I've tried the following:

Ubuntu 5.10 AMD-64 install CD
Kububtu 5.10 i386 Live CD
Kubuntu 5.10 AMD-64 install CD
Kubuntu 5.10 AMD-64 DVD

all of them have the problem in the title Ubuntu or Kubuntu freezes at 86% of 'loading module ide-cd' for Linux ATAPI CD-ROM. No errors, kernel panics, etc it just stops there, the disc spins down after a couple of seconds and it just sits there until I hit the restart button.

I currently use a AMD-64 bit version of Debian Sarge but I can't use OpenOffice (no 64-bit versions although Ubuntu has it), only AbiWord which is included with the distro and it still uses KDE 3.3 nor does it automount discs like Kununtu does. I know you can set it to do so but my pendrive just isn't recognised no matter what port I specify in fstab but if the system automounted it for me regardless of what SDA port it's on I could use it under Linux which would be great. So I really want to have a nice shiny Kubuntu install.

Can someone tell me if there's anything I can do about this problem that would let me install from any of the above discs and if it will be fixed in time for the next release due June 1st?

PS. I found the following post: http://www.linuxquestions.org/questi...d.php?t=330849

unfortunately it doesn't give any information on how to do this, is this the same problem? Can someone enlighten me?

Many thanks,
Mark

i think that parameter needs to be passed when it says press enter to boot or something for boot options. I cant remember exactly which key it is on ubuntu but it is the first thing that the boot disc asks you

The key for boot options is F1. I tried:
install noapic nolapic install ide=0x180,0x386 and it made no difference.

I re-read the post I linked to and as a long-shot I unplugged my old Richoh MP7040A CD-RW and the installation went fine. It is often useful to have both connected but I'll figure that out later. Apparently Ubuntu's hardware support isn't ass extensive as that of Debian or Knoppix.