Okay, I got PCLinuxOS Minime on my usb, and got into the boot menu on my computer. I chose my usb to boot. The screen shows the logo of the website where I got the instructions. It gives me three options to boot (which do not respond when I press any of the keys). It says at the bottom of the screen "automatic boot in 15 seconds." But . . . it keeps cycling through that 15 second note, over and over. Does anyone know what's going on here?

Please keep in mind that I am a total n00b. Most of the "newbies" I see here are still spouting computer jargon like crazy. I need instructions in plain English.

Thanks.

Post a link to the website or post the instructions you followed.

Here's the link with the instructions:

http://www.pendrivelinux.com/usb-min...-from-windows/

Everything worked until MiniMe was supposed to be loading by automatic boot. The message "Automatic Boot in 15 seconds" would complete its cycle and then start over.

I was not able to install Knoppix to a USB drive for a different reason (library missing), but I did successfully install Linux Mint to a USB. This makes me wonder if the first two were just bad burns of the ISOs.

I'm interested in trying several distros before I settle in, so I am curious as to what was happening with MiniMe.

The instructions seem pretty straight forward. I'm inclined to agree that your problem was probably down to a 'bad burn'. When ever possible, burn your iso's at the slowest speed possible. It also helps to check the iso md5sum to confirm a corrupt free download.