Greetings all,
I would like to say first that I am noob to the big wide world of Linux, and although it can be difficult, I am having a great time, figuring out the "puzzles"
involved in Linux installs/configurations/etc.
I first started with a Live DVD of SUSE 9.3 pro, but I could not get it to install - it just kept rebooting.

One of my friends suggested Slackware, and after a
little research and a free download, I finally installed Slackware 10.2 with the Linux 2.4.31 kernel. The only way I can get it to load at boot: after install
is to use the nohotplug option at boot.
I have yet to get my USB to work, along with my speedtouch DSL modem (USB connected), and
I have tried rebuilding the kernel at this page, linux-usb.org/SpeedTouch/slack/ but Slackware doesn’t not see my USB (maybe because my hotplug hangs)
there is nothing in my /proc/bus/usb/devices.... so this seems pointless.

I thought that installing another distro may help alleviate the problem, but I can get nothing else to install. I tried SUSE, Mandrake 9.1, Mandriva 2006, and it seems Knoppix
won't even load. It keeps rebooting after loading the install kernel (or just hanging), even if I use noauto, nohotplug options (depending on the flavor of distro).
I also noticed that if I tried to build and compile a new kernel of 2.6 in Slackware as I have tried several times referencing digitalhermit.com/linux/Kernel-Build-HOWTO.html)
,as soon as the new kernel loads, I get the same reboot or hang.

My computer is a HP Pavillion a712n with:
845GV mobo w/ onboard NIC, Sound, video
1GB or ram
PCI NVIDIA card (although Slackware works with both PCI and onboard card)
Pentium 4 proc
80GB HD
LCD screen
I have been googling all over the internet and looking in forums for about 2 weeks now, found many possible solutions, but none that worked.
I think its time for me to break down and ask for help.
I understand that this is not the ideal computer for Linux, but I would like to figure this out if possible (with some of your help of course.) plus I am pretty sure it is possible, because
a similar HP model with similar specs is offered with Mandrake 9.1. (The HP d220 Micotower.)
Any Ideas that any of you have would be more than appreciated?

I just realized that this is kind of a long posting so, I apologize, but I wanted to relay the problem correctly.
Thanks,

Try installing Fedora Core 4, It has good support for the hardware you listed and (from personal experience) works great for hotplugging USB devices, I swap external drives, game controllers etc on an ABIT SG72 which is very similar to your setup without a problem.
The install is as easy as mandriva and the distro is pretty solid with good support

I have a Compaq Presario with an 845GV chipset and so far the only Linux that works is SUSE 9.1 under safe options install. Is there another Linux Distro that I can use? I have tried Fedora 4, Mandriva 2006, Knoppix, and Red Hat 7.3. The computer just goes to initializing, then reboots.

Try changing you BIOS settings (F10 ??). Set the CD/HDDs to a lower PIO mode, and DMA. Set plug n play to NON PnP OS (usually found in the PCI settings. Sometimes, linux will have problems with these being set to default (which is PnP OS & highest setting for PIO/DMA) also, (with FC4) run the memory checker which you can find by selecting F2, (I believe, might be F3). tet your memory/and the CDs/DVD and make sure that they are up to par.