Keep tapping the 'Esc' key during boot to bring up a menu with the
kernels installed then select an earlier one to boot into. If you only
have the one kernel then choose the Recovery Mode option to boot into
then close down and try a full boot again.

Earlier kernels are similar to Windows System Restore and Recovery
Mode is similar to Windows Safe Mode.

BTW - it's not a good idea to try an upgrade a non-working OS of any
kind... that can be a short trip to 'totally hosed and only a clean
install is going to fix it' !!

When upgrading the data in the Home partition is usually transferred
but might not be. To be safe it's always a good idea to back up
everything first, but we all back up regularly anyway don't we, and
it's useful if the Home directory is on it's own partition ( that
means a manual install and can be daunting the first time you do it,
like most things ).

It is correct about having home in it's own partition. That way,
when you upgrade, you can download the new version, as an iso, burn that
to a cd and do a manual install. You can then install the new version
without affecting your home partition and when done, all your files and
settings are still there. It is so cool! There are lots of good how
tos on google.

OK now all of my kernels are toast and I can not boot up Ubuntu at all. Can
I get my old Ubuntu CD out and re install without upsetting the whole space
time continuum?

As for partitioning. How would I do what you showed me but with duel boot?

Can you recommend a partition program?

I have not been following this discussion. Sorry if I missed something (on
vacation). I am not sure what you mean by kernels are toast. I know the
expression, but doubt your problem lies with the kernel. Perhaps it is a
grub problem or something else. Grub points to the kernel and headers. If
the kernel does not load then it is grub's fault. Re-installing can destroy
data, so be careful. Also advice can vary with the version of Ubuntu. The
latest installer will pick up the installation and attempt to upgrade it.
Previous versions did not.

What I would do:

If you are worried about losing data, then first boot the Live CD and backup
data to another device.

If grub is NOT working: Use the Live CD to repair grub.
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Grub2#Reinstalling%20GRUB2

If grub is working. Then I would boot into text mode and look at the boot
process and see what it is having a problem with.

Finally, if all else fails you can re-install. If you do NOT format then it
will attempt to repair the old installation. You need to choose the manual
installation option and have your wits about you. Back up just in case.

That's a lot of damage from just disconnecting the power - the Linux
file system is far more robust than that and shouldn't have been so
severely affected !

So, when you accidentally kicked out the power cable did you also
knock the tower case too ? The sort of things that are happening are
more indicative of HD or RAM problems - perhaps just a dislodged cable
or RAM stick or perhaps a head crash in the HD ( bad news ).

It looks like you are in for a clean install but you should be able to
get your data off by booting up with the Live CD and accessing the HD
contents. If you cannot mount the HD due to file system errors you can
run error correction using [ System / Administration / Disc Utility ].

Might be worthwhile checking inside the tower first, re-seat the RAM
and HD cables.

PS - [ System / Administration / GParted ] is the partition manager
and if you don't see this when booted into the Live CD you can install
it from the Ubuntu Software Center, though it won't be a permanent
change of course

You can do a google search for Gparted, and down load a live CD for it
too. Not a bad idea to have a live CD of that on hand anyway, at least
I like having one handy.

In the recent past, the Puppy Linux LuPu Live CD was able to repair the Ubuntu
10.10 hard disk, but I wasn't dual-booting.

OK with saying you to start out from fresh may be a no go. However, this is what
I am leaning to for you to do. I know some keep sakes are on the hard drive.
With that said and many people may tell you. To back up all files before hand.
Thus with that said. Load Windows first and then Ubie. Oh my! I feel I going to
get a lashing from some people on this group. That is OK. It is now lash out on
the Moderator day. Well by my watch it is. There is not such a day...Till now. I
Gobby/Douglas has declare this forum/group/web page/ a internet site.

I have not looked at those options on the Grub menu in a long time, but what
I recall is "Recovery Mode" is more like DOS than Windows Safe Mode. Since
it gives you a root Kernel, it's sort of the exact opposite of "Safe" mode,
right? Or am I remembering the wrong thing?

Yes the recovery mode isn't *exactly* the same as Windows Safe Mode
but it has a similar function - repair whatever is causing problems in
the full boot of the OS :-) The tools are different because the OS is
different.