ibm and linux

i thought ibm and linux would be a perfect team when choosing my new home-server. but now i am trying to install linux on an ibm netvista a40 for about two days and didnt succeed. i tried debian, archlinux, crux and yoper. i once got archlinux and yoper running, but they were kinda unstable. during all installations and even while running knoppix the pc rebooted once in a while. it seems to have something to do with some kernel driver i think. the hardware is fine, i tested everything with pc doctor (a tool provided by ibm). i tried searching for error-reports like mine, but i only found sites where people stated they successfully installed debian on this type of hardware. perhaps i should give it a last try.