Mark Shuttleworth does technical support?  Wow, very hands on... Seriously, this error sounds like the one that is given if (for example) you try to mount a Windows drive and it hasn't been shut down properly... the easiest solution normally is to boot into Windows, let it do its "Scandisk" or whatever, and then shutdown in an orderly manner.  I assume this isn't an option?  (unfortunately you've started a new thread so I can't see your original cry for help at this moment)... Another alternative would surely be to copy the data off the drive using the Feisty Live CD, perhaps onto removable storage or another drive, and then reformat this one and be done with it... surely easier than all those sleepless nights you seem to be having as a result. Sean