Help with Linux

[Mr. Doctor]

Hey guys, I've been wanting to do this for a while and I finally think I have it.

I want to boot Linux (Ubuntu) from my flash drive. I booted up the CD and installed it on the USB. Now when I try booting it, it doesn't boot. The light isn't blinking (when the light blinks it means it's being accessed). It shows up as a boot selection but when I try booting manually it still doesn't work. I set USB drive first as the boot order.

I could fix that or get help on this situation.

When I boot up my computer it says

Please select an Operating System...
|Windows XP|
|Windows recovery center|
...
|Useless shit|

Couldn't I install Linux and access it from there? Or would it wipe the entire drive? When installing Ubuntu it says "Install alongside other Operating Systems".

Any help would be appreciated.

Also I would like to express that I have a place in computers. My laptop needs a new hard drive and I'm going to replace it.

It feels good...

And I haven't been active lately because I've been dealing with school and midterms.

Thanks again. :)

PS: Does anyone else think Fallout: New Vegas is a little boring?

[MylesMadness]

unetbootin (http://unetbootin.sourceforge.net/) is awesome for flashdrive linux, but AFIAK its live cd only, but you can see if you fix that.

If you pick the "Install alongside other Operating Systems" it allows you to make the partition for windows smaller and then install linux in that space you freed up, so you could pick windows or ubuntu at boot

[Daniel]

You would have to enter your BIOS settings (it is commonly F1, F2, F8 or F12), you should see the correct key as soon as you boot your computer (usually down the bottom, saying "Setup press FX"). Next, find the boot order, and arrange it so your USB-HDD is to boot first. Plug in the USB, exit the BIOS *saving your changes*. If the USB fails to boot into, or there is some error, try UNetBootin to re-flash your USB with the Ubuntu ISO (link is provided by Myles above) :)

[Nava2]

Do as Daniel says, and make sure that the USB drive has boot flags set on it.

[Boreas]

You can boot to this CD http://www.plop.at/en/bootmanager.html which can then boot the USB. If that works, then it's something with your BIOS booting to USB. If it doesn't then the USB install didn't work. Here's another way to do it http://reboot.pro/13633/

[Mr. Doctor]

Reinstalling to the USB seems logical to do first. If it still doesn't work I will resort to other answers. Thanks guys for these answers.

E1:
Wow. I got the operating system to work. Except the internet won't even connect anymore.

I used Ubuntu 10.10 to download the drivers. After I downloaded one driver (Through an ethernet cable) the laptop will not connect the internet. I even reformated and installed Ubuntu 10.04 LTS, still no dice.

I'm trying to troubleshoot right now but it's not going too great. Sticking with Ubuntu 10.04 for now.

E2:
WOWOWOW.
I think i should shoot myself. I unplugged/plugged my router and it finally connects.

It's cool having a portable operating system. But it does have its disadvantages. :)