bypass sources.list file?

[planalpha]

I'm trying to install and the installer keeps changing my sources.list file to a mirror that isn't responding for me. When I change to kernel.org I can apt-get update, but the installer keeps changing it back. Arrggggg. How can I tell the installer to not touch my sources.list file or at least use another mirror? Is there a way to edit the installer file?
Thanks