In the RHEL4 U3 nightly as of Jan 30, 2006, install aborts in the initial text mode section when this drive is connected. Anaconda seems to probe the drive, in which there is currently some random CD. Disconnecting the drive allows the install to run correctly (after a reboot of course). Rawhide (FC5t2+) doesn't seem to have this problem. I've got the hardware in question here in Westford if anyone cares.
How and where does it abort?
Immediately when the first part text mode of the install runs, right before it asks about keyboard layout and language. I can get you the exact error on Thursday, or you can grab the thing from my desk.
Error is: install exited abnormally -- received signal 11 No visible errors on vcs 1 - 9. Anaconda attempts to probe the CD drive and bombs out. Doesn't matter whether there's a CD in the drive or not, same error happens.
Have you tried booting with pci=off ide1=0x180,0x386 as documented in FC4 release notes
That appears to fix the issue.