Ok.....I first want to start off by saying that I appreciate any and all input and help yall can offer. Im new to linux, therefore, i might not pick up on everything right away. I have a number of problems with my computer after installing Suse 9.1. This is going to be a long post so I appreciate anyone who is brave enough to get involved.

#1 Windows no longer loads.

I was using windows 98 on my pentium 2 IBM thinkpad 600E laptop. That is about all it can handle. When I tried to load windows, it came up with a message saying:

Warning: Windows has detected a registry/configuration error. Choose Command prompt only and run SCANREG.

It gives me a list of options such as: Normal, Logged, Safe Mode, Step-by-step confirmation, Command prompt only, Safe mode command prompt only. The only option that does anything is safe mode command prompt only. When I select that option, it asks me to type the name of the command interpreter (e.g., C:\Windows\command.com) and it gives me a C: prompt. no matter what i type, it gives me the same message. Im fairly sure there is not much I can do about this problem. I do not have access to a floppy drive or a Windows 98 CD. I have many files that I cannot lose on the windows partition. Any info on getting around this would be helpfull

#2 Suse partition too small.

When Installing Suse 9.1, it asked me for a partition size and the "expert" who helped install it only gave 1.6 gigs to suze; just enough for the initial install. Therefore, without a working windows, I cannot change the partition through it, nor can i download any partitioning programs through linux because I do not have the disk space. Im stumped on how to get around this problem without solving the first problem first.

#3 Suse doesnt load correctly

This problem has just become the icing on the cake. This problem came out of no where. Nothing was done to provoke it. When I start my computer, it comes up with the IBM logo and says it is loading GRUB stage 2. Then it gives me a GRUB prompt. Ive researched others problems for about 2 weeks now and have yet to find the info needed to load suse using grub. By the way, I have to use GRUB to load the non-working windows menu. My question is: What do i enter under the grub prompt to load Suse 9.1. I only have 1 hard drive. Windows is the primary and Suse should be the secondary partition. Also, what do i do once in Suse to bring the boot menu up like before?

#4 Sound doesnt work with Suse.

After installing Suse, the sound on my laptop no longer works. When Suse was working, I was researching ways to fix this problem but stopped after suse crapped out. Everything I found was a little over my head and hard to understand. I know its frustrating but if someone could give me a walk through on possible remedies, I would appreciate it.

#5 Need to Free up disk space.

This is the easy one. Is there anything in Suse 9.1 that I can delete to free up some quick and easy disk space. Im only looking for around 15 megs. I could learn to deal without the word processor for now.

#6 Maybe the problem that could solve it all

If I were to get Suse working, could I network my computer via ethernet cable to someone using Mandrake? I would be looking to copy some files from my windows partition on his computer. Mostly music, documents, and such. Like I said, Im a newbie and would like to know the plausability of networking the two?

I appreciate everyones help and envy you for being able to read the whole thing. Im not expecting anyone to answer all of the questions but if a bunch of people could answer one or two, I would be eternally greatfull.


Thanks again,
Phil

Poah! Big trouble in little china ...

To point #1 Windows no longer loads:

Is there no way to start it in "Safe mode"?
Does scanreg run?

#2 Suse partition too small.
1.6 Gigs is really too small to live and too much to die

#3 -> think it´s a little too complex to describe it in short sentences

#4 Sound doesnt work with Suse. -> should not be your major problem - concentrate on a runnin´ system. The goodies will follow.

#5 Need to Free up disk space.
If you have a running suse, you could deinstall with yast -> software -> install/deinstall software
Gimp is a good idea, k3b burning tool can be removed, too

#6 Maybe the problem that could solve it all
YES! It would be possible - and it´s (for my suggestion) the only smooth way to help you out.
Try this:
1.) Get a Knoppix-LiveCD,
2.) boot your Laptop with it
3.) connect to the Mandrake computer (hope your friend knows how to)
(remember to use a crosslink-cable or a hub/switch for your connection)
4.) copy all files you want to safe to the Mandrake-PC
5.) Setup Suse new - kick off win 98 - or let suse make the partition smaller to keep the files

Other way
use g4l (ghost4linux), boot the floppy, connect to a ftp-server (maybe your friend mandrake box),
backup your win98 there.


AND

never try changes to your system without a backup!!! !before!
Greetz

Pete

I cant run Windows in Safe Mode. It goes dead after the windows startup image appears. Also, I cannot get scanreg to run at all. It wont get past the "type the name of the command interpreter (e.g., C:\Windows\command.com)" part.

The only reason i asked about sound is because my laptop is my only source for music and without music, I start to go crazy. I know it sounds trivial but it was driving me crazy before suse crapped out.

Anybody else with thoughts on booting Suse through Grub. It is on the only hard drive (laptop) and should be on partition 2.

I think my best option at the time is a fresh reformat after using the knoppix LiveCD and saving my files. I was just curious and wanted to verify that I could still copy files from my windows partition using the LiveCD.

Thanks again for all your help. I apologize if the last post was a little confusing. It was written at 4am.

Phil.

Can't you boot from a SuSE boot-CD? This is the usual way to get around a broken MBR. Just boot and select 'Boot from Harddisk'

To boot from the grub command-line try typing:

grub>kernel (hd0,1)/boot/vmlinuz root=/dev/hda2
grub>initrd (hd0,1)/boot/initrd
grub>boot

(see: http://portal.suse.com/sdb/en/2002/0..._overview.html )

Ok....Im lookin for any other suggestions on how to load SuSe through GRUB. Also, will I be able, once i get Windows 98 back on my laptop, to pull the files off the linux partition using Windows XP on my friends computer? What Im tryin to ask is....Will I be able to get my files back with a fresh install of Windows 98 and not Linux?
Thanks for the feedback

Phil

You mean your data on the Linux partition?
No! Except that you have Linux on a FAT32 partition or some special tools that enable access to reiserfs. Try a Linux LiveCD instead.

Well if you say windows 98 is all it can handle then suse was a bad choice. I had it on my p11 450 and man was it really slow!