I have mandrake linux 9.1. I installed it and all went well but when i boot the system i cant load any os. All that I get is a message that says L 40 40 40 etc. Eventually it comes up with a message that says press any key to reboot. Then it just happens all over again. I am a linux newbie (never even used it before) so please help me because I really want to be able to use it.

i think you've installed lilo (or grub) badly.
on what partition did you install it? you can change lilo settings from inside linux - to get there, try installing bootloader on a floppy

I tried that but i get the same message

i'd try installing mdk one more time and be very carfull about lilo options...

So let me get this str8. You have windows and mdk on ur pc. are u still able to load mandrake. if not, re-install and make sure u select lilo as the bootloader. if you can access mdk, open control center (not mandrake control center) -> click 'system' --> and click 'boot manager' -> then click whatever tab you want to use to edit the bootloader file. as long as you know where mdk and windows installed it should work fine. this is what i have, if it helps:

boot=/dev/hda
map=/boot/map
default="WindowsXP"
keytable=/boot/us.klt
prompt
nowarn
timeout=100
message=/boot/message
menu-scheme=wb:bw:wb:bw

image=/boot/vmlinuz
label="Mandrake9.1"
root=/dev/hda6
initrd=/boot/initrd.img
append="devfs=mount hdd=ide-scsi acpi=off quiet"
vga=788
read-only

other=/dev/hda1
label="WindowsXP"
table=/dev/hda

I would try that but i can't boot mandrake at all. only windows

if u use the install cd again, there is an option that allows you to reinstall the bootloader. choose lilo and see if this fixes the trick and allows you to load mandrake.

how do you choose which bootloader you want it to reinstall

i guess u mean when u put the cd in. it was a while back when i did it but window has covered my bootloader so i put the mdk9.1 cd in. A screen should come up that asks you to press F1 and then I think you type rescue to get the bootloader back. hope this helps.