it does not have a CD fitted . It came preloaded with XPpro and I have never
needed to have one . to make the boot USB install I used the universal usb
installer from the ubuntu site . I did a fresh download and created another usb
install on a different stick and ran install again . it failed at the exact same
place during the install . maybe should try an older release ? I do have several
CD drives but none of them are burners .