Emachine computer won't boot CD

davidguygc · 05-15-2007, 05:36 AM

Hi, I am trying to install Slack 11 onto an old emachine computer. 600IS I believe. Anyway, it will not boot from a CD despite my best efforts. When I try to boot the same CD on a different computer, it will boot. When I put in the CD that came with the computer, it will boot that CD. It just ignores my CD. It seems hellbent on booting windows, even if I disable the Hard drive from the bootup list.

Does anybody have any idea what to do?

Thanks,
David

pixellany · 05-15-2007, 07:54 AM

Could be the classic .iso thing....make sure the CD has multiple files and folders--if it contains just one file ending in .iso, then you fell into the common trap.
Burn a new CD using the "burn from iso" option.

Also see if the CD will boot on a different computer.

petespin27 · 05-15-2007, 02:43 PM

If it boots using another computer, try cleaning the CD lens on the emachines cumputer.

davidguygc · 05-15-2007, 02:57 PM

Right, I said that it does boot on a different computer, and I used one of those fabric CD thingys to clean the cd drive on the computer. It just doesn't make sense, it will boot from a restore CD, but it won't read a CD that will boot up any other computer

Eternal_Newbie · 05-19-2007, 07:53 AM

I assume you are trying a Slackware 11.0 CD from your details. Some machines seem to have difficulty with the Slack 11.0 boot CD for unknown reasons. Try to see if a Slack 10.2 CD or a live CD like Slax or another distro boots. If 10.2 boots, then install 10.2 and upgrade to 11.0, following the instructions in README.TXT, CHANGES_AND_HINTS.TXT and UPGRADE.TXT exactly.

Emerson · 05-19-2007, 08:11 AM

Another reason may be the CD drive cannot read CDR's. CD and CDR are different things despite they look same.

Eternal_Newbie · 05-19-2007, 08:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Emerson

Another reason may be the CD drive cannot read CDR's. CD and CDR are different things despite they look same.

It would have to be an extremely old drive though, are you using a CDR or CDRW? In any case it might be a good idea to swap in the CD drive you know works and see what happens. Faster than installing an older Slackware and upgrading, if it works.

davidguygc · 05-20-2007, 06:54 PM

Well, I found a spiteful way to fix it, I installed it on a different computer, and switched the hard drives.

pazz33 · 05-24-2007, 06:23 PM

davidguygc...
I have an old emachine T1090 with the original cdrom.
I spent awhile trying to boot a linux iso from the original cdrom.
Finally, I swapped out the orginal cdrom and installed an old cdrom one I had lying around. ;-)
The bios will boot to a cdrom no problem. :-)