suse 9

I have just tried many times to install SuSE 9 on a Sony Vaio PCG FX401, to no avail. After the first CD installs and does the reboot the startup hangs after 'starting PCMCIA'. It becomes totally frozen, a major failure, ehich can only be recoverd by removing battery and mains supply. then restart. But the system then fails at the same place every time. The laptop bios does not support ACPI, and the 'without ACPI' is the only way the installation can be done & this is right from version 8.1 to now. I would appreciate some help. If none is forthcoming then I shall continue with Fedora which is currently installed, or return to Mandrke 9.2