Ok, I've installed Linux many times before and this error is a new one to me:

"Error 28: Selected item could not be loaded into memory"

I get that right after the GRUB bootloader after having finished installing the OS.

I installed with custom packages meant for developers.
Set it to use a Nvidia Geforce 2 Go w/ 32mb (possibly the problem?).

System used:

Asus A7N266-VM NVIDIA nFORCE 220 Chipset w/ the video, ethernet, and sound
256mb DDR PC2100
1.2ghz Duron
Old piece of junk 4.3gb HD for running Linux (have my main 40GB HD unplugged)

The first time I got this I tried reinstalling with less packages because I thought I could be taking up too much HD space and not allowing enough for virtual mem.

i also faced the same problem and could not solve yet. but i can use lilo.
try lilo

A guy at work seems to think that the problem may be caused by Linux trying to access a section of the memory being used by the video controller. Haven't tried it again in a while now.