im a linux newbie - just starting out.

I've tried red hat and that installed OK, but wouldn't boot up to the login screen.

But now im trying mandrake, and i get an error message near the start of installation. I've searched for it, and it seems common.

So what i want to know is that is there a solution for this problem? or not?

I launch the graphical installation, a dialog box says "Detecting USB devices", seconds after thew error appears and is

"Could not uncompress second stage ramdisk. This is probably an hardware error while reading the data (this may be caused by a hardware failure or a linux kernel bug"

While searching this error, i have found people talking about it and that they have had the same problem, but is there anyone with a solution?

Thanx, Ashley.

Some Computer Info:
P3 1Ghz processor
512 MB Memory

Other Info:
Installing on blank HDD (unpartioned at the moment)

As we speak some of us are now installing 9.2. However I assume 9.1 for you and assume you are over writing your prev rh?

could you post exactly when this error occurs and if you know how can you go into your bios and check for any settings that relate to plug N play, have them turned OFF not on for linux.