fwiw cavemann is spot on there.
I am aware things can be very frustrating, especially for newcomers (it is also for me for that matter), trying to figure out what workaround to use for particular hardware.
The 'problem' is that even when things move forward regarding aros, it also introduces more possible solutions. and that list seems to grow, so that as a newbie you can't just get away with simply try one or two of those solutions and hope for the best (my guess is that in the past many people got away with just pure luck on their side).
More possible solutions, means more possible combinations. Since i'm toying with emulated windows lately, i've been reminded of how this was also very true for win9x, and as a result also left users frustrated.
If you have the time and patience for it amigamia, then it is definitely worth the effort.
if things go wrong for me on a plain boot, then my approach is to turn everything off (BIOS, USB, NODMA, NOAHCI, etc.) and start with what many would call a crippled AROS. If that fails, then it is time to call in the experts :).
My main objective is always to be able to start the cd-rom/dvd and as such being able to install Aros/icaros (it never really failed me yet. Some issues regarding newer machines are present though). And from that i try to build up again, preferably with each and every individual option tested, to be able to tell what is the culprit for that specific machine.
In the hope it's useful