LinuxCNC installer problem- passphrase too long or too short

I am trying to install LinuxCNC from a USB stick onto a Core2 PC's hard drive. I am using: 

• LinuxCNC 2.9.2  Debian 12 Bookworm PREEMPT-RT ISO

Once I got past the "unable to mount installation media" error by pulling and re-inserting the flash drive, I get the network setup step. It has me choose between my ethernet port and my wifi dongle. I choose the latter. Now, I get an error about the WPA passphrase being either too short or too long. I was never given the opportunity to enter a password, so yeah, I guess it is too short!

What is the work around here?
Thanks!

Ok- I managed to come up with an ethernet connection, and the install went ok this time. Now....
It boots, and then I see the login screen. Before I even get a chance to enter my creds, the screen goes white and the system is unresponsive. All white- nothing on it.
I wonder what this means. I am using the built-in vga port on a dell core2 machine.

Note that I can "run live" from the boot USB drive and it works fine. Of course, there is no login.

I think your problems will go away if you plug an ethernet cable in. 
Never install Linux with wifi. Do that once its installed.