I am very new to linux. Actually if have never installed it before. I read that Mandrake is the easiest Linux to migrate too; but I'm having a serious problem right from the start. It won't install.

Here is the Problem: No matter what I do I can't get linux to install.

1. I can't boot from the CD-Rom drive even if I set it in the bios. It just pops up boot from CD reads the CD and then boots to windows.


2. When I use rawwrite to create a boot disk it loads and then it says that the CD I have in my drive is not a Linux boot disc. Then it wants me to enter some odd Kernel peramiters and choose as SCSI device (I don't have any SCSI equiptment) I know the dics is good being I can read the disc fine in windows.


3. I can't use rawwrite to boot off my HD because Linux refuses to reconize my NTFS partitions.



To try and counter this problem I have done the following:

1. I have re-burnt multiple copies of the install discs at 1x speed.
(I'm using memorex discs)
2. I have re-downloaded the ISO's 3 times and re-burnt them.
3. I have tried 2 different programs to extract the ISO's in hopes that the extraction was the problem.

Even if you believe that CD's are fine because you can read them in windows it doesn't mean that iso's you burned are good, check md5sum on every linux distro ftp server where you get iso's there is always files with correct md5sum, there is an utility for windows to verify md5sum http://www.etree.org/md5com.html

md5sum??? what is this. Why would Mandrake have a bad verson of Linux for download? This md5sum program; do you know of another place I can get it.


Ok I have th program, but I have NO idea how to check the files. The documentation is nnot complete on what files to check. I'm very confused.

or just burnt it again...or buy the box set.
or try Redhat...it is also very easy to install.
What is your hardware like? give a little more info on your pc,

zLinuxz

it should be like from DOS command
md5sum -b file.iso
it must return the md5sum sequence - a bunch of numbers and letters compare it against md5sums obtained from mandrake ftp server the sums are in the same directory as the iso's. BTW it is not Mandrake that puts wrong files it is your browser or ftp client that screws up downloads, if you use ftp client try bin mode (binary not ascii).

Ok so I have looked for md5sum or anything that begins with md5 on the Mandrake cd and the search dosn't find anyting. I have the numbers from the mandrake FTP site; but I can't find the file to scan with the program or how to do it.

I didn't find any .shn files on the CD either.


Here is the info on my PC

Epox 8kha+ mobo
Amd XP T-bred 2100+
ATI Radeon 8500
512mb of Corsair Ram
3-Com NIC
480 Antec True Power
Kenwood True-X CD-ROM
Plextor 16-10-40 CD-RW
ATA 100 Seagate Barracuda 40gig hd partitioned into 2 NTFS drives.
ATA 66 Seagate Barracuda 10gig hd one fat32 partition; I plan to install Linux on this drive.

Drive letter assignemnts.

A: Floppy
C: Primary Partition on 40gig
D: Seconday Partition on 40gig
E: Fat32 Partition on 10gig
F: Kenwood CD-Rom
G: Plextor CD-RW

IDE Assignments: (No Raid or SCSI)

HD 40gig Primary Master
HD 10gig Primary Slave
CD Kenwood Secondary Master
CD Plextor Secondary Slave

You might find http://linuxiso.org/viewdoc.php/isofaq.html useful

what Program are you burning it with? use nero and make sure you use (udf/iso) also make sure you use the (boot) option.

Ok guys I got it thanks!!!