I/O problems with USB Installation

[Tetrahedrex]

Hi everyone,

I'm having trouble installing Ubuntu 10.10 from my USB SanDisk Cruzer to my ThinkPad x60s. I configured the USB exactly as directed by the Ubuntu website's instructions, and booted the laptop from the USB. Things went well until the installer informed me that the installation was complete and I needed to restart the computer. I clicked on the button to do so, but when the computer restarted it displayed a list of error strings like thus:

end_request: I/O error, dev sbd, sector xxxxxxxx
end_request: I/O error, dev sbd, sector xxxxxxx2
end_request: I/O error, dev sbd, sector xxxxxxx3

Restarting the computer again with the USB brought up the regular installation menu. Restarting without it brought up a blank black screen with a blinking cursor. I attempted to execute the entire process again (format and reinstall) with the exact same results.

How can I finish the installation and access the operating system?

System:
Lenovo/IBM ThinkPad x60s
1 GB RAM
Core Duo 1.83 Ghz
Ubuntu Version: 10.10
USB Drive: SanDisk Cruzer

[Tetrahedrex]

Update: I retried the installation with a different USB drive. The I/O problems have stopped, but now after installation and restart the computer does not load Ubuntu--it simply displays a blank screen with a blinking cursor. Nothing loads even after quite a long time.