Frustration #3: You want USB? No install for you!

At last the installation begins, and what's the very first thing I see? Why, it's something so thrilling I can't help but giggle with glee. You see, one of the first and foremost things I was prepared to struggle with Ubuntu over was getting it to recognize and use my wireless internet adapter (I have one of those USB adapters for my desktop). I was prepared for war, you understand. I had read all my Sun Tzu and Machiavelli, and watched the end of The Two Towers for seasoning.

But Ubuntu recognized the adapter immediately. As in, before Ubuntu had even been installed. And I said, and I quote, wow. That's awesome. And as advertised, all I had to do was tell it my cryptic network password, and lo, a connection to the net was had and Ubuntu was ready to get to work:



Sure, I'll download updates while installing. And sure, I'll install some third party software. I've gotten by with Windows all these years; I trust you. The one nice thing I can say about Ubuntu is that, yes, it might drag me kicking and screaming into a steel cage match, but it won't bend me over the nearest chair and vigorously violate me. Which is more than you can say for Windows and its maker. So I checked both those boxes. Install anything you want, Ubuntu, as long as my computer works when you're done.



Apparently Ubuntu claims to be clever enough to be able to make itself a couple partitions and install itself without provoking Windows to throw a hissy fit and nuke your machine. I'm skeptical about that, but I have no intent to find out. I happily authorized Ubuntu to throw Windows down the memory hole. Hopefully forever.



Ubuntu was kind enough to allow me to set up my basic stuff like time zone, keyboard orientation, etc. while it was installing. It's not really a big deal, it takes like 20 seconds anyway, but hey. That's nice.



ZethMkI is the newer machine, which will retain Windows. For now. I hope to the Seventeen Gods it won't be for long. We continue through standard stuff here while Ubuntu prepares to install. And then it commences installing. And thenWHOOPS!



Frustration #3 has raised its ugly head. What the holy hell is this all about?

Beats me. Looks like this attempt at installing at a flash drive turned out even worse than the last one. At least the last one didn't tease me, like the cheerleaders in high school used to. I always told myself they were dirty sluts anyway and I wouldn't touch them even if I could have them, but I was lying to myself.

Thanks for digging up the memories, Ubuntu!

After trying it again without letting it download updates and third party software (hey, you never know; this is the way years of working on Windows have trained me to think) and meeting with the same fate, I unhappily conceded that installing off a USB drive was not meant to be. The root cause is probably UBD (User Brain Dead) but in any case, I'm just going to have to install off a CD.

Which reminds me. I only had about ten blank CDs still sitting around in my closet, unused for at least three years. You're not going to believe this, but they don't work.

So I'll have to grab some new ones on my next Walmart run, which is probably Wednesday. I'll probably then figure out some other way to UBD the install and be unable to find the foggiest clue how or why.