Can't mount /dev/hdc during install?

Question

Hi,
I've inherited a Dell Precision 410 computer (PIII, perhaps 6 years old?).  It currently has
an older version of RedHat installed and I'm attempting to install Arch.  The Arch CD boots
and loads vmlinuz and goes through screenfulls of initialization info.  It gets down
to loading the add-on modules and pauses; then it comes back and says
"Can't mount /dev/hdc -- (Empty media?)" and drops me at the "#" prompt with the
message to enter "loaddisk /dev/hdc" if I need extra modules.   I attempt that and I
get the same "Can't mount hdc" message.  I can enter "/arch/setup" and get the
initial menu, but since no modules are loaded my network card is not working, etc.
How can the bootup and menus work, but yet /dev/hdc (which is the CDROM itself)
not be mountable?  If I boot the old Redhat, I see the link "/dev/cdrom --> /dev/hdc". 
If I start Gnome and insert the Arch CD, it automounts (under /dev/hdc) and
I can browse the CD contents (including the add-ons folder) and see all the files.
I have used the same CD to install Arch on another non-Dell computer so I believe
the media is OK.
Clues as to how/why /dev/hdc is causing a problem during vmlinuz startup?
Thanks in advance,
Roggie Boone

Answer 1

Problem solved ... looks like it was either a defective CDROM drive or just one
that the kernel did not recognize.  I salvaged a Lite-On drive from another
computer and Arch was able to mount it as /dev/hdc during the install.
Roggie