I've recently used linux (ubuntu) for the first time and after that experience, I just can't go back to windows... however, after following some simple online guides, I've found myself unable to partition my hard drive. Here's what I did:

(1) Last week I installed some partioner (I can't remember which one) and tried to partition from there. I chose to seperate my hard drive into two 80 gb components (I have windows vista installed and about 70 gb of my drive already occupied) but after a couple of minutes, the partioner would tell me there was a disk partition error or a partition disc error or something like that....and that was the end of that.(2) I booted my laptop off the ubuntu installation disc in hopes of using its partitioner, but again there was a problem. After selecting my keyboard style preference, I had the option of using the "guided partition" which immediately consumed all 160gb of my hard drive (which im trying to avoid) or the manual partition. Once I chose manual partition the next screen would show a list that had something like dev/sda as the only list item but under the rest of the table headings, there was no information. If I chose next, I would be told there was no root source file, and if I chose new partition table then I was told I'd be erasing any current partitions on my drive.

I'm completely new to this and most of the guides I've found online are a little over my head in terms of readability so if anyone could help me out with what I'm doing wrong i'd really appreciate it.