Lenovo 3000 N200 problems

[squareyes]

Hi all,

Managed to get Ubuntu 7.04 installed by using Gparted live disk, deleted 
all partitions, reset whole drive to ext2.
but no cdrom working. (using live cd) All working fine apart from cdrom.

Figured that now 7.04 installable, tried to install XP.

Couldn't get Win XP installed, "no hard drive present."  Fixed this by 
resetting bios to  "compatibility"
Installed XP OK

Partitioned drive with an ext2 partition of 60 gig, XP still working OK, 
tried to re-install Ubuntu 7.04 gets to message

/bin/sh: can't access tty; job control turned off.

 Have tried resetting drive in bios to default, still get same message 
installing 7.04, and understandably XP won't work. Have heard Lenovo has 
CD's that will correct "sata" problems, that still leaves Installing 
7.04, and no cdrom if I manage to install.  (unfortunately need XP for 
those here I can't convert) Suppose modem is next problem, but figure I 
have 20 years left :-)

Any ideas as to what I am doing wrong?
Many thanks in advance.
Take Care
Winton