[KidKiwi]

Greeetings,

I just built a new Zotac Ion box http://forum.xbmc.org/showthread.php?tid=78903

I have tried to load both xbmcfreak-10.08-svn32696-lucid1.iso and xbmc-9.11-live-repack.iso via USB without success. It booted to a menu but was inconsistent on what it did when I tried the various options. (Boot using USB drive was selected in BIOS)

After playing for several hours, I switched out the USB for a DVD-ROM and made a DVD-iso of both versions above.

Using Lucid 10-08 I suddenly got a proper menu (like I saw in my Virtual PC when I tested it). Selecting the option to load to disk (and various others), the installer seemed to start then just stopped with a flashing cursor. Some of the options seemed to fire off some code and then again stop with a flashing cursor.

I don't know where to go from here. I've read a lot of posts trying to find what steps to now take, without any success. I'm a Linux Noob completely, so I really have no clue. I need some help. Much appreciated. Thx.

Edit: I realise there isn't a lot of info here for a help situation. I've looked at all the bios settings and nothing stands out - not that it would mean much. I can get the selection menu from the Live part but all selections seem to end the some way - a blinking cursor. The only part that seems to work is the mem-test

Update: After review in the biso setup for the 50th time and without changes after selecting "Install XBMCLive" I got to a menu that asked for a Language selection. I chose, then was taken to a Country selection. I selected, then the screen went blue with a grey bar across the bottom. I left it running for ages, but it never continued to do anything from there

[poofyhairguy]

Will you do me a favor and try a plain Ubuntu Live ISO?

[KidKiwi]

I'm assuming a blank DVD is as good as a blank CD? That is...the setup isn't expecting just a CD??

[poofyhairguy]

Hmm.. I don't think that could be it. But I don't know. I have never tried.

[russg]

During the install you should be able to use "CTRL+Alt+F1" for the text console and F1 - F6 I think and one of them shows the console msgs while installing.

I think F1 is the install msgs.. but its been a while since I used it.

[KidKiwi]

Since you got through the hard drive partitioning part of setup, you don't need any drivers... it should be installing just fine.

I never reached this part of the install??

[KidKiwi]

During the install you should be able to use "CTRL+Alt+F1" for the text console and F1 - F6 I think and one of them shows the console msgs while installing.

I think F1 is the install msgs.. but its been a while since I used it.

These buttons don't do anything during the install!

[KidKiwi]

Right. I seemed to get a little further with using a CD, but NOT much.

I cannot seem to load a full ubuntu version either.

I went and got a new USB drive, but still no luck. Using it with the "Universal USB-Installer" (as an alternative to Unetbootin) I though I was going to succeed - but it reached a point the thing just stopped.

I tried a different brand of CD's burned at the lowest rate - still no go!

I have enable "Video Resume from S3" in the bios - that seemed to make things better, although still no go.

I used a "Failsafe Defaults" in the bios - No go!

I'm stumped?

Could it be some Bios setting? Some H/W conflict?

One error message that I have seen is "error_code+0x73/0x80". Googling brought up a lot of questions, but NO answers. Some appeared to hint at it being a video problem? The video is onboard, so what do I do? COuld it be the CRT monitor I have it connected to?

Thx to all those who have offered suggestions.

@PHG - how come your system installed as it should when our set-ups are almost identical??

Oh...and guess what! I stuck in a Windows CD - and it worked like it should do and loaded up until the disc partitioning part. Not a single issue.

[vikjon0]

I'm assuming a blank DVD is as good as a blank CD? That is...the setup isn't expecting just a CD??

Hmm.. I don't think that could be it. But I don't know. I have never tried.

I guess this info is a bit late...but for future ref I got into trouble when using a DVD once, the installation started but the packages could not be loaded. I only tried once though..so not 100% sure.

[russg]

http://www.inquisitor.ru/download.html

Run some hardware diagnostics. May be a bad memory module.

[KidKiwi]

http://www.inquisitor.ru/download.html

Run some hardware diagnostics. May be a bad memory module.

I grovel at your feet oh wise one . You were correct. Appears the issue was a corrupted memory module. Funny thing is, I ran the memory test early on, but I never left it running long enough to discover the corruption. I've taken out the offending dimm and now everything is loaded - yippee!! I'm almost dancing around the room

I'll have to get a replacement dimm as currently I'm only running in single channel mode. It still booted quick though.

I'm a happy camper! Thx for the comments all

Now time for some countless hours in setup. And my remote worked straight away