As my gateway computer died, it was replaced with a compaq P-3. Attempted install of xubuntu and got to point of partition. Tried several partition options, settling on 32mb as someone else suggested. GOt as far as loading stuff to harddrive and gave deboot strap warning:

file:///cdrom/pool/main/o/openssl/libss....deb

was corrupt. Any ideas?

Hmm. If not checked already, look for scratches or smudges (I find they can cause the weirdest proplems). If you downloaded and burnt it, try either re-burning or re-downloading it. The only other thing is you are trying to install it on a Compaq. I don't mean to offend anyone, but I have personally seen a, uh, "butload" of problems regarding Compaq machines. Seriously, every Compaq I've seen has died or caused problems from stage one. Heck, even my Ipaq performs pretty, uh, lame.

BTW, 32mb of what? Your master partition? Swap partition? More info please.

Yes, I downloaded it and burnt the copy myself. Just for kicks and giggles, I tried a variety of linux distros on this beast -- each with the same result-- nothing.

Actually am suspecting this also

The 32mb ext2 partition was suggested for my previous Gateway2000, p-55 system which worked fine until I shut it down to actually install something on it.

THanks for the response.

i'm assuming you're using the 32 megs as a /boot partition. Make sure you are selecting the correct partition to install root on. You are prob trying to install it on that boot partition and running out of room. I would also double check that cd to make sure it's ok. I've had to redownload isos a couple times in the past.

Think there were a couple problems involved here: the CD rewriter that I was loading it onto the compaq, think the partition size may have been off also.

Anyway it is up with standard configs. Thanks everyone for the help.