Here's my configuration:

Code:
Using /dev/hda
(parted) print
Disk geometry for /dev/hda: 0.000-28615.781 megabytes
Disk label type: msdos
Minor    Start       End     Type      Filesystem  Flags
1          0.031  27988.242  primary   ext3        boot
2      27988.242  28615.781  primary   linux-swap
The ext3 partition had to be flagged active or "Hard disk boot sector invalid" would hang me up every time. Maybe it has something to do with the antiquated BIOS on this old gateway solo 1200 laptop. In fact the touchpad stopped working w/kernel 2.6.11 unless I tacked on these cheatcodes: acpi=off and psmouse.proto=imps

While trying to iron out these probs I discovered KANOTIX which I liked just that much better for my HD install since its installer walks you through creating a default user account, sets root pass. Nice GUI login screen, uses KDE 3.4 yum!, etc...