I am using Windows and I am trying to install a Linux version as a second OS.
I have installed a boot manager and a hard disc partition is ready for the Linux (40GB primary partition with ext2 file system and 1 GB logical partition for Linux swap).
My system has:
AMD 3000+ 64 bit processor
ASUS A8N-SLI DELUXE M/B, nVidia nForce 4 SLI chipset
200GB SATA hard disc Seagate
1GB=2x512MB DDR 400
Graphic card ASUS ATI X600-PRO 128MB (not SLI)

First I tried to install Mandrake Linux 9.2 (64 bit). The installation begins and the mouse seems to be installed correctly. Then, the installation stops and it cannot continue when I try to find a driver for Disc/SCSI devise (strangely, I don’t have a SCSI device). No driver is compatible and the process cannot go on, no matter what driver (from a given list) I choose. I also tried the text mode, but the same problem appeared.

When I asked for help from the forum, they told me to try another version (newer) of Mandrake. So I download the MandrakeLinux 10.2 (Limited Edition 2005).

Unfortunately, it seems that a similar problem arises for this version too. The mouse is installed automatically and after the language settings the following message appears and the installation stacks again:
“Installing driver for hard drive controller nVidia Corporation|CK804 Serial ATA controller”
When I used the text mode, the same message appeared followed by the message: “disabling IRQ #10”, and the procedure stacked again.
Then I updated my bios hopping that I could solve this problem.
Unfortunately, the same problem appeared, the only difference was that the message was changed to “disabling IRQ #12”.

It looks like that the program has a problem to establish drivers for the hard disc. From the messages I assume that maybe there is a conflict among interrupts.
Does anyone have some ideas about this problem, or should I try another Linux?

I'm using Mandriva 2005 LE right now and I've never heard of that problem occuring. Try mailing the Mandriva people so that they may be able to help you, otherwise yeah, I would try another Linux distro.

disable APIC mode from BIOS

Thanks for the tip, I disabled APIC support and the first obstacle was overcome. I appreciate your assistance.

I know this is a late question. Many of the issues faced here, I am facing now.
I have a system with the A8N SLI momboard w/ a single 40GB SATA Western Digital drive. I have the dual GeForce 6600 PCIe video cards with a Lite-On DVD drive. I have no ancilliary IDE drives. I do have 4GB of Ultra PC3200 4x1024MB RAM. I am using the AMD 64 3200 Dual Core.
I defaulted the BIOS to the most basic defaults to load the AMD64 version of Mandriva 2006 x64.
I picked the "vgalo" install from the "F1" choices. I also tried "text" install, in case it was video issue.
I am trying now the best combination of BIOS settings to allow me to install to the SATA.
Comments/Guidance please.

64bit and Sata drives did not work until 10.1 to my knowledge
and then at this version apache2.0 didn't work either maybe newer 64 bit versions
do now work for apache.

i have had no problems with sata drives from 64 bit 10.1 rc1 onwards.