I just installed Mandrake Linux 9.1 on my Compaq Presario 2100 laptop, however the boot seems to stall on the pcmcia line. Is there anything I can do? If not, how can I safely uninstall Mandrake? I have Win xp on the laptop and don't want to mess something up in the boot loader.

Thanks

Just set Windows to be default in the boot loader. I guess you can get in via the Failsafe option. Other than that, I might try reinstalling Mandrake to see if that cures the PCMCIA thing. That won't fowl up the boot loader. I done it.

if pcmcia isn't part of your kernel, that might be freaking it out. ALso, check your modules. If it is trying to load the wrong module or can't find find the module, that might mess things up to. FInally, I think I read somewhere that if pcmcia_cs isn't installed, everything goes wacky.

I tried failsafe and even that hung on the PCMCIA part. How can I get in to linux and make pcmcia part of my kernel? How can I check my modules, and what do I do once I do?

Yes I am a Newbie. Very much so, and would very much like to get this thing running if I can.

You should be able to boot with the mandrake cd and rescue the system. I'm not quite sure how to do that since I've never had to. Or, you could just try a fresh install, and start over. Make sure you set up your network properly during install and then everythin should work for you.

If I remember correctly, you boot from the CD, hit F1 on that first screen, then punch in rescue. Dunno about the rest but that's what my Mandrake 7.2 and 9 manuals say. You'll see more directions after you hit F1.

Okay this is really weird.. after pressing f1 and typing for the recovery option, the recovery screen comes up, but my keyboard no longer works. I think I'll just let my laptop slide on this one. Thanks everybody for tryin gto help me out!

That is wierd. Never heard of losing interphase when installing.

This man isn't kidding--I've installed Mandrake 9.1 on the Presario 2100 AMD chipset and the PCMCIA stalls at boot. You cannot rescue or any other trick because the keyboard comes and goes throughout the boot. That's internal or external, and you know...it's really hard to configure your computer without one...

Knoppix works flawlessly, as did SUSE, which boots and installs but also recognizes the power (battery indicator) another bugaboo on the boards.

Mandrake installs without trouble, there is no USB or Monitor errors at all. USB mouse works. However, when I booted "linux nopcmcia" the stall still happened.

I'm working on it and will install this, because I wasn't impressed with SUSE (although it worked great and it's nice to be tested and stable) and their wonderful YAST wasn't much more than the new Mandrake Controls. I'd probably choose Knoppix for speed and pure elegance, but I'm working on that HD install.

Back with news later.

PS don't even talk to me about BIOS bc there's virtually nothing in there--we're not just missing it.

D

OK, well,

On the Presario 2100 AMD, Mandrake 9.1 install, there is a final configuration page. At the bottom of that page (scroll down) there is a "services" box. Go to "system" and uncheck PCMCIA. Then it will not attempt to start on boot.

I have read it can be made functional, but may mean a recompile.

Also, don't even THINK about enabling ACPI in the LILO "Boot" page during the install. Total blackout, start over.

Hope this helps, it's a piece of cake if you only know where to look. 7 hours not completely wasted.

D