My computer will not boot from an Ubuntu USB stick (12.04.3 64-bit). It goes straight from the motherboard splash screen to Windows 7's "Starting Windows" screen. Then to Windows 7.
I've tried seemingly everything. Tweaking nearly every setting in the BIOS (boot order, USB-related-anything). Holding F8, F11 or F12 while booting. Trying different USB ports. Unplugging all other USB devices. Even attempting it with a second USB drive. I've read all of the articles and forum posts online. Nothing is working.
I didn't have this problem before. It was on this machine that I first replaced Windows with Ubuntu. And without any substantial hurdles.
Now, I'm on a fresh install of Windows 7 (work-related). It is on its own partition -- 250 GB of 500 GB. I left the remaining 250 GB unallocated, so that I could install Ubuntu there.
One thought I originally had was to buy a second hard drive (500 GB) on which to install Windows. Except as it is, I don't even know how I'll be able to format the existing one for Ubuntu use, without being able to boot from a USB stick.
And, when I open Wubi, I notice that it can only install Ubuntu on a partition of my Windows partition. Not what I'm looking to do.
My motherboard is an Asus M4A78LT-M LE (http://www.asus.com/Motherboards/M4A78LTM_LE/). However, I don't see how it could be the culprit, considering I previously installed Ubuntu on it successfully. It seems like it's something Windows 7-related.
Is there a certain key that can be held down that will make a motherboard force-boot from a USB drive? Any other help? What can I do?
Thank you.