Creating a partition so I can install linux via USB pen

[ac1d1ty]

Background:
Old Dell laptop (inspiron 2200).
Was running Linux
USB pen formatted as FAT


Current Problem:

Error 18 has started occurring, no longer picking up anything pertinant on hard drive, laptop = brick

DVD drive not working

Potential solution:

Get Ubuntu 10 (done)
install on USB pen (have used unetbootin)
boot via USB pen, run installer and have a pc.


Problem:

These steps done, when I try and boot via USB pen it says "no bootable partition).


me = rage.


Has anyone got a solution?

 

[ac1d1ty]

great, posted in wrong section :/

apologies.


P.s my only other access to a pc is a library dell pc for which I have but limited access.

 

[ac1d1ty]

I've had problems with certain USB pens before... could you try another?

E.g. couldn't get a Corsair FlashVoyager to work with Ubuntu on Desktop, but works on laptop. A different pen worked on desktop etc.

Unfortunately I have no other USB pens