Linux install on Presario 7478

Hi,
Trying to install RH 8 on Presario with DVD and CD/ROM, 256M memory and
standard graphics card, 30G drive. (W95 is sharing the space -
partitioned with Partition Magic successfully).

I load the bootable CD into the DVD drive. Install starts, asks which
mode (I choose text) then it seems to go into a loop waiting for the
drive, from which it never recovers. Lots of ATA resets? Any suggestions
on how to 'kick' the process along? What is puzzling is that the OS
installer loads fine from the CD at power up, so it seems to know what
kind of driver is needed.

Thanks for any suggestions,
MAB
(cross-posted in various linux forums)