Installing xubuntu 13.10

[headfunkguitar]

I have downloaded xubuntu 13.10, and i am unsure of how to go about installing it.
I have extracted it to both cd and usb and tried rebooting and changing my boot sequence. my PC can't see my USB and when i ran the CD it came up with an error message about a valid boot device. i have also tried to mount it internally within mint abd i can't get the installer to run.
Is this a problem with my hard/soft ware or have i missed something blindingly obvious.
Thanks for any enlightenment that anyone is able to shed on the situation.
John

[oldfred]

When you say extracted, did you use the installer or just extract ISO. You need to use ISO installer as that both extracts and makes it bootable.

Also instructions for DVD or USB flash drive
http://www.ubuntu.com/desktop/get-ubuntu/download
Write image or burn image not copy ISO as one large file to flash or DVD.
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/BurningIsoHowto
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Installation/FromUSBStick
http://www.ubuntu.com/download/help/burn-a-cd-on-windows