Welp, trying to install linux on a fresh machine, and as usual, it's a fucking adventure. Tried both mx linux and linux mint, and I think both had the same problem - it 'loses' the thumb drive somewhere along the way and stops being able to read files from it for some reason? But not until after I've started the process. Motherboard is Z790 AORUS ELITE AX, for anyone who's curious. :/