I just got my CD's in the mail and tried to install Mandrake 9.1 from CD. It boots but then soon as I choose the boot type, it starts loading and then freezes in a blank screen. Also when this happens the Scroll Lock and the Caps Lock LED's on the key board start flashing.

The same freeze happened to me with BBC Linux a small demo version(In this case there were a message regarding IRQ conflict) and Damn Small Linux. Both of these can be run off the CD simply.

I presently use Windows 98 and have a FAT32 single partition.

Please advice.

Vijay

Maybe it's a bad BIOS setting. Have you tried turning off any Plug 'n' Play support, and boot virus protection, and maybe those bios and video ram shadowing options.

I do have two boot virus installs. How do I turn them off ?

Also what else do I look for in my Bios ? Thanks

I tried to look for Plug and Play Support as described in the installation manual. Couldn't find any.

Vijay

Moving to the Mandrake Forum

Cool

Just hunt your BIOS for the settings, they might not be documented in the manual.

Two boot virus installs?

What processor, amount of RAM, and graphics card do you have?

I hunted for the Bios settings, disabled those for Video etc., and then restarted my PC. Also, shut off the Anti-Virus at Boot. It didn't work.

Someone, suggested that I check all my PC for Linux compatibility. I checkedout the Monitor first. My model is not listed. However, several and almost all closely related models from the same manufacturer are listed as not being compatible with Mandrake 9.1.

Here is my model number: 7Elr and the Manuf. is AOC. Does this mean that I am stuck or is there a way around this ?

I also ran Aida. There is so much info. there, it is going to take a
long time to check everything. Does this problem occur often with
Linux installation ? Thanks.

Vijay

333Mhz Processor
156Mb Ram and
Video Adapter is Sis5597/5598 4Mb

Vijay

Ok, processor isnt too old for the type of linux packages, and there isnt >1gig of ram to worry about. I dunno how to work around an un supported monitor, but it should be possible, at least once you can configure X to the right sync rates. Maybe try finding info about changing the framebuffer type for installing?

I just did a search at this site for my monitor. This seems to be a standard problem. Here is a thread in this regard. There are several other threads for the same monitor issue.

Click Here for AOC Monitor-Linux Issue !!!

It has no bearing that your monitor is not listed.

You can and should enter the horizontal and vertial sync rates according to your manual. This is important. The values may not be over the specs or you can fry your monitor.

Mandrake allows for the manual input, but you can also run XF86Config manually from the command line as root

Initially, I did a text install. Then, I was able to load the graphics by using the kdm and/or startx commands at the $prompt. Thanks.

Vijay