I don't have a dual boot, so I have no windows utilities available to me at this point. I want to install Linux Mint 18.1 if that's of any relevance. I figured I could just boot to something new and it would overwrite, however that isn't the case as in the mint installation it says it has 2 gigs available to it (out of a 30gb drive).
How do I fully remove 16.04.4, so I can proceed with a new OS. Thanks so much in advance!
Turns out it can't see the hard drive, and is trying to work solely with the USB plugged in. Working on getting that resolved.

when setting up partitions use either guided-use entire disk or manual then delete the partitions containing the old install.

You don't need to remove an old system, when you partition your disk for the new system, you first delete the partitions, then create the new ones for your new installation.

Regarding seeing your USB/pendrive, there is likely an arrow at the top right to allow you to change to the disk you want to work on.

This problem seems to have been overtaken by events by this thread.

https://www.linuxquestions.org/quest...ll-4175627483/