update:
thanks a bunch guys, you guys rock.
I ended up doing MINT,
I used pendrivelinum to create the bootable usb drive
stick in the usb port and reboot,
wow, booted up in mint, clicked install.
took few minutes (left the room)
came back and took out usb stick and restart machine.
logged on to mint and clicked Auto update,
and flash, etc all worked fine.
love it!