I am trying to install Debian on a new (old) computer, more precisely a Dell Dimension 4400 that I have received from a friend.
Everything during the installation runs fine, until I get to choose which components to install (base system, desktop and so on).
When I've chosen desktop and base system and pressed enter, the installer shows a progress bar and loads the application 'LOADLIN'. After that, the progress bar is stuck at 5% with a text that says: "Please wait". During this time, both the computer and the modem seem to be idle. The computer does not make any progress even if I leave it for 1 hour.

I have tried with a burned Debian netinstall-disc, and a burned full Debian Etch-disc, without any success.

Is there anyone who recognizes this problem, or maybe can make a qualified guess?
Most parts in the computer is old (2001) except from the HDD which is about a half year old.

Thanks in advance
/Rahiiyja

Furthermore, I am curious if a BIOS that does not explicitly have USB memory as a choice for the boot sequence, but that has the option "replaceble drives", would be able to use a USB memory for booting?