I am trying to install mandrake on my compaq presario 2500 laptop but the instalation process freezes at "installing driver for bus/firewire card Texas Instrument |TSB43AB21...".

I dont know why this is happening, can anyone please help me...

i have the same problem the only way i can get it to install is to hit f1 at screen, And the boot using "expert no auto"
the problem there is that it will not detect auto detect any hardware on your system. beyond the obvious cd etc no acpi etc etc for tis you have compile the kernel. adding the options you want. personly i'm going to buy the newest version of mandrake and see if it has better luck.
i've tried the expert nofirewire as i have seen in some groups but with no luck
if you want linux on this laptop version 9.1 the expert noauto will get it on there. sorry no more help then that.

Me agian i found the perfect solution download mandrake 10.0 or 10.1 worked great for me. everyting installed and working as it should no extra work no extra problems