I am not completely new to Linux, but I am new to Zorin and and this forum. I believe my question is relevant to all newbies who struggle to find a way to find out where installs in Linux go wrong and where to start trouble shooting.

I installed a 32-bit version of Zorin lite to a Dell optiplex successfully. I later realized that I had a dual-core 64-bit machine so I decided to re-install the full 64-bit version of Zorin . The new 64-bit install seemed to go perfectly till I booted up. The machine locked up solid just after I entered the password.

Mouse and keyboard were dead and the little progress circles froze. Only the power button could unlock it.

I am wondering how far I got in the 6 step process so I know where to start troubleshooting.

As I understand it, the boot process takes place in 6 parts:
1 BIOS - no beeps or honks or Bios warnings and you probably made it past this one
2 MBR - blinking cursor or flashing num lock and you probably made it past this one
3 Grub - if you see a grub choice screen - and you probably made it past this one
4 Kernel ??
5 Init ??
6 run level ??

Since I entered a password, I assume I got as far as the Init level

Can anyone add to this chart or correct any errors. It would be useful for me and others.

Stirlingfan.

If you were trying to log in and it locked up, you completed the boot process.
As far as fixing it.

If it's a fresh install, I might just wipe the disk and try again. If the problem re-occurs, change installation media.

Thanks for your input.

I have tried more than 1 install and the results are always the same. It locks up a few seconds after I enter the password - probably a few seconds before the boot up process complete. The computer locks up both from a trial install and a real install.

Stirlingfan

While it's not impossible the issue is being caused by hardware or software incompatibilities, it's a more likely it's being caused by a bad copy of the installation software on the recording media.

I used A CD for the install. I ran a checksum to make sure the .iso downloaded was good. Then burned the CD/DVD.

However, I will try using a thumb drive,

Thanks

Stirlingfan.

A lot of times, figuring out what's wrong involves a lot of figuring out what isn't.