Machine locks in "Probing devices..." (4.9-RELEASE)

[Lowell Gilbert]

"Carlos A. Carnero Delgado" <texel at icrt.cu> writes:

> I'm installing 4.9-RELEASE into a (marginally) older Compaq computer
> (Presario 7000 series, Pentium III 1GHz). Well, booting off the CD doesn't
> work (a 4.8-RELEASE disc does); so I had to go with the floppy method.
> 
> Way after the MFS is loaded, this machine seems to lock up in the "Probing
> devices" phase. How much time does that take?

That depends.  On a lot of things.  

> Is there a way for me to see what's locking up the probing?

Looking at what's printed just before the lockup would help.
Posting it here might help even more.