Ubuntu Installation :: The Ext4 File System Creation In Partition Failed?

I have a Dell Mini 9 netbook. The SSD took a dump, so I ordered a Super Talent 16gb replacement. I put it in yesterday, tried to install 10.10 and constantly get errors. The first error, which I haven't had since, was [ERROR 30] Read-only File System. The install obviously failed. Wondering if perhaps the file got messed up in translation, I redownloaded 10.10, reformatted the flash drive (sandisk cruizer 4gb), put 10.10 back on via the program on the Ubuntu site. No luck, but no longer the [error 30]. Tried again using Unetbootin, no luck. Rinse repeat a few times, no errors just a working cursor spinning and spinning and spinning and spinning and.. you get it.

Tried to put WinXP on it just because I was that frustrated, no luck.

Now I'm back to Ubuntu (because let's face it, who wants to deal with Windows, christ they make it so complicated). I'm currently using 10.04 because I was hoping (praying) it might just be a 10.10 thing.

No such luck, now it goes to step 7/7, starts, and 5% of the way thry "creating ext4 file system" it says "the ext4 file system creation in partition #1 (0,0,0)(sda) failed." I have checked the SSD in the Disk Utility, SMART tests are clean. I have gone to terminal and run fdisk and had a smarter person than me look at the copypasta, no errors, I have deleted all existing partitions in gparted and started fresh. I have tried the auto partitioning, I have tried manual, I am going insane. Literally insane. My preschooler thinks I've leaped off the deep end.

Could it be my flash drive? Could the SSD be defective despite the tests coming back clean? What do I need to type into terminal? Is there a way to entirely entirely entirely wipe the SSD to make it fresh-out-the-box clean? I will happily provide whatever you need if it means I can get my husband off my back about this stupid netbook with its stupid tiny keyboard.