OS Install Problems (and more, inside!)
 

I made a thread in the cAos section that somewhat explains my situation, but it's clearly not a cAos issue anymore.

Basically, I have an old PC i'd like to use as a home server, I've had ubuntu on it for awhile and could share files over the network nicely, but I decided to try and install a lighterweight OS because it was no longer going to be a workstation.

I can't install any version of ubuntu past 83-85% when it will freeze up (xubuntu, ubuntu server) I installed 'Damn small' linux to the HD and i get 'operating system not found.' it doesn't even seem to load grub.

cAos installed okay, and I could even kind of share files, but I'm not extremely comfortable with a command-line only config just yet. for details on that, see that this thread

I've tried installing on two different hard drives in case it was a hardware issue, both produced the same result. all drives can be read/written just fine when i boot with a knoppix or DSL live cd.

:confused:

Thanks in advance to anyone who helps!

Can you give some info about this 'old PC' that may help someone determine if it really is some sort of hardware issue?
:)
Also, check into the BIOS settings for any settings relevant to the boot device(s) and other IO like shared interrupts, etc, and/or set the BIOS to 'default' and see if that helps.

Grub is not linux so I am going to assume the MBR has been trashed.

Reinstall grub but follow carefully the guidelines of a few distros (gentoo, lfs, damn small linux).

The one thing that is odd though is the 83-85% ubuntu install do you mean it cannot install after that point or do you mean it cannot boot after that point?

I mean the installer freezes up completely (yes, I even waited 12+ hours) It's especially odd because I've definitely had ubuntu running on it before.

the machine is an old HP, 900mhz amd, 256m sd. at the moment that's all i know.