So lately I've been thinking of trying out Linux and Ubuntu seems to be the most newb friendly out there and I've used it before a couple times but not a whole lot. Only I've hit a few snags trying to install it.

I created a bootable USB and everything seemed to be going alright but after the Ubuntu loading screen I get an error saying "initramfs was unable to locate live files" or something similar and the whole process stops and I have to reboot. I tried multiple times and recreated the USB but it's always the same outcome.

Also tried the windows installer but then I get an error saying "no prefixes set" so that doesn't work either and I don't have any blank CDs handy to try a live CD because who uses CDs anymore.

So can anyone give me some insight here? My brother was also interested in trying it out too but I get the same issues on his netbook which makes me think it's the USB but the windows installer also does the same thing as well :/.

Probably you'll get more help in an Ubuntu forum? I dunno, just saying

I installed off a USB but had some problem (can't remember exactly) and the installation didn't complete properly. So I installed off a CD and everything went fine. That is what I would recommend doing.

Wait, Windows installer? I'm pretty sure there's no such thing.

Umm, lots of people. They're useful. Especially for things like this.

http://www.ubuntu.com/download/desktop/windows-installer

Seriously. Everyone should have a stack of DVDs around, just in case. They don't cost much.

http://www.ubuntu.com/download/desktop

@OP, what program did you use to make the bootable USB? I prefer http://unetbootin.sourceforge.net/.

As to keeping DVDs/CDs around. Its always a good plan. I personally install everything over the network and don't even have an optical drive in my computers (laptop excluded). But for the rare occasion its always good to keep a few around. I bought a stack of 50 DVDs for $15 2 years ago and still have over half of them.

Ah, then I stand corrected. I've never known a Linux distro that could be installed straight from Windows.

I used the one recommended on their little tutorial thing for creating a bootable USB "Pen Drive Linux Installer".
Anyway I managed to locate a DVD and it worked.
Also I usually never really have any CDs/DVDs around because I never use them and they just end up taking up space. This is the first time I've put a disk in my laptop ever..