>> > could it be bad media? > > just a thought I don't believe so -- I've tried booting from 5.0 CD1, 5.1-netinstall, 5.0 custom boot iso, 5.0 DVD and 5.0 PXE boot and using DVD, FTP and HTTP as installation source with no luck. I left my serial cable at work (doh) so I can't try that until tomorrow, unless anyone else has any ideas? Tom