insmod error
 

:jawa: Hey all,
I am extremely new to linux,working in the IS department i know windows like the back of my hand.I thought learning linux would give me a nice balance.Anyways, I thought i would start out with SimplyMepis 6.0.1 since i could use the live CD without trashing my windows operating system. I am running an HP vectra 866 mhz pentium III, I tried to reboot go into the bios and make the CD rom drive my primary boot drive ...it wasn't recognized so i made the three install floppies (mkbootfloppy.bat) using windows. The boot floppies work but i get an error (see below) so i use a hard drive eraser and erase all of windows and everything else. where i am now it asks me what version i want to run knowing nothing about linux i instantly choose the top one which said "Normal options" It says i have a display problem in which i can either choose my viewing area or not, I simply press SPACE to continue without choosing as recommended. it asks me the normal (please switch the floppies around again)after that is seems to be checking my hardware etc. it gets done with that and goes to a "looking for linux" wait screen the cd rom comes alive and begins to rotate it does this for a minute before halting saying it has an insmod error which could be attributed to a IO or IRQ issue it stops and i have to reboot through CTR ALT DEL i went to my bios and changed nearly every option i could think of every port is set to AUTO for the IRQ settings sooo let me know what needs to be changed or added
thanks

Welcome to LQ. Several comments:

1. Using a Live CD is an excellent way to get some experience with Linux without disturbing your existing Windows installation. If you downloaded the Live CD but you can't boot from it, and your CD drive is listed as the first boot option in the BIOS boot sequence, then most likely the problem is that either the downloaded image file was corrupted, or that you did not burn the image to the CD properly. After you downloaded the file, did you verify the checksum? If not, I'd strongly recommend it, as there is no point in burning a corrupted file to a CD. Secondly, when you burned it, did you burn it as an ISO image? That's critical - a regular copy command or drag-and-drop will not work correctly.

2. You later mention that you evidently are erasing Windows, which would not be necessary if you are using a Live CD. Can you clarify?

Re:
 

:jawa: To be honest i wasn't sure if linux was interfering with windows so i just yanked it. i already have a main computer this is my secondary so no big deal. I downloaded the file from linux.softpedia.com receiving a zip file from it in fact i get simplyMEPIS_6.0_i386.iso ....maybe my mistake was unzipping the file, i'm begging to think that may be the problem. It's possible since it is an ISO that windows allocated it to WINRAR due to it having folders/etc. inside ...i will reburn it and see what happens. a secondary question would be, how is SimplyMepis ? a non biased opinion on which dist for a begginer to start out on would be great
Thanks for replying

You might want to try downloading SimplyMepis right here at LQ ISO. As I described previously, verify the checksum first (to avoid burning a coaster) and make sure to burn it as an ISO Image. Good luck with it

Still not working
 

Hey,
so i reburned the disk using the DL here at LQ i run it it and this is what happens.
EXT2-FS Warning: checktime reached ,running e2fsck is recommended
VFSi mounted root
looking for mepis linux
............................................................
............................................................
............................................................
Can't startup filesystem
System halted

lemme know what's going on
thanks again:jawa:

new message
 

i tried to boot it differently now it says

you have passed an undefined mode number
press return to see video modes available space to continue or wait 30 seconds

so i waited the 30 seconds instead of pressing space and it says uncompressing linux

CRC error
linux halted

any ideas ?

anyone ?
 

anyone know what to do ?