I'm really losin' it. I tried for hours to install SuSe 9.0 Personal but couldn't do it. 5% of the files would start to install, then the PC would lock up. I decided to try Mandrake & I'm experiencing the same thing. Obviously, I don't know what I'm doing and need serious help!

In Mandrake setup, you're prompted to identify mount points just before install begins. I have a small HD (4Gb) but it's enough. Mandrake picked to partition 2.7Gb for journal (it said other things but I forgot) & 1.4Gb for Linux native. In the blanks next to them, I chose the 2.7Gb journal as my root ("\") & picked no choice for the native partition. Then installation choices are shown (packages). I let it pick defaults then proceeded to install. Within a minute the process locks up. I don't get it. Someone please tell me how to proceed, how to properly config things as I go along. I may be making mistakes, choosing unwisely. This is my basic system config:

Pentium 2
4.0Gb Hard drive
384 Mb RAM
CD-R

Motherboard is an intel, but from a Dell Dimension XPS R450.

This system previously had Windows 2000 Pro running on it fine
All help greatly appreciated

*Image files for Cd's 1-3 were downloaded from mandrake-linux.com & burned to CD-R's using Nero6. Attempted install was from CD-1 boot.

Since this sounds like it may be related to your hardware, I am moving it to the hardware forum.

Could you supply a list of your hardware - sound card, video card, etc etc.
Check your hardware against the list.

What the hell am I doing wrong???? ( post #1)

I'm really losin' it. I tried for hours to install SuSe 9.0 Personal but couldn't do it. 5% of the files would start to install, then the PC would lock up. I decided to try Mandrake & I'm experiencing the same thing. Obviously, I don't know what I'm doing and need serious help!

In Mandrake setup, you're prompted to identify mount points just before install begins. I have a small HD (4Gb) but it's enough. Mandrake picked to partition 2.7Gb for journal (it said other things but I forgot) & 1.4Gb for Linux native. In the blanks next to them, I chose the 2.7Gb journal as my root ("\") & picked no choice for the native partition. Then installation choices are shown (packages). I let it pick defaults then proceeded to install. Within a minute the process locks up. I don't get it. Someone please tell me how to proceed, how to properly config things as I go along. I may be making mistakes, choosing unwisely. This is my basic system config:

Pentium 2
4.0Gb Hard drive
384 Mb RAM
CD-R

Motherboard is an intel, but from a Dell Dimension XPS R450.

This system previously had Windows 2000 Pro running on it fine
All help greatly appreciated

*Image files for Cd's 1-3 were downloaded from mandrake-linux.com & burned to CD-R's using Nero6. Attempted install was from CD-1 boot.

====================================================

Response to request for more system info:

Microprocessor type: Intel Pentium II with MMX™ technology

Intel® SR440BX Motherboard

Hard Drive: Samsung SV0432D EIDE 4.0GB

CD-ROM: Hitachi CDR-8130

Memory: 384MB RAM

Graphics controller: NVIDIA GeForce4 MX 440

Sound Card: Turtle Beach Montego 2 A3D

Linksys Fast Ethernet 10/100 network card

USB 2.0 controllers

BIOS Settings:

Primary IDE Master: [SAMSUNG SV0432D-(PM)]
Primary IDE Slave: [NONE]
Secondary IDE Master: [HITACHI CDR-8130]
Secondary IDE Slave: [NONE]
IDE Controller: [BOTH]

L2 ECC Support [AUTO]
Plug & Play OS [NO]

Video Configuration:
Palette Snooping: [DISABLED]
AGP Aperture Size: 64MB
Primary Video Adapter: AGP

Resources: All available; IRQ 3,4,5,7,10,11

Boot Priority:
First Boot Device: [HITACHI CDR-8130]
Second Boot Device: [SAMSUNG SV0432D-(PM)]
Third Boot Device: [Removable Devices]

==================================================

I really hope this helps!

I'm not sure I understand the journal/native thing. I'm not familiar with that terminology. But I have seem similar installation problems caused by a worn/faulty CD drive, which was working ok with Windows. If the drive is as old as the rest of the system I would be suspicious. Can you borrow another CD drive and try again?

drknownothing -- in the future, please do not followup on your own threads by opening a new thread. Instead, just post your response in the original thread. As I'm sure you would agree, if every response resulted in opening a brand new thread, it would make following a discussion impossible.

As the LQ Rules indicate, it's OK to bump your own thread (meaning that you respond to it yourself) if at least 24 hours have elapsed without a reply, but please do not post the same discussion multiple times. Thanks -- J.W.

Sorry about that. I moved it up because I didn't want it to get lost (my reply). I'll most certainly observe the rules better in the future, and thanks for bringing this to my attention.

what was the solution to this???

a friend of mine is having the same issue

Yeah, I finally resolved this. It was the hard drive, a Samsung 4GB, model # SV0432D. After flashing the BIOS, switching CDROMS & checking memory I figured I'll have to invest a few bucks just to see. I got a Maxtor DiamondMax + 20GB and everything worked fine. Strange, because that model drive was listed as compatible & I ran Samsung diags on it & it passed. Oh well. After install, I had quite a few problems as I knew NOTHING about how to work on linux but after many posts here & elsewhere + reading the instruction manual (oh how I hate to read the instructions) I'm now able to compile software, run basic commands (CHMOD, MKDIR, Is -I etc.) and other things so getting a bit more comfortable & enjoying linux more. A bit tough but once you get your feet wet you're hooked. I hope this helps others.

Congrats drknownothing on solving the problem. Likewise for posting back -- J.W.

Thanks Doc!