Hardware problem-Black Screen

[kevinlp33]

I'm being tortured by "Black Screen"

I'm new to linux but I've been able to install Fedora Core and Suse on an older 1 Gig. PIII system. My main system is a homebuilt P4 and I would rather dual boot linux with this system. I've been able to install FC4 in text mode but when I reboot the GUI is just an outline and I can't read anything. I can boot Knoppix only in failsafe but even then then when the GUI should come up I get Black Screen with a little fuzz at the top. I've tried the keyboard, mouse and monitor from the older computer, so I know it's not a compatibility problem with those parts. From what I've read online I think it's gotta be a hardware problem or BIOS issue. Here are my specs.

Abit IC7-G Motherboard 875 Intel Chipset
3 Gig P4 OC to 3.4
1 GB PC3700 Kingston RAM
Saffire 9600 Video Card (ATI Chip)
2 80 gig Western Digital Harddrives SATA (RAID 0) - Windows XP Home is installed here
1 Internal 250 gig Western Digital Harddrive SATA - I would like to install Linux Here
1 External 250 gig Western Digital Harddrive - USB
Samsung SyncMaster 955DF Monitor
Logitech Keyboard and Mouse
7 in 1 Media Card Reader

Has anyone had any problems with any of this hardware?
Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[kevinlp33]

Opps
I forgot to mention the Video Card
Saffire 9600

[steve941]

your chipset, overclocked processor and video card are the only problems i can see it relates to. search around a little.. you will probably need special commands for the video card and maybe try not overclocking your cpu.

[fshah]

I have a very similar configuration as yours:
IC7-G
p4 2.6
1gb pc3700 hyperx
radeon 9600 pro 128mb
2x120 seagate sata
1x250 maxtor sata

i am also having the same issues as you are, except i have not tried to boot knoppix. I just downloaded the FC4 cds and tried to boot off of them with the same issued you have.