Problems partitioning during install

[john levin]

Robert Aldridge wrote:
> This probably isn't an Ubuntu-specific issue, but thought I'd start here to
> see if someone could help...
> 
> My mom's Windows 98 PC is hosed, so I offered to put Ubuntu on it for her.
> She mainly has the computer so the grandchildren can play simple games on it
> (No latest/greatest accelerated 3D stuff.  Just fun, simple games for the
> kids.)  So, I take an Ubuntu 5.10 install CD and boot from it.  When it gets
> to the point where it should bring up the "Partition Disks" screen, it seems
> to be detecting disks and the progress meter goes to 100%, then the same
> screen repeats but this time the progress meter only goes to 52% where it
> hangs.  I tried multiple times but couldn't get past this.  This is a
> stand-alone box that isn't connected to any network.  Does the installer
> need to pull something from the network to get the partitioner to work?  I
> couldn't imagine it having this limitation, but am tempted to take the PC
> back to my place and plug it in to my router during the install.
> 

The Ubuntu install disc doesn't require a network connection to work. 
Have you tried the Ubuntu live cd, and/or Knoppix on this box?
What was wrong with the Win98 installation? This all sounds to me like a 
dodgy hard drive.
And can you give some technical specs - make, chip, memory, graphics card?

John