Installer crashed. left with blank hard drive.

"Thanks to extreme file lag, I can't even run Ubuntu from the disk."

I do not understand this statement, and is probably the cause for you issues. What is happening here?

Yes, I also have a blank screen with a blinking underscore. It did not install the OS on my hard drive and my laptop is not working anymore. It stopped working after I selected "Install Ubuntu." I already wiped my hard drive. Now I need to find a way to get it to install Ubuntu.

>Thanks to extreme file lag, I can't even run Ubuntu from the disk.

>I have a blank screen with a blinking underscore without the disk.

We need more information. What you have posted does not provide us a lot to work with to understand the problem -- what do you get *with* the disk, and what do you mean by "file lag" ?

I also have difficulties to understand your issue.
If install didn't finish, what was error messages ?
If install finished but you can't boot see at: http://www.ubuntugeek.com/how-to-fix-ubuntu-10-04-lts-lucid-blank-screen-at-startup.html
Could you provide more data ?

The error was file lag. It was at 70% installed and just stopped. The files were not installing. And the link on launchpad it told me to use didn't exist. I can't even run Ubuntu from the disk. It doesn't ever move after I press the 'Install Ubuntu' button.

OK, this information is more useful -- you are able to begin the installation, but it stops during the package installation. What link are you talking about? It sounds like there might hae been an error message.

Can you use ubuntu in the "try ubuntu" mode?

No. I can't. It won't let me use 'try ubuntu', hence 'I can't even run the system from the disk.' I don't have the piece of paper I wrote the link and sys/log stuff on near me.

Also, lag is a commonly-used term among gamers meaning failure or falling behind. It's a failure to respond or react quickly enough to be considered functional. For instance, 'lagging behind' is cause for me to shoot players on my team in Halo.

That syslog info might be pretty critical in determining whats going on -- currently we are still short on information.

Here are my current thoughts:

The file copy process could have failed for a myriad of reasons. Coupling this with the Live mode failing helps us to narrow down a few common causes.
1) The ISO you downloaded is corrupt; have you checked the MD5 sums?
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/HowToMD5SUM
2) The CD burn was unsuccessful -- USB disk installs are probably more reliable.
3) Its unlikely, but this could also occur if the installer ran out of space during the install. However this would not be consistent with your description of being unable to use the live mode.

Another possibility is a hardware conflict during install. Often the alt-installer version can get Ubuntu on enough to work fully or at least fix the issue.

You never mentioned what your system is. Specifically, what is your network card, video card and amount of memory?

Also, lag is generally delay. You have a crash, as all progress stops totally.

I have an HP G60. Specs below.

Product Number NB041UA#ABA
Microprocessor 2.00 GHz Intel Pentium Dual-Core Mobile Processor T4200
Microprocessor Cache 1MB L2 Cache
Memory 3072MB
Memory Max 4096MB
Video Graphics Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 4500M
Video Memory Up to 1309MB
Hard Drive 320GB (5400RPM)
Multimedia Drive LightScribe SuperMulti 8X DVD±R/RW with Double Layer Support
Display 16.0" Diagonal High Definition HP BrightView Display (1366x768)
Fax/Modem High speed 56k modem
Network Card Integrated 10/100 Ethernet LAN
Wireless Connectivity

    * 802.11a/b/g/n WLAN

After it crashed, it gave me this link to go to. My handwriting is horrid, so I'm putting variations of what it might have actually said versus my terrible written interpretation.

http://launchpad.net/ubuntu/+sources/ubiquity/+filelag
or
http://launchpad.net/ubuntu/+sources/ubiquity/+filebug

It also said to attach this or write this once I go there. I would have copied the actual errors, but it was too long and I had nowhere to copy&paste it to, seeing as I had no operating system.

/war/log/syslog
and

/war/logpartman or /war/logpartition or /war/logpureman

I know that video card...
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1237873

I would try the alt-install version (Text Mode Installer) to get it on the system. Then it may work easily, or it may need a tweak or two. I have had a lot of issues with Intel graphics drivers. <sigh>

You can't attach file to message in Launchpad. You need to paste to http://paste.ubuntu.com/ and provide the link.