue i am having is finding the /home folder. Here are the screen shots from opening the drives from the device menu:

Screenshot from 2012-08-20 12:01:06.png (86GB filesystem)
Screenshot from 2012-08-20 12:35:26.png (PQSERV FAT)

I don't see /home folders there.

Why do you not have a backup of your photos etc?? If the HDD motor fails, where is your data??

good question but it doesnt help a whole lot other than to let me know i am being negligent with those things i would like to not lose. Noted. Thank you.

your http://ubuntuone.com/59TzBdXu33ddQumXck8DBU is not working...
Please use http://imageshack.us/ (or similar sites) to upload your screen shot image and send link here...

Ok, so as not to leave this thread hanging I have managed to delete partitions and re-install 12.04. A friend helped me with this-however i think it was the death blow for my hard drive-looks like a new computer for me.

Why not just buy a new hard drive? If that's all that is 'damaged'.....think about it