I'm using a Compaq 2100 Laptop and trying to get Mandrake 10.1 to run on it. This laptop has ran Linux before (fedora Core 2) and this time I completly whiped out everything and tried to install Mandrake. The install went fine, however when I choose "linux" from the bootloader, the satus bar goes to about 75% and then a blank screen pops up. From then the system wil hang, I end up powering off the machine. Neither Failsafe , ect work either. Help would be much appreciated.

Actually Linux may be indeed booting but one of the services is problematic.

Try pressing ESC as soon as you see the bar move one "tick" or just before.

This should put you in the text screen.

If you hit SHIFT [I] right away after the screen switches you may be able to get Linux to load only one service at a time.

It should stop and prompt you for each.

Hit [Y] until you get to the one that freezes the system.

Again reboot and do the same, but when you get to the problematic service this time hit [N].

You can then go into the MCC and disable the errant service from starting up.

The problem is that it doesnt even get the screen with the "ticks", I get nothing, nada, only the bootloader status bar... it goes to 75% or so then I get this random black screen

Try SAFE MODE or FB mode and see if these boot.

I have a compaq 2100 series laptop and I have the same problems you do. It has to do with ACPI. Reinstall mdk (choose upgrade to do it quick) and configure the bootloader. Uncheck all 3 checkboxes (about ACPI and APIC). Reboot and you're good to go.
As far as I know, I haven't found a way to get the laptop to boot with acpi and apic or either enabled. I have tried every possible combination of those checkboxes along with kernel compiles and boot settings (went through a ton of ftp re-installs for mdk 10.1 as well) to no avail.

On that machine all you need to do is DISABLE APIC and APM using the kernel parameters

noapic noapm

and enable acpi by removing all references it it on the Lilo entries.

Ironically I've tried that and my laptop still wouldn't boot...I would just go with the reinstall and configuring the boot loader. No sense in taking a chance and having to repeat the process over and over again like I already have.

There have been a number of posts to this effect.

It seems that the noapic parameter may be getting disregarded by the kernel provided.

Thats why disabling it alltogether works...

Yes, except the the way to disable it is to either recompile the kernel (chicken and egg for him...) or use the noapic parameter, which is being disregarded...

A tight spot for a newbie.