I have installed Mandrake 9.21 on my laptop (hp pavilion ze4430us) and everything (during the instalation) was fine, The problem is when ths system try to load the PCMCIA module, it freeze to death, i wait for an hour and nothing happens.

I tried to push "I" during booting but the systems continues loading and it doesnt stop to ask me what to load.

How can i disable the PCMCIA module if the machine doesnt respond the I command.


Thanks a lot.

Try a newer distro. I'd try to get ahold of the Mandrake 10.0 because it's using the 2.6.3 kernel and would probably be your best bet to fix this problem. If not 9.2 would be your next best bet.

If you have a PCMCIA card in the laptop, try installing Linux without the card in the machine. It also might be something to do with ACPI. If you have any power managment settings in the bios try playing around with anything relating to ACPI.

If ACPI is the problem you could use the install cd to boot to a prompt and edit your lilo.conf file located at /etc/lilo.conf to enable / disable acpi. This is far fetched though because I think ACPI is disabled by default when you install the OS, maybe edit the file to enable ACPI.

These are all shot's in the dark but it might give you something to work with. You could also look up your laptop on

http://www.linux-on-laptops.com/

and see if anyone else has had similair problems and suggestions.

Thanks my friend, i'll try what you say.

Now, i have another question, how can i access a Linux partition from Windows XP to modify the archive you mention? Can i access it?

I hope you help me.

Thanks again.

As far as I know your not going to be able to ccess anything in windows. You have to do it with the Linux install CD. When the CD first boot's to install the OS it will give an option for some options. One of those would be boot to prompt or something similair. Then you can edit the file.

Honestly it sound's like your a beginer so I'd go check out a distro like Redhat Fedora or something. I noticed on the link that I gave you about the linux laptops that someone with the same model as your's has having reat success with Redhat.

Mandrake 9.1 is considered a good build but if your having problems with it right off the start try something new.

I'll follow your ideas. I'll download RedHat. I have Mandrake installed on a PC and it really works good, i think i have to find anything else for laptops, or still testing diferent Distros.

Thanks again.

GOD BLESS LINUX