Help!!

I need to uninstall Mandrake 10.1 (on 3 cd's). I'm not giving up on linux (I've got copies of Ubuntu and Knoppix) but nothing is working on my laptop. I have reset the laptop to its defaults and tried to reinstall Mandrake (no luck) install Knoppix and Ubuntu (same result). Yes, I did reset the boot to cd drive. The laptop (dell inspiron 2650) doesn't want to recognize it.

I would like to clean out the whole laptop and start from scratch.

Right now my screen looks like this (in Mandrake 10.1)

(it's got a flashing underscore to stat with)
linux linux-nonfb
failsafe
boot:


Yes, I am trying to sort myself out in failsafe 'cause I figured I couldn't hurt anything. I'm getting really frustrated with this so I need some help soon.

Thanks. Looking forward to hearing from you all.

/sbin/lilo -u

Taa Daaah! Yea, whatever.

You want to uninstall Mandrake? Not really necessary, but start with your screen: That's a boot-menu, right?
So you type 'failsafe' and it should boot into runlevel 1, login as "root"
Then you repartition with fdisk /dev/hda (for first harddrive)

But I wonder, is the problem not uninstalling but that computer won't boot from CD?
If several discs you previously could boot from deosn't boot anymore I guess there is a hardware problem.
You could create a boot-floppy to use for installation, or use a USB-stick if supported. You can also often copy kernel + initrd to bot-partition, update your boot-loader and start installation from harddisk.
If you need help with that, please return with info about what bootloader you use and if you can login to your Mandrake correctly or not.

I like short, easy to understand instructions so I tried /sbin first but it didn't work.

I am now trying the next one but it is a bit more complicated. I turn on the laptop and it starts to run through the boot process for mandrakelinux 10.1 and then automatically goes to verbose mode and runs through the boot sequence.

When it gets to the filesystem (checking fileysystem) I have a problem - have had it for ages (Mandrakelinux worked without a hitch for about 2 days and then I started getting this problem with the filesystem. I think there is a config problem with the eth0 setting and I've gone through over 800 files and I figure there's got to be an easier way).

Okay, problem is as follows - screen looks like this:

"Checking filesystems
/dev/hda6
The superblock could not be read or does not describe a correct ext2 filesystem. If the device is valid and it really contains an ext2 filesystem (and not swap or ufs or something else), then the superblock is corrupt, and you might try running e2fsck with an alternate superblock:
e2sck -b 8193 <device>

fsck.ext3: no such file or directory while tryin to open /dev/hda6
Failed to check fileysystem. Do you want to repair the errors? (Y/N)
(beware, you can lose data)"

Okay, I don't care if I lose data 'cause there's nothing on here anyway. I would like to go back to a clean install on Manrake, Ubuntu or Knoppix - I don't really care which one. I am trying to learn linux (am finding it difficult but hopefully it'll become easier and then I can teach my kids how to use it and my kids' school and anyone else.....etc.

I think i have a config problem with the internet connection (I have broadband - dsl connection) which hopefully the bios will detect and prompt me for remedial action. Also, I must have some kind of a glitch with Mandrake 'cause it is clearly on the hard drive or I wouldn't be getting the screen boot up sequence. I have gone through the first 804 filesystems and to be honest, I really can't be bothered going through them all individually - too much hassle and wasted time.

If you can help, I would be most grateful. I don't think it is the cd drive 'cause i have set the bios to start from cd and can hear it and when I open the cd drawer, the disk is still rotating as I open the drawer. I don't have a boot disk and my desk top is so old and cranky I can't use it to make one 'cause it just keeps giving me error messages.

Knoppix describes itself as an "ideal recovery tool" but I can't seem to get it to recover for me. I know I've goofed it but surely all things are recoverable in Linux?

Look forward to hearing from you.

Now let's make a few things clear, this is how I understand you:
1. You have Mandrake installed, but hda6 isn't OK.
2. Your eth0/internet connection doesn't work.
3. Your CD doesn't work or you can't boot from it.
4. All you want is a functioning Linux, no matter which.

Solutions:
We're going for number 4 - a functioning Linux. I think saving Mandrake is the easiest, reading my suggestion might seem difficult but just take a step at the time and you'll fix it pretty fast (if my guesses are correct...)
1.) /dev/hda6 was OK after install, after 2 days it was lost. You say you have nothing on it - excuse me for asking, but are you sure? I mean, since you're pretty new to Linux, do you know what /dev/hda6 is and what you have on it?
Anyway, try this:
Answer Y, login as root.
Now you need to edit a file called /etc/fstab, I don't know what text-mode editor you have. If you're lucky you have MidnightCommander or at least joe, jed nano or pico. These are all pretty easy to use. Try it, after login type 'mcedit' if that doesn't work try the other. If none works you'll have to use vi.
vi is a monster (and I will be haunted and hanged for this comment... )
First you might have to remount your root-filesystem, the command is
# mount -o remount,rw /dev/hda1
(if /dev/hda is / check that with
# cat /etc/fstab
Open /etc/fstab, easiest is from commandline like
# vi /etc/fstab
If 'vi' press 'i' to get to insert-mode.
Locate the line starting with /dev/hda6, add a '#' in front
Save and exit, in vi:
<esc><esc><colon><w><q>
reboot.
/dev/hda6 will not be mounted or checked at bootup.
And don't mix things up - eth0 has nothing to do with this!

2.) You now should have a functioning system. If eth0 fails, it might take awhile for booting to finish but you should get to your ordinary GUI. If not return with error messages - it could also be good to include output of:
# fdisk -l
# cat /etc/fstab
BIOS will do absolutely nothing with Internet or your networking hardware.
To get help with that post info about your hardware. You can always start with Mandrake's ControlCenter, hardware.. (don't remember exact name)

3.) You say the CD-drive is OK but it doesn't boot.
Try it, when system is up insert a CD and try to read from it. If you try it in rescue-mode the command is normally
# mount /dev/cdrom
# ls /mnt/cdrom
but the locations might be different... If mount works (=gives no error message) but not ls, check where your CD-drive is mounted with 'df'