First computer one month ago.Started trying linux two weeks ago.Knoppix loads and runs.Have done full install of Fedora 4 about twenty times w/various packages.Tried Ubuntu several times.Could they be incompatable with Athalon AMD 64 processor? Also, to protect windows XP, I unplugged the OEM sata hd and loaded linux into a USB sata hd storage device.
A month ago I didn't know what cut and paste even meant. I'm reading books, but am ignorant about all the technical jargon and may be making basic mistakes.
If the problem is 64bit incompatability,what would be a good linux to try-for a beginner? Is X86-64 similar to AMD-64?
I did not know I was buying 64bit,it was just the best deal.Has 1 GB RAM. How best to learn linux jargon?
Thank you for any help. I will be slow responding,must go to small library, occasionally open,
to go online.
P.S. I'm thrilled with the linux concept!!

I suggest you try compiling compiling kernel - get instructions first though, and read it very carefully. It might be wise to change nothing except the CPU Processor selection. You should be able to boot using a Knoppix CD, then mount hard drive and cd to that drive's /usr/src/ directory and compile etc. Don't forget to change menu.lst in /boot/grub or whatever and run lilo if you use it not grub.

Cheers

Thanks MazinOz.I did not know I could change CPU processor selection.Do you mean I can select CPU to run @ 32 bits instead of 64? Would I look for this choice with Windows XP,with knoppix,or with Fedora 4 installation?Through which application or directory or whatever?

If you're using a athlon 64 processor the x86-64 should work, though running 32 bit is also possible. It shouldn't be necessary to have to recompile the kernel though.

I think I remember reading somewhere that booting using a usb hard drive can sometimes cause some problems, I think it's because the usb ports aren't necessarily active until an os has been booted. There might be a way to change this so you can use usb though.

If not it's reasonably safe to partition your hard drive and install onto that drive. Just make sure to back up anything important on windows just to be safe. Lots of information is available about how to do this if you look into dual booting.

Mcmillan, thank you for your ideas.I did try entering BIOS and selecting the usb hd,and grub usually starts, then quits with an error. I've wondered if grub is where the 64bit icompatabillity problem lies.

(same reply continued-Mcmillan answer)
I will pursue your internal hd idea if windows will stop preventing me from doing what I wish.My new windows drove me to look for alternatives in the first place!Will grub get loaded into the windows BIOS?
Meanwhile, I found a Ubuntu 5.1 for AMD 64( for sale @ OSDisc.com) and ordered it. I need cd's or dvd's -I'm not on line. When they arrive I will keep you posted.Thanks again.

Miah in Maine (USA)

I suggested recompiling kernel as 'kernel panic' messages are
often associated with not selecting the correct processor in the kernel. However other things can also lead to this error message. It may be because you are using a usb drive to boot. Can you boot into Fedora using the hard drive or do you get this message? If you get this message you may need to change the processor setting in the kernel or you can do it to optimise it.
Download instructions from the internet for Fedora. They are also included in the kernel tar file, which you can read if you
use tar or bunzip2 to unzip it. Back up everything first though so it can be restored if you stuff up - which unfortunately is not uncommon. ONLY modify processor selection at first. Running at 64 bits for an Athlon processor should not be a problem. Most linux distros change the menu selection for you and don't wipe your windows partition unless you tell them to do so when you
install linux. Windows on the other hand doesn't like linux and can happily trash everything if you reinstall it. You compile the kernel using Fedora on your internal hard drive. There are too many steps involved and some distros have a twist on it, hence download instructions from internet for Fedora.

Cheers

MazinOz, thanks for clarifying that the kernal is where I should look for that elusive processor setting. I used a DVD installation that I now know was compiled for 32bit CPU.
After repartitioning my USB hd about 30 times,I had enough experience to try my windows internal (OEM) hard drive again, this time sucessfully! I'm trying to (im)patiently wait for my Ubuntu AMD64 platform installation CD to arrive, so I can eliminate one variable by installing a GRUB boot loader compiled for AMD64.If I can get something up and running that will boot from the hard drive I'll be happy
and in a better position to experiment.
I look forward to being online sometime so I can download information.Not practical at this time. Will report my results.

Cheers, mate!
Miah in Maine

mcmillan,
Your initial diagnosis was correct! The problem was NOT incompatability with the AMD 64 processor. It was caused by trying to boot from the USB hard drive. MazinOz backed you up on this idea.
When my Kubuntu AMD 64 CD arrived I'd already installed a second internal hd (blank). But I installed Kubuntu on the USB drive just as a test. It panicked!
I then installed it on the internal drive and it booted O.K.
I then erased it and installed Fedora 4 made for a 32-bit processor and it worked perfect so far-seems stable and seems to be a very good O.S.
My conclusion is that the AMD 64 processor has no trouble running various distros compiled for 32 bit processors.Also the platform AMD64
varieties I tried seemed buggy and developemental. So for now I will stick with the older versions while I am starting out.
Thank you both for your help. I wish I could share the great feeling when FC-4 booted up and ran for the first time! Thanks to all who help newbies struggle through starting out.
Miah

Where did my paragraphs go? Makes it hard to read!