BIG Windows Problem (and Linux problem too)

Ok so I'm minding my own business, right, when I start up my computer and log in using XP Media Center.
Suddenly the task bar and icons disappear and I can't right click. It kinda flicks on and off that way and whenever I open a folder when the task bar etc are shown, everything disappears including the folder, almost as if it "restarted", only the wallpaper shows I can get into task manager and that's bout it.

Also, when I finally click "run" and iexplore.exe, I try to go to Windows update and the site seems to think I have a Mac.
I saw an error message about virtual memory, checked page file usage in task manager, and it's at ~300 Mb out of about 2000. So I don't think that's the problem.

Also, for some reason in CMD I can't go to another directory path. I type in cd /Program Files (when in C:/) and it spits out an error message.

I am also "dual booting" Ubuntu using Wubi. Been loving it so far, except that when I tried to connect to a wireless network it crashed and whern I try to boot into Ubuntu again it brings me to initramfs, instead of the log in GUI. I'm assuming it was a driver problem; but why does it keep bringing me to initramfs?

I have a lot of work to do, including essays and an OPORD for military science that I need done. I'm screwed right now.

If anyone needs clarification, i'd be happy to add or expand upon. I know my way around comps fairly well, but I don't know what the hell is up right now.

Thanks.

Do you happen to have another computer that you can download another copy of Ubuntu? If you can get a Linux Live CD in there it could eliminate some possible causes like a startup disk malfunction.

It could be a RAM problem, it certainly isn't the driver if you get the problem under both Windows and Linux because they use different drivers. It's a hardware problem.

The virtual memory error leads me to believe that its either your RAM or you swap disk (which on most computers is the same disk as your startup.)

Open your computer and jiggle the RAM, something might just be loose. If that doesn't work then you'll need to do some hardware diagnostics, which are in the BIOS. I'll explain how if you report back that you've tried what I said and are still having a problem.

everything disappearing except your desktop wallpaper usually means explorer (the Windows shell) has crashed

If Explorer is crashing constantly every time, this is probably a serious problem - most likely a hardware issue

If you're using Wubi, then the Linux virtual hardisk is hosted on your windows partition. If the Windows partition goes tits up, so does Linux

It's likely your hard disk has bad sectors on it
Your hard disk may even be on the way out

I suggest you buy another hard disk, ASAP
- Bung it in the machine, along side your existing disk
- Get hold of a Linux LiveCD (download and burn using another machine)
- Boot your machine using the LiveCD, and install Linux on the new disk
- Mount the old disk, and copy important files from the bad hard disk over to the new one
- Optionally, run disk diagnostics on the old disk to determine what's going on with the old disk (is it salvageable)

In addition to an Ubuntu LiveCD, you may also be interested in this
Trinity Rescue Kit

It's a Linuc LiveCD specifically designed to fix hosed Windows machines
and has lots of diagnostic tools available for data recovery

Full documentation of Trinity Rescue Kit is here
http://trinityhome.org/trk/prtdocs/

Relevant sections include
Chapter 3.1 - Rescueing files of dying harddiscs
Chapter 3.6 - Hardware testing