Hello all,
I am a total linux noob.I downloaded all 3 mandrake 10 cd rom images and burned them,to install on my Dell latitude cpt laptop..500mgz 128 mb .If i use the discs i get the install screen...press install and then get the 'mandrake will install after you reboot.When I reboot nothing happens.I have tried booting from a floppy with the cd rom in the drive but then get'this does not appear to be a mandrake install disc'.I cant change my boot options as there is a bios password preventing me from changing from the floppy drive.I have windows xp pro on the laptop at the moment.I would really like linux as my only OS .....if I could get it to work!!

Moved: This thread is more suitable in the Distributions - Mandrake forum and has been moved accordingly to help your thread/question get the exposure it deserves.

Daveyboy, I too am new to Linux but know Windows based systems very well, I am a PC tech offering in-home service to Windows PCs. You can get a utility called "Wipe CMOS" on the downloadable programs from: http://ubcd.sourceforge.net/ . The CD is a very useful emergency repair CD (free of course!) WipeCMOS will return all your CMOS settings to default, so you may need to reset a few to meet your requirements, but it will get you in so you can boot from your MDK 10 CD. Let me know if you need more info. Good luck!

Thanks for your reply Harnic....I will let you know how I get on!

Hope this isn't too late, but you can get WipeCMOS alone from: http://www.geocities.com/sjwoolham/ . It's designed to run from a bootable floppy, which would be more help in your case.

Thanks for your help Harnic,I managed to find boot floppys for suse linux 9.1 and so have used that version instead.I may try wipecmos in the future though,i ws only put off by the potential harm I could do my motherboard by using it,you had only positive results?Cheers again,finally got Linux on my laptop now!

Glad to hear you got Linux running Daveyboy! No, WIPE CMOS won't harm your motherboard, it just resets to default values. You may need to "tweak" them depending on harware attached to the system, but that's usually simple. Anyway, the main thing is that you're in Linux now... enjoy!