OK I'm ready for the 'dark side'.

Seems I have a hardware problem somewhere but can't figure it out..

Knoppix boots and runs OK EDIT: Live CD version

Fedora Core 5 - gets to the second or third page, after selecting language and keyboard and then comes up with the following " no device found for new files"

ubunto loads the kernel and you get the bar for the Ubuntu and then it hangs with the following " BusyBox v1.1.3 (Debian1:1.1.3-5ubuntu12) Built-in shell (ash) and then
(initramfs) _(flashing prompt here)

This is an old windows machine that had drives C & D. have formatted D and then removed the partition so there is 70+ Mb of 'unallocated' space available.

Not sure but it looks like the 'unallocated' space is not being recognized by the linux programs.

Any ideas?

E. G.