I'm trying to install a command-line linux distro to a Compactflash card. The idea is to install on this machine and then transfer the CF card to an embedded application that does not have a CD drive or USB boot capabilities. This is what I originally did several weeks ago but the machine crashed, and the card was ruined, so I assumed the card had failed.

I have tried to repeat the same process with three CF cards now, all new. I have a generic USB card reader and I unplug my normal hard drive. I initiate a command-line install of Hardy Heron via alternate CD. The installation finishes, and then when I reboot, with the same machine, it goes to the grub menu, says it's starting up, then I get something about 'assuming drive cache write through' twice and it just sits there. It does not boot! What could be the problem?

You could post the "/var/log/messages" from the CF card here to give us more information.

how can I get them? Like I said, the grub menu comes up, then it says loading, please wait, and then it says the 'assuming drive cache write though' messages and then it hangs. It never gets to a command prompt.

Boot from the install CD and mount the CF card.