Great info, but he is using Fedora not ubuntu.....:-)

The 1GB and 650mb CD will work. Never tried to boot with sd cards on a laptop. If the bios can see it, then why not.

Use your 1GB usb flash and burn the image to the media and boot your laptop with it. Use the links that I have posted previously.

Zorin OS 6 light
Mint 13 that uses Mate, or xfce

linux mint 13
Zorin OS 6 light

The unetbootin application that is required for the usb boot image instructions is the same that is required for the boot from Hd option, however the only real difference is that the HD option should be used if you want to retain the current os and setup a dual boot, for a new installation the usb stick option is best.

Unfortunately you cannot install a new OS over an old OS which contains the installation source, because the new installation will just delete your installation source when it starts the installation.

unfortunately it does not appear that zorin has an official net install image and the lite image is CD-sized. As long as you have at least the capability to burn and read a cd or a usb stick with 700Mb+ then you can install the lite opion and add the features after the initial installation.