Mandriva One LiveCD boot problem
 

Hi,
After years of Windows I've finally got round to trying Linux. Unfortunately at the moment I'm not getting very far.
I've downloaded Mandriva One GNOME and burnt it to CD. When I use the CD in my laptop it initially works, I get a graphical menu saying press F1 for more options or enter to start so push enter.
Loading continues to go fine for a while, then the system hangs on a blank screen. I have to press and hold the power button to turn the laptop off.
I've pushed escape for verbose mode, the last things to come up are
Loading compose keys (followed by a line of info I don't understand)
Backspace key sends ^?

The laptop is a Fujitsu with a mobile AMD Athlon 2000+, 1.66Ghz CPU, 224mb RAM
Primary master - ST92011A

I don't even know where to start with solving the problem, any help would be much appreciated. I've checked the CD in another computer and it boots fine
Sam

Try using the "nonfb" kernel from the LiveCD. Instead of hitting Enter, press F1 or F2 for more kernel options. :)

Hopefully, that helps.

Ok, pushed f1 ended up with a command line saying boot:
Typed nonfb after this and got the message
'Could not find kernel image: nonfb'

The exact kernel name may not be "nonfb".
When you press F1 (try F2, as well) a list of available kernels to boot will show up. Read through the list and look for one that has "nonfb" or no framebuffer in the name.

Thanks for the help so far Indienick. If I push f1 when prompted (f2 has no effect) I get the following

Welcome to Mandrake Live!
The command line can be used to specify kernel options
live <kernel options>
boot:

There's no list of options as such. I downloaded the CD from www.mandriva.com using the bit torrent link on the site.
I am wondering if the laptop has an unusual video card in. Windows XP is showing the card has having no driver installed (it comes up with an exclamation mark next to it in the device manager) and I have been told by the guys who gave me the laptop that sometimes XP crashes, with the screen turning completely green. I haven't been able to replicate the problem (after about 6 hours of use).
Incidentally I just downloaded Ubuntu and am having a very similar problem. Starts loading fine, looks like it's about to go onto the next stage (GUI?) and crashes. Also tried starting Ubuntu in safe graphics mode and had the same problem
Sam

hmmm....
Well, it seems that anything with X11/Xorg is completely dying on your video card's doorstep.

If you're fairly new to Linux, I'm sorry to suggest this, but download the "net install" CD of either Gentoo or Debian (Gentoo preferrably) and install from those CDs...both use text-based setup schemes (ie. no fancy gui's).

I recommend Gentoo over Debian (any Debian admirers that read this, don't hate me) only because I know that Gentoo has amazing installation documentation. The documentation is VERY easy to follow, and explains everything in an appropriate amount of detail.

I'm suggesting going with Gentoo over Mandriva and Ubuntu because this way (I can't think of any other way right now - I just woke up :p) once you compile the graphical client (Xorg/X11) and if your system still hangs after it starting up, we know that there is a problem with your video card for certain, but you won't be left with a completely useless computer, either. :) You'll still have a fully-functioning Linux build without pretty GUIs...that's all.
EDIT: Not too mention too many Linux newbies are getting acquainted with the command line soon enough - they wait until something catastrophic happens....IMHO, of course.

:D

Thanks for the help, that seems to be working. Next is working out how to use the command line, and then partitioning a disk with XP already installed, should keep me entertained over Christmas.
Thanks again, happy holidays
Sam

:D You're very welcome.
Merry Christmas || Happy Channukah to you too.