First things first... I know nothing about linux. I just need it for Uni.

I can install Mandrake 10.2 alright if I use 'linux noauto' when loading the installer. It doesn't detect my hard-drive, so I have to manually install drivers. I have no idea which drivers to install, but I found an article on google which suggested the ata_piix driver. So I chose that, and it installed fine... detected free space on my hard-drive and everything. So, I installed it there.

Then it rebooted. I tried to load linux and I get the error:

kernel panic - not syncing: no init found. Try passing init= option to kernel.

Mandrake 10.2 worked once. A few months ago. On a different motherboard (does that matter?) It was replaced by a certified technician. It worked then as I installed 10 random drivers for my hard-drive. I can't remember which ones.

Anyway, could anyone direct me to fixing this kernel panic problem? I do not know how to edit any config files, whether I'm using lilo/grub (it's the pretty light blue one?) or in general how to do anything in linux.

Thanks very much.

Check out http://forums.scotsnewsletter.com/ for Mandrake and Mandriva step by step install guides. Mandrake10.2 manual would be great too. Research the specs on your lappy model and read those install guides and ask your questions after you know your lappy. Maybe a fellow student guru can help you. Careful please

I have some more information on the problem:

mount: error 6 mounting ext3 flags noatime

I am pretty sure it can find my hard-drive ok, it says stuff about it when it boots. My friend came over and tried to do some stuff, but he kept coming up with the error:

could not find your root device.

If anyone has any ideas on how to fix this, let me know please. I've googled so much I can't google no more.

Heeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeelp meeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee.