Why does my system freeze at partitioning part of install?
 

I would love someone to give me some clues as to where I can begin to look for help with this problem.

I have successfully used live cd versions of Kubuntu & Mandriva, but when I try to install them I get as far as starting to partition and the system freezes.
I am attempting to install it to the second hdd (80GB), because XP is on the first one & I thought it safer to protect my Windows from my own Linux ignorance - after all the freezes & hangs I am now even more concerned about trying to install it to my XP drive!!
I have run all manner of diagnostics on the hard drive - including the manufacturers (Maxtor) intensive scan.

My system is:
Athlon 64 3200+
1024 MB RAM
1 x 200 GB SATA hdd
1 x 80 GB IDE hdd
2 x DVD +/- RW drives

fingers and toes crossed in anticipation of someone shedding light on my problems!!

take a look at this: Mandrk10: only see SATA drive, IDE drive invisible! [solved]

thanks, but that doesn't apply to me - the installer sees the drive & I have tried all the different methods for partitioning (using LVM, using free space etc etc) ....

It is when the partitioner starts to partition the drive that the system freezes - and it does the same for Mandriva One, Kubuntu 64 & 32, Kubuntu alternate CD.

The only thing I have found is that, when I look in Windows disk management - each time I try it there is evidence that the partitioning has partially worked, but each time with different results!?!?!