Hi, I'm currently an Ubuntu user but I want to try out Debian.

Let's see I downloaded the newest sarge iso and burned the image to CD.

When I attempt to install to my system the installer is unable to setup dhcp automatically. That's not too much of a problem. However, right after this step the install hangs at detecting my discs. I can't remember the exact screen but it is something similar to 'Detecting disks'. The percentage bar has hung at 38% many successive install attempts.

All help is appreciated. Thanks!

Also, I have two hard drives. One is IDE the other is SATA. I'm planning on installing Debian to the ide drive.

Did you try unplugging the SATA drive for now?

The sarge installer seems to have issues with S-ATA. You could do what I did, install with an etch install cd.

debian.org/devel/debian-installer/

Of course it's not as thoroughly tested as stable, so I should probably come up with some disclaimer telling you that I'm not responsible for the death of your machine...

Also, don't forget to type linux26 at the boot: prompt for sarge. You'll get a 2.6 kernel which should be able to handle SATA

This may not matter, but I'm planning on installing Debian not to my Sata drive but to my ide drive.

Do I still need to use the linux26 command?

linux26 will just give you a newer kernel (which you may want for your newer hardware anyway). It's kind of up to you. But if you don't unplug the SATA drive, it may help keep your install from hanging since it will at least know what the drive is. You may need it anyway since I'm sure somewhere in your hardware is a SATA controller...

Another thing I've read is that if the newer kernel fails, some BIOS let you change from SATA mode to an IDE emulator mode. Not sure where to find it in BIOS or what it would be called...

What is your pc or lappy model? What motherboard and what controller chips does it use? Review debian netinstaller or sarge installer documentation.
Ubuntu5.10 is based on latest sid. Doesn't that suggest that ubuntu kernel version should be used? From ubuntu terminal sudo lspci,lsmod and dmesg | less should give the hw info. Or pc manual or windows device manager or google pc model can supply info too. Good luck.

Using the boot parameter linux26 worked like a charm. I was able to have both my hard drives detected-- sata and ide. Thanks, pljvaldez