I've downloaded a few of the antix iso's and put them on a USB. Whenever I boot any of them, it seems as if the system starts, but then it just shows a black screen with the mouse pointer in the center. At this point the mouse and keyboard both do nothing--everything seems frozen. I have to hold the power button to shut it down.

Anyone can tell me what's going on?

Please tell us about your hardware. Maybe you have a UEFI bios. Also, how did you make the bootable usb drive? What app did you use? Did you make it on Windows?
UEFI BIOS requires special configuration to make your Linux distro work on it.

I'm booting it on a Dell Inspiron laptop. I'm booting legacy, not EFI. I made the USB from both MXlinux and the MX tool for creating USBs and from Manjaro using dd. The results were identical. I choose to boot from USB from my BIOS options, the USB loads and I can press Alt+F1 to watch it load. Then when you would expect to see the login screen, all I see is a blank screen with the mouse and everything locked.

Used quick reply but I saw nothing show up so I'll post again to make sure.

I made the USBs using MXlinx with the MX tool and also with Manjaro using dd. The results were identical. I'm go to the BIOS on my Dell Inspiron laptop and boot from the USB using legacy not EFI. Then the USB loads and I can press ALt+F1 to watch the process. When the time comes for what you would think should be the login screen, instead I get the black screen with the mouse arrow and everything is locked.

So now the forum doesn't seem to be working for me. What won't these replies show up?

EDIT: Not sure what happened but I replied twice and nothing happened. Did it this time and it went.

So... I have made a USB using both MXlinux and the MX tool as well as Manjaro and dd. The results were identical. On a Dell Inspiron laptop,I choose to boot from USB, with legacy not EFI, from the BIOS options. The USB loads and I can use Alt+F1 to watch the boot process. Then, when you would expect the login window to appear, I get a black screen with the mouse pointer and everything is locked.

Did you check the md5sums to make sure you got a good download?

I did.

Well, I'm guessing, but if neither AntiX, MX, nor Manjaro will get any further, that your graphics card may not be supported.

You could try ctrl+alt+F2. This should give you a console where you can log in and do a text mode install. I've forgotten the login details (probably root and root) but I'm sure you can find them on the AntiX website under installation.

My graphics card? I've installed Manjaro, MXlinux, Arch, opensuse, debian... and more with no problems with my graphics card. I've been using linux on this laptop for four years. but you're telling me that antix won't load because of my graphics card--Intel 5500? What?

I tried to switch to another terminal. The keyboard is not functioning. As I've said, it's like it freezes--no mouse, no keyboard. Have to press the power button.

Your original post suggested that you couldn't get further than a pointer on screen, with AntiX, MX, or Manjaro - that is why I suggested your graphics card - now you say that you have installed MX & Manjaro before(?).

There could still be a driver issue, one that may not be in AntiX.

I was asked how I made the USB with antix on it. I replied that I used MXlinux and Manjaro to make the USB.

Are you sure it is not a faulty USB flash drive? It is the common element here. You should try another Flash drive. Another thought, What are the exact model and configuration of your laptop? may be you are trying to run a 64-bit distro on an unsupported hardware. It depends on how old is your laptop. How much RAM in it?

Use safe or failsafe boot at menu screen once you know the usb device is not faulty.

Also, F4 at same menu has an option to checkmd5sums of the files on the usb.
(Press Alt F1 to see messages)