Ok, so Ive resized my NTFS system that holds XP. I now have 31 GB's free and unallocated.

I run FC3's first disk and get to the boot prompt. Ive hit enter and have attempted the following commands:
linux text
linux skipddc
linux noprobe
linux resolution 1024x768

but nothing I do gets past the system hang shortly after the boot prompt.

Any suggestions?

Could this hanging issue be related to the drivers for ATI I have?

I really wish to get past this hang - and install FC.

Thanks

I just tried to install BOTH Ubuntu and FC3 and they BOTH hang shortly after the boot prompt.. at exactly the same time and exactly the same way. Now I know this is something within and not a faulty burn.. what is the problem that Im overlooking?

So you can't even get to the install section? Sounds a silly question but how old is your drive? I have an old DVD drive on one of my computers, can not get it to read DVD+R DVD+RW, CD-RW and it sometimes has a problem with CD R!

A good way to test your hardware is by using Knoppix or a similar live distro, if these load then the hardware is probably fine. I always test friends computers before 'Nixing them with one of these, lets me know where probs my occur. Also could you list your mobo and Bios, I had issues with FC3 on another computer as the motherboard / processor was incompatible, there is a work around for this, the kernel was incorrect, although I am surprised to see the same prob with 2 distros, is the Ubuntu Hoary Hedgehog?

From the unoficial Fedora Faq

http://www.fedorafaq.org/

try booting the installer with one of the following commands:

linux ide=nodma

linux acpi=off

linux i8042.nomux

linux acpi=off apm=off

I just tried each of them.. nothing.. please tell me this problem can be fixed..

Can't get to the install section. This system is less than 4 months old. Reads DVD+RW just fine.

I suppose I could try the Ubutunu live distro? Motherboard - how do I find out this info? Ill post back with the BIOS name in a sec. Yes, Hoary..

Thank you for the help

edit: After hitting F2 at boot, I get into CMOS but the BIOS is unidentified... how to find out?

should tell you at the very start of booting, will say something like Award or such followed by a number. Your Motherboard should be listed in your computer manuals. If it is a K7S8X / K7S8XE from ASRock and you have the 2.20 BIOS, you will almost certainly need to update the BIOS my first Linux install on this computer gave me very similar results to your problem and this solved it permanantley so hopefully this is the same issue you have

I don't have a paper manual, I have one on cd and it does not include the motherboard names. I will find the BIOS update link and try that.

BIOS didn't really have a name except maybe DCL56X1 or something similiar to that... it is however, outdated. The new date on the manufacturer site lists a recent update but I have to wait til Monday to contact them as the their site is having issues.


Ok, hopefully this should be the solution then... thank you Mike

Don't thank me just yet, let's make sure the computer is working first!! Let me know how things progress, fingers are crossed