linux freezes during startup gateway 500x

[Lynxinator]

I have attempted Ubuntu, Debian, and Wuby, and none of them work so the problem is not a simple Cd drive error. Ubuntu and Debian freeze at roughly the same point in the installation. Wuby installs succesfully in Windows, but then dies in attempted startup. Ubuntu won't even boot from the CD. I have tried the various "safe" installers, text only methods, none work. Strangely enough, I have managed to get Knoppix to boot from DVD. I would prefer to get Ubuntu running than Knoppix however.
Any suggestions would be appreciated.

[reed9]

If your computer supports booting from a USB drive, try using unetbootin or the like to create a bootable flash drive and install from the that. I know some folks have had success that way when the live CD was failing for some reason.

[Lynxinator]

I have tried loading the entire Ubuntu OS onto a USB stick before, the computer did not even see it. Do you think this will be diferent? I think the problem may be some conflict between Linux and my hardware configuration...