No need to feel bad about asking, that’s what we’re here for!
Kubuntu is a solid pick, the Calamares installer is much more forgiving than Ubuntu’s new one like @tkn mentioned. Before you go too deep into distro hopping though, a couple of quick things worth checking since you can get into the BIOS:
Also worth trying a different USB port, ideally a USB 2.0 one if the machine has any, since older boards sometimes get fussy booting from USB 3.
If you still hit a wall with Kubuntu, Linux Mint or Zorin Linux, are other easy distros with reliable installers. But with Kubuntu you’re on the right track.
Splitting this topic since the previous was already solved. Also for better visibility.