Several questions regarding booting (to install) from USB
 

OK, so I'm having major problems. I have an Acer Aspire One 751h netbook (no CD drive). i'm trying to install Linux Mint 8 via my flash drive (PNY 4GB). I don't know where exactly my problem stems from, but I'm slowly making progress to find the solution.

It all started when I was trying to install JoliCloud via a Sandisk with U3. I checked the md5sum, and it was correct, but during the installation, I got an error that said something along the lines of "file does not match source". it says that I could have a faulty CD/DVD or bad hard drive etc. I tried joli, UNR, linux mint (7 and 8), and easypeasy. I got the same error on each distro.

Fast forward, I've now got the PNY, and I've tried all the above distros with the same errors. But before trying to install, I found the option to "check integrity of USB" or "check USB for errors" (depending on distro). with UNR, it tells me that the check found 2 errors, and LM8 tells me there are 7 errors on the USB.

I've found that if those errors show up, then its a good idea to try to re-download the ISO from a different source, and check the md5sum. I've also tried this, and get the same thing.

Can you guys help me determine where exactly my problem is coming from? Is it a bad ISO, do I have a bad hard drive, or is my USB a piece of junk? Should I just keep downloading random distros until I find one that doesn't show any errors on the USB?

One last question, and I'll leave you guys alone. I've got an old MP3 player with a busted screen (hence, useless as an mp3 player). Can I load an ISO onto it, and then install it to my laptop? I started to use the Universal USB installer program from pendrivelinux, but it said that basically the MP3 player won't be bootable. This was after I formatted it to FAT32. Is there any way I can make it bootable?

Why jump through all these hoops? A USB CD/DVD drive is cheap these days, and will most likely work right off the bat.

that's true, I suppose, and I actually considered it, but I don't think I'll use it enough to justify buying one. I think the cheapest I've found is about 50 bucks. and I'm weary about buying used electronics. Also, this is a netbook that I paid only 250 for, and I don't want to spend a lot of money upgrading it.. I bought a 2GB RAM stick, and I regret that.

Anyway, I'm going back to what I had working before (Tiny 7). My linux days are not over however. I'm planning on building a small desktop to hook up to a TV for my bedroom, and I'll either have Mint or Ultimate Edition. I think that's a nice setup. somewhere around a 30" TV on my dresser, and a Shuttle with a multi-drive next to it. All controlled by the IOGear wireless keyboard with trackball and scroll wheel. Or something similar to that anyway.