Install of Mint 12 32-bit KDE stalls while configuring

[joetke]

Context: 2 hard disks. master with a kubuntu linux. I want to install Mint on the slave HD using a bootable install USB stick.
Things went well (format and copy files OK) until the configuring phase (during install). It stalled at "Configure target system...20%" during minutes, vainly.
I would want to know whether this step might last over 25 minutes (I doubt it's normal) and what is install doing by "configuring target system".
Thanks for all suggestions. I've read last 30 posts about installation but couldn't really find an adequate answer.
PS: Live USB drive was OK though

[jimbob80]

Hello,
I have had this issue before.

Are you booting into Linux Mint system from USB and then installing or installing from the boot menu?
Are you attempting to manually set up the slave partition?
Are you installing while connected to the network?

I have noticed that I had strange stalling issues when I selected to install from the boot menu. Therefore, I had to boot into the OS live from the USB and then select install.

I also had similar stalling issues when manually configuring partitions. I noticed that the install was problem free when installing from the live OS on the USB and allowing Linux Mint to install automatically on the designated HDD.

I also had further stalling when connected to the network, as it would attempt to download and simply stall.

I suggest booting from the USB, running Linux Mint from the USB, selecting install, allowing it to automatically install. If the problem persists, maybe try the install without network connection too.

My problems may simply have been laptop specific, but this may help you.

[joetke]

Thank you Jim for sharing your experience. I'll try to be the most accurate as possible.
I follow the simplest way, IMHO, to install Mint from the USB key i.e.
1) boot from it
2) enter x-window normally
3) click on install
What I've forgotten to mention last time, sorry, is that I allowed Mint to install auto-magically on a HD which already has a 5Gig fat32 partition, telling him to keep it as is. What it really happened when I reboot after install stalled: my fat32 partition's still there.
Secondly, I have a living internet connection.
Following your advice, I'm going to suspend my connection during the install. If I came across the same problem, I'll install Mint directly from the loader page.
It would be a pity if it ever failed, because I like the environment and the ability to install additional applications.
Thanks again Jim.
From Strasbourg, France