install problems RH6.1

[Laz Kadmon]

My first post to this list. Hope I got it right. My problem: The install log for my pathetic attempts at installing RedHat 6.1 shows many rpm packages fail with the following: 'unpacking of archive failed: cpio: Bad magic"   this occurs firstly with glibc and then many more. The results are a crippled system. After the package install it more or less dies and never builds a boot floppy or LILO.   I can find nothing on the error. Tried different hard drives,etc. Problem is solid. I can boot the system via the install boot(vmlinuz root=......yada) and get logged on as root. However there are missing files in the /etc and other directories. Also the timezone , local time configs won't go. The whole time area is garbage. It always fails to work in the GUI install or the 'text-expert' mode.   Anyone have a clue for this infant?   Regards. Laz Qadmon   ps. I am starting to really really hate looking at that Red Hat. Also the product is getting under my skin with its lack of doc and poor support. Next time I buy a different distribution. Red Hat is fast going to the back of the pack for me. Also they want to deal with IBM. A real losing idea.