I am a little bit confused.
Correct me if i am worng..

1.You installed linux.
2. Then you used windows rescue cd.

It would be a little bit more effective if you stated what you did or what r
u trying to do.

Please try again to tell use just want you were doing here.

Do you already have a duel boot XP/Unbuntu set up or are you saying your
just trying to carry out a partitioning with the CD to load Ubuntu onto
a n XP parition?

All i was useing the rescue cd for was to extend a windows xp pro.
partition. no dual boot or anything. just trying to find out why it
hung did i do something wrong when i exited it ? is shutdown -rnow
the correct way to exit ? it did do the job.

But you can't do it with that CD, it not a partition maker. You need a
partition making program like gparted.

What do you mean by "extend a windows xp pro"??

They meant extend an XP Pro partition. There's a period in the sentence where
there shouldn't be.

But you just cannot do it without a partition program as I said.