Ok, so I tried install opensuse 11.4 using liveUSB, and I have the same problems.

Somewhere, I must be making some manner of fundamental mistake? Halp!

Sorry not to have been able to help you with this.

It looks like something to do with the SSD.

(Perhaps, try googling for SSD install problems.)

I'm beginning to think it's the SSD as well -.-

Thanks for your help anyway, it seems to be a very peculiar problem, but at least we narrowed down problems, even though it's frustrating as hell to install an OS 15 times in a day! (practice!)

Update: It's not the SSD drive, getting the same results from a regular HD too

Conclusion: it's the install configuration, probably the boot loader, going to try LILO instead of GRUB

Update: using LILO instead of GRUB has no effect.

I've fixed my DVD drive and am trying to use a boot CD with my first version of linux to see if it has any effect.

Ok, booting from DVD doesn't work either.

I also reset BIOS settings to their defaults.

I'm pretty sure the boot loader is screwed somehow, but am running out of ideas fast.

Going to try and flash the BIOS next, wish me luck!

If you haven't already tried to flash the bios; try running 'update-grub' on the installation, (as root).

Haven't read these, but it seems a lot of people are having booting problems with their new SSD :-

https://duckduckgo.com/ search for 'SSD boot problems'

https://www.google.com/search?q=SSD+...nt=iceweasel-a

Also seem to be problems with SuSE 12.1 :-

https://duckduckgo.com/ search for 'OpenSuse 12.1 problems'