Laptops :: Boot freezes after hd install

After hd install to HP Omnibook 600, boot freezes at the following:

Autoconfiguring Devices...............................................................Done.
Mouse is Generic Mouse (PS/2) at /dev/psaux
Soundcard: [MagicMedia 256AV Audio] driver=nm256_audio

I managed the hd install via a failsafe boot from boot floppy/usb drive. I'm assuming it is some sort of hw detection issue, but not sure where to go from here.

Computer specs: PII 300mhz, 96MB Ram

original here.