Ubuntu 10.04 usb install fails with a blank screen

[sirbinks]

I'm trying to install Ubuntu 10.04 on my computer but I am running into some issues.

I've installed the same version on other machines, but this is the first time I've tried to do so on my home desktop.

First of all, the boot menu looks different than other times I've installed. The layout is the same:

[IMG]http://ubuntu-tutorials.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/ubuntu-beta-install-1.png[/IMG]

but it's all black and white and low-res, like you got in old DOS menus or in some BIOS menus. Plus it's missing all the GUI bits and there are no F key functions. Just a black screen with a shitty looking version of the Ubuntu logo and the menu options.

Then, if I try to boot from usb it hangs on the loading screen forever. And if I try to install, it goes to the loading screen, then the monitor looses input, goes to sleep, and there is no activity from the computer that I can tell. It stays this way until I do a hard reset.

system specs:

CPU: AMD Phenom II X4
RAM: 4GB
GPU: ATI HD5850
HDD: 500 GB with 60GB unallocated for a linux partition.

I've tried both the standard iso from the Ubuntu main download page and the amd64 version, as I am running AMD. Results are the same in both instances.

Any suggestions?