Hi, i'm trying to install Yellow Dog Linux (YDL) on my iBook G3. However, the installation always freezes! Once I have set all my preferences and am ready to install, it goes ahead, but then during the install process it freezes. Another thing is that it freezes at different times when I try to install again. Anyone know what's happening here?

I've tried mediacheck and the install disc are good. I thought maybe the iBook was overheating, but i'm doing all that I can to keep it cool with external fans and even a cooling pad that goes under the iBook itself. I even tried minimizing my options as much as possible so that it only installs the desktop package itself and disregards all the extra fancy stuff.

Anyone?!

Thanks in advance,

- I Love Lagar -

We need to see some kind of output from the system. It is hard to judge why the system would hang. Is it hanging while processing instructions (e.g. "Going multiuser..." and then hangs), or is it just hanging randomly, with no rhyme or reason? Can you get a Linux live CD to boot up?

No it doesn't hang while processing instructions. It hangs during actual installation. So when the GUI comes up and I can customize certain things (i.e. time-zone, language, packages to be installed), it all goes well and I keep clicking next to move on to the next step. Once it's all done, I hit "continue" and it begins the installation process.

First it formats, then partitions, and then it "prepares" for installation. After this it starts to install the packages. There is a progress bar and a little description under it telling me which packages are currently being installed. From here on in, it will basically freeze anywhere! Sometimes it freezes right at the beginning, or it freezes halfway through the installation. Some times there's "30 minutes left" and it freezes, sometimes there's "15 minutes left" and it freezes! At which point everything is basically dead and I have to shutdown by holding down the power button.

- I Love Lagar -

When it hangs up, can you use Ctrl+Alt+Backspace (not Delete) to return to the start screen or a text prompt? Also, can you boot a live CD such as Knoppix (if they make a PowerPC version, or Ubuntu LIVE (which I am certain has a PowerPC version)?

I'm currently attempting to reinstall it, so i'll try the "ctrl+alt+backspace" should it hangup again.

As for a Live CD ... what is that?

- I Love Lagar -

Ok no luck with the whole "ctrl+alt+backspace" thing ... also I read up on the Live CD's ... sounds like a good idea, however I don't have any CD's which are above 650MB, so i'm out of luck until I buy larger capacity CDs.

HOWEVER ... I think I know what the problem is now, i'm sure that it's the DVD/CD player in the iBook itself which is copping out on me.

Which leaves me with the question ... is it possible to bootup from an external USB DVD player on an iBook?

I'm going to direct this question to any MAC users on this board ... Thanks

there is a debian for mac