Okay, this is a big problem for me. I'm having problems, after, problems, after problems. I hear is a list of problem that I don't understand.

Problems:
floppy, and both cd-roms won't work.
no internet connection (ethernet cable connection).
(I think this is a problem too) Takes nearly 4 hours to install.
will not load right (only loads when use win98 fdisk and go to the set active partition, but I don't even have to change the partition WTF!!!).

I been reading around, and it seems like I'm the only one that is going through this. I tryed dual booting Windows XP and Mandrake. I also tryed just boot Mandrake alone. Someone please help. I thinking about trying Red Hat, but if I have to go though this trash forget it.

You are going to have to post some info on your system if anyone is to help you. Also it would help to clarify your problems a bit ie:
"floppy, and both cd-roms won't work."
How are you trying to access them, what are the error messages you get, were they detected properly when you installed?

I understand. With the cd-rom and floppy. Useing the KDE desktop, I go to removable storage icon on the desktop, once in that window I click on the floppy or cd-rom icons. A new window will open, but no evidence of a floppy disk or cd-rom will be shown. Plus I look at the drive and no lights will come on neither of the drives. ??? This I don't understand, ohh btw I do have a floppy disk and a cd in the drives. I installed with all the package set as the default also. Thanks for the help, I appreciate it. I really want to use this OS but this trouble is killing me.

Here are the specs:
CPU:
AMD K6-2 500mhz

Video Adaptor:
Description: Primary Display Driver
Manufacturer: SiS
Name: SiS 530/620
Total Local Video Memory: 8 MB
Total Local Texture Memory: 8 MB
Total AGP Memory: 16 MB

Memory:
320 MB sdram

Motherboard:
Manufacturer: PCCHIPS
Model: M598LMR
Version: 1.0
BIOS Vendor: American Megatrends Inc.
BIOS Version: AMIINT - 0
BIOS Release Date: 15/07/97
BIOS Properties: Plug and Play, Flash, AGP

Network Adaptor:
SMC EZ Card PCI 10 Adapter (SMC1208)

Modem:
Creative Modem Blaster V.90 PCI DI5655
Hard Drive:
Name: SAMSUNG SV2042H
Capacity: 19.01 GB
Model: SAMSUNG SV2042H
Interface Type: IDE

Where did you get the distro disks? Did you download and burn your own images? Four hours for installation seems way out of line. Half-hour, forty minutes tops. If you downloaded the disks did you run a checksum on them?

I downloaded the iso images useing cuteftp in binary mode. I had to resume a few times. Didn't run a checksum either(I know I should have.) The first 3 disc coastered because I used Nero in the image wizard interface. The next 3 I follow the instruction listed in the ftp server concerning how to burn the iso images with nero. I really beginning to think that its the CDs I'm useing. The evidence is clear:
I installed Win98, and WinXP countless times without any problems.

LILO will start up at the bio screen, instead of bootup "LILO", it will say LIL...(weres the "O"?)

During installing, I kept getting messages like "error install so and so package". Got about 12+ of them. And thats with the default packages.

During installing my mouse was not able to work until the mouse config screen.

Darn floppy, and CD drives would not work. Dispite the fact that my bios can recognize them and I had to use cd drive to install the whole thing.

FOUR hours to install. (and trying installing it twice )

Heres the BIG WTF! During installing, I was able to get a network connection to update some packages(even showing a list of ftp servers), but when Linux in booted I'm not able to get on the internet, or find the least evidence of my ip address.

It better be the CDs, because there is no way in hell my comp is that outdated. Right now I was thinking about downloading Red Hat, but I might just have to redownload Mandrake again, but this time sumcheck. BTW, any program anyone suggest to burn the images. (Nero might had been the problem also.) I know this is a long post and most people would not read this much, but if anyone had similar problems concerning the ones I listed, please speak on it. FOR KNOWLEDGE SACKS!

I have burned iso's with nero, with no probs, just make sure that you disable the wizard and choose "burn as image" from the file menu.

I think most likely your prob is faulty media.

Yes!!!, I finally have it running. It was the cds. Everything works, but the sound (which is not a big problem for now). There is also another problem concerning the booting up. But thats another post Thanks for all the help.

There is something wrong at your end...you must have an awful slow computer.

The average Mandrake install takes 30-45 minutes.

Aw-right! Way to hang in there. Media issues can be really frustrating.