Fatal Install Issues *resolved*

I know this is a hard one to come up with suggestions for, but I'll try my luck.

I'm trying to install OpenSUSE 10.3 64 bit on my box, which already runs 10.3 32 bit flawlessly, as well as XP.

Trouble is the installer just seems to die at random points in the installation. It has happened during Network Setup, during partitioning and during the actual copying of packages. I've attempted many times already. It's not a hard freeze, as I can still move the animated cursor around, but nothing else happens.

What I've done to eliminate the problem so far:

Checked the md5 checksum of the dowloaded image - ok
Rewritten the DVD disk - ok
Removed the recently added 4GB of ram - no remedy
Loaded bios defaults - no remedy

Box contains

Asus P5K Deluxe MB (Intel P35) with Intel Q6600 (Quad core)
2/6GB of Corsair 800Mhz ram


Any suggestions?

Here is a list of suggestions:-

- check you have latest bios for your motherboard - I have a amd64 am2 board, after one bios update I could no longer run / install any 64 bit distros, only 32 bit linux/windows. -> A bios downgrade fixed it (there is a new one out now that works, also after reporting the issue gigabyte emailed me a beta bios that worked ..)
- Try temporarily disabling HPET in the bios and then install (enable it again after installation and updates)
- You could try to disable apic and acpi from the cd installer command line. or use - Installation - ACPI Disabled
- If still no joy try to re-burn the disc ?

Hope this helps

Thanks a lot for your suggestions, and apologies in advance: I've now successfully installed the 10.3 64 Bit version.

How ? I started the install DVD and tried 'memory test' from the main menu - it produced a blinking cursor in the upper left corner for about 10 minutes and nothing else, then I gave up on it.

I then tried 'firmware test' - it produced an error saying 'could not load kernel'.

I then fiddled around looking for other options, reading the 'system information' pages. I noticed it said I have 5,1 GB RAM. 6GB is installed in the machine.

Trying to look at the kernel produced another error.

For lack of other options I started the Installation again right then and there - and it went through without problems, except it couldn't automatically make my network connection work like the 10.3 32 bit.

I have no idea what has caused these problems, but the installed system ran perfectly. I noticed it said I have 5.1 GB RAM. Is this normal in a 64 bit OS, when you've installed 6 ?

Thanks!

Here is a list of suggestions:-

- check you have latest bios for your motherboard - I have a amd64 am2 board, after one bios update I could no longer run / install any 64 bit distros, only 32 bit linux/windows. -> A bios downgrade fixed it (there is a new one out now that works, also after reporting the issue gigabyte emailed me a beta bios that worked ..)
- Try temporarily disabling HPET in the bios and then install (enable it again after installation and updates)
- You could try to disable apic and acpi from the cd installer command line. or use - Installation - ACPI Disabled
- If still no joy try to re-burn the disc ?

Hope this helps
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Turns out I cheered too early ..

Directly after the install process I logged into KDE and everything looked in its right place The only thing I did after that, is open Yast to have Grub 'merge with existing options' or something like that, to have the boot options of my 10.3 32 Bit installation included.

This I succeeded - 32 Bit options sits firmly in the boot menu and boots this system as it should.

But the 64 Bit options boots successfully ('done' .. 'done' .. etc) a long way, however with an unusually large font, until it ends up at a login prompt. If I try to 'startx' after logging in, it errs saying something like 'process is not running' and '/etc/xorg/x.conf .. file does not exist'.

Strange? Well, I don't think I have more time tonight for playing around, but I'd appreciate your suggestions

I noticed it said I have 5.1 GB RAM. Is this normal in a 64 bit OS, when you've installed 6 ?
[/b]

I've updated my BIOS, even though there should be no need for it .. and it has solved the missing ram issue, which turned out to be reflected in the BIOS as well. No need to blame SUSE. I'll attempt a reinstall soon ..

I've updated my BIOS, even though there should be no need for it .. and it has solved the missing ram issue, which turned out to be reflected in the BIOS as well. No need to blame SUSE. I'll attempt a reinstall soon ..
[/b]

This action seems to have resolved the whole issue: flawless installation, OpenSUSE 10.3 64 running with compiz-fusion.