trying to install Ubuntu Netbook from USB, failing

[EllieMurasaki]

I have an Asus Eee running the factory installation of Linux. Xandros, I think. Whatever it is, it's not letting me update Firefox, so I'm trying to replace it with Ubuntu Netbook. I made a bootable USB stick according to the instructions at http://www.ubuntu.com/netbook/get-ubuntu/download, and I know the problem isn't with the USB because the Windows machine I'm currently on wants to know if I want to try out Ubuntu or install Ubuntu or learn more, but when I put the stick in the netbook, nothing happens, and when I reboot with the stick in the netbook, nothing happens. The netbook's set to boot from a USB if there's one present; I checked. Is the problem that the stick's only supposed to work on Windows? If so, how do I fix it? If not, is this something I should go harass the appropriate segment of the Linux community about? If not, wtf is wrong and what do I do?

[snowpine]

You need to choose the correct options in your EEE's bios to boot from the USB stick. Not knowing which model EEE you have, I can only guess :) but on my EEE 900ha there was an option called "boot booster" or something that I had to disable before I could boot from the USB. Then, I was able to press the Esc key at startup to choose the USB.

A great resource for EEE questions: http://forum.eeeuser.com

[EllieMurasaki]

It's a 900, and I don't know what this boot booster thing is. I'm looking at the BIOS setup thing, boot device priority screen, and it swears first is Removable Dev., second HDD:SM-ASUS-PHISON.

[C.S.Cameron]

With my daughters EEE you need to select the flash drive under Hard Disk Drives. Not Removable Drive.

[EllieMurasaki]

My choices are Removable Dev., HDD:SM-ASUS-PHISON SSD, ATAPI CD-ROM, and Disabled. And I found the boot booster and it is already disabled.

[snowpine]

What happens when you reboot and press 'Esc' at the BIOS "splash" screen?

[EllieMurasaki]

...asks whether I'm booting from the USB. I feel stupid now. Thanks!