Yes, I was trying to install ZFS, since that seems to be the default in PC-BSD. And I let the system try to take care of disk partitioning. After it crapped out, I booted System Rescue CD, and yes, FreeBSD has tried to setup the disk up as GPT. Prior to trying FreeBSD, I went in and made it an MBR disk. But I guess FreeBSD switched it back.

Thanks everyone. I really think there's something funny about my hardware. So I'll have to wait until I get something else to try it on.

I had booted System Rescue CD, used gparted to set the disk as MBR, and then booted FreeBSD. However, when I selected the ZFS option, that is what it did. I guess my motherboard just doesn't like FreeBSD or PC-BSD. Thanks everyone, I'll just wait until I get another computer.

PC-BSD is very specific in it's requirements - it only installs to zfs and only supports amd64

FreeBSD will give you more flexibility but will require more manual configuration from you to get to a working desktop.

bsdinstall will default to GPT. You should partition manually and set up an MBR. Then, unless you have a specific requirement for zfs (zfs is more than a file system so read up on it and decide if you need it), just create ufs partitions and install. This setup should boot and run ok.

Because you have AMD/ATI hardware I would recommend OpenBSD over FreeBSD but YMMV.

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cynwulf:
Yes, it seemed to me that FreeBSD and therefore PC-BSD preferred Intel over AMD. So I'll wait for a new machine. I wanted to run PC-BSD as an alternative desktop system. So OpenBSD won't work. Thanks for your help.

Ok no worries. All of the *BSD's can be a "desktop system" but it really depends on your needs and expectations.

I'm sure you're right, but I do not have the Unix expertise to make them a desktop system, especially, NetBSD or OpenBSD.