For the past few DAYS I've been trying to install Slackware 13.37 on my HP Dimension E521 desktop. I turned down all other Linux distros because I am adamant in learning Linux hard-to-the-core, so to speak; so I am very willing to learn. Seeing as how I ended up here, I obviously have a problem.
My HDD is blank as can be, aside from me partitioning over and over and over(which, I'm sure, isn't great). Keep in mind, though, I do rewipe to get a fresher start.

(The first time I tried to install, I thought I did it fairly well. Everything seemed to be going fine through setup and after install finished I rebooted. I watched the loading bar fill with great anxiety only to see the screen go black afterward, then the computer restarted... and restarted again.)

When I partition the drive, I do it through cfdisk. I create a /boot, /root, /home and swap. The tuts I read did not specify mounting the drives. Now that I mess around with commands like dumpe2fs and fsck and the like, I end up with "bad magic" prompts that no commands I've read about can fix.
In fact, it seems that immediately after I create my partitions, they are corrupted. I cannot mount them, I cannot even inform the kernel of their existence after creation(using other methods besides reboot so I can see prompt telling me such things).

Through cfdisk the partitions automatically become sda type due to SCSI and whatnot. I do not think this is the problem but I'm derp at this kinda stuff and Linux especially. Like I said, I'm willing to learn, so any help at all is mega-appreciated.

If there is a similar post or a tutorial about this subject, I would love to see it. Sorry I didn't have enough time to browse hardcore.
Thanks again, LQ!

Here is a link that may help you install Slackware. It is for 13.1, I used it for 13.37 there are only very minor differences between the install part.

The link ->http://genek.net/LinuxAdventures/sysadmin/index.html

There is a setup section and package management section. All are good, it is easy to follow.

I can not tell if your HDD is working or not. You may just have finger trouble.

Separating /boot from /root is not necessary. It won't hurt, but doesn't buy you much. A /root , /home and /swap are all you need.

During the install process Slackware runs in memory. I have never had to 'mount' a partition during the install phase. From your comments, you partitioned the drive. Did you format the partitions? This adds the file system on each partition. That has to happen before the system can install to the HD.

If you have problems with the link I posted, post back here, and tell us as much as you can about the specific problem. Then we can help.