Install: never get past an initial black screen

[Eric Miller]

Hi all,

I've read through the archives and haven't seen anyone else with the same
problem that I'm having, thought I'd try asking the list directly.

I have a Pismo (500) running 10.3, which was an upgrade from a fresh install
of 10.2 with space left for YDL.  I had run the 10.2.8 updater so I might be
running into a problem there.  I'm using the 11/18 ISO and have already made
sure that the open firmware password is off.  The machine does not have
Classic on it.

When putting in the install CD, I never get past an initial black screen.
Can't boot at all.  It won't let me boot Debian or Gentoo either, for that
matter.

Don't know if this is related: For whatever reason, after my recent
reformat/reinstall the Pismo is requiring that I use the option key to
select a boot volume.  That's the only way I can select the OS X volume or
the CD for boot.

Any help/ideas appreciated.  Thanks!

Eric