[ILUG] Problems on startup - amd

[Jim Graham]

Full install on a clean HDD (Celeron 400, ATI Rage IIC, IDE 6.5GB HDD)

On bootup the amd takes an age to load before finally getting an OK.   At
first I thought the machine had hung.

Later when running Linuxconf I get an error on exiting about amd not
responding.

Some questions

What is amd?
Do I need it?
If I don't who do I stop it loading
If I do need it why the long delay and Linuxconf errors?

Warning I'm a newbie!

Thanks