I've been trying to do an install of Ubuntu for a while. It took me a
while to sort out some problems from the power dropping out after 10
to 30 seconds after booting. It's a laptop, it boots just fine with
only the battery. Then I had to turn off the acip, and then mess with
the video settings. Now it boots off the disc wonderfully. I figure
that it must have been the initial rush of current supplying the hard
drive and CD drive starting up is too much for it.

My latest problem happens when I actually do the install. I can get
all the way to setting the keyboard, then the install stops doing
anything. it's not locked up, because I can cancel, or play a card
game, whatever. it just dims the forward and back button. The hard
drive and CD both do something for a time, then stop. I haven't been
able to get it to get any further then that. I can go into the
preference menu and set the time and keyboard settings with no
problem, in that it does something then comes back without being
forced.

Is this a case of not enough room on the hard drive? Should I
reformat?