USB DRIVE DISAPPEARS

I got DOSBOX, MAXIMA and OCTAVE off a FEDORA site to a USB drive, and only DOSBOX installed ok.
I was able to get into the unix shell to activate it.
Then I got xcfe to allow the startup rightclick startmenu.
Then I look at the boot setup but don't think I touched it.
I have not been able to connect to a wireless via the Aspire.
Now the files menu does NOT show the USB drive.
(Being able to move stuff on and off is the most important thing.)
What did i do to disable it?

Also, the webcam video does not record voice.
What I want to do is get MAXIMA, OCTAVE and EMACS (and Maybe the OpenOffice databse) to run.
I don't need the wireless to work just yet (it will distract me to be able to go online too much).
I do have lots of little DOS things I like to use, so DOSBOX is valuable, but am quite comfortable using
unix (my ISP is BASH shell with tin,emacs, lynx).

 

I am new to this forum, and perhaps my request is noisy, so please email me.