Multimedia :: Repeating 99's instead of boot

DSL 3.0.1 boots and runs great on this Compaq Armada 3500. I performed a HD install, and it worked well to - for about an hour. After a couple of success full restarts, I shut the laptop down, and powered on a couple of hours later.

Now, I simply get a the following character sequence on the screen within several seconds of power on:

L 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99

The 99's repeat for several lines, then the system simply stops responding. Attempting the install several times again does not solve the issue. I cannot get the install to take, even though it initially worked.

Ideas?

oops ... wrong forum ... reposting under HD Install

original here.