Very Computer

I have a thinkpad a30 with the following specs:
P3/1G;128MEG RAM,CD-RW/DVD,2 internal harddrives.
The 2nd harddrive is off an ultrabay , so is the cd-rw.
I am installing linux on 2nd drive as follows:
1st drive : hda : 30gig
2nd drive: hdb :15gig.
/ partition size 1500megs.
I am trying to install to the second harddrive:hdb.
The install goes fine , bootloader apparently gets installed to /dev/hdb1.
I only have 2 partitions on the 2nd harddrive.: / and swap.
/ is bootable via fdisk.

However no matter I use lilo or grub ..the machine gets hung at lilo or
grub.
At installation everything gets recognized , the cd as well as the drive.
Have tried several times with no luck.

Thanks

Mike