HD Install :: booting problem

after all the hardware drivers load correctly, the CD hangs saying "scanning for hardisk partition and creating /etc/fstab..."
what should I do ?

....also how can I get to the xterminal ?

I am not sure specifically. I would try using the boot code 'failsafe'. If you are able to boot with this than you can mix and match the following boot codes that make up 'failsafe' to determine what specifically was your problem.

dsl vga=normal atapicd nosound noapic noacpi acpi=off noscsi noapm nousb nopcmcia nofirewire noagp nomce nodhcp

Hope this helps.

I typed what you suggested and I get the same message: "scanning for hardisk partition and creating /etc/fstab..."

it loads the drivers and everything but at the end it hangs on this message.

Do you have to format or partition the HD before installing DSL ?
Is there an ISO that i can download and put on a CD that will allow me to partition the HD ? (i don't have windows)

Try booting with:

failsafe nofstab

and see if you can get up and running.

original here.