I know this sounds odd, but the computer I'm using is older. I'm trying to install Mandriva, but to wait for the cd to load and boot up the operating system is crazy (if you could see it, you would know why!). I know what I would have to do if I booted up the OS, but what I want to do is just put the cd in and say "install OS!" without waiting for it to open it up just from the cd (It took me five hours just to get to a window that told me about the OS and it was lagging so bad I couldn't click out of it!)

Like I said, I'm trying to install Mandriva, but if there's not a way to do it with Mandriva (or if you don't know) and there's a way to do it with another version please please let me know!

Thank you

Hi Ozey,

The quickest solution might be to solve the problem rather than work around it, maybe you could try replacing the cdrom, it could be faulty.

cheers

kbp

Figure out how to enable boot selection in your bios then boot from CD. This is usually done by pushing either: f1, f2, f10, esc or del

I'm not too familiar with mandriva's cd but on ubuntu's it'll give you an option to install in text mode...nice and quick

kbp,

Thanks, but the thing is this laptop is old enough that I would just invest in a new computer rather than replacing parts (and I honestly can't afford either right now).

Thank you for the suggestion though

Boot from usb.

Okay. How can I boot mandriva in text mode and tell it to just install then?

it doesn't sound like its where he boots from, im not familiar with mandriva at all, he boots from cd then it boots into the OS Instead of installer Like a Live Cd version it sounds like ?
I Know With Ubuntu 8.04 And 8.10 And Maybe 9.04 I forget, If U Boot The OS From The CD You Can Click A Button Install It Straight From The Desktop XD
And It Just Copys The Files Over From There
Or In Ubuntu It Had A Optional Menu At The start
Boot Ubuntu Linux Live CD
Install Ubuntu
Help And Support
Exit
Did Mandriva Have Somthing Similar Because Isnt Mandriva Debian Based Like ubuntu?

That's exactly what it does, but the thing is I can't boot up the OS from the CD. That's my problem. It takes too long and for some reason this computer can't handle it. It's too old to go replacing parts and I can't afford a new laptop. =/ I guess I'll have to try a different OS? Like Ubuntu if that can boot from a text mode.

Yes ubuntu can install from a txt mode, Im not fussed on the new version personaly XD
I think slackwares fairly good, and i THINK that can install from a txt mode also.
Im going to try and Fedora And CentOS, Ill Let You Know On The Result And Ill See If U Can Install From A Text Mode If You Can We Will Both Be Noobs To Somthing Lmao.

Lol thank you. I've heard good things about Ubuntu. What I'm doing is installing it on my mom's laptop for her (the old computer I've been talking about) and maybe on my main computer if I decide I like it (which I probably will, lol!)
I just have to download it (again! X_X) and go get some black cds. I'm going for rewritables this time!

kool, good luck
Hope it works out for you!
Speaking of ubuntu i might go install it on my comp In a moment And have a muck around with linux XD
I Dislike Ubuntu >>> Getting CentOS And Fedora On Wednesday But Im still installing it for 2 days
LOL

Mmmmm

what are the specs of the computer?
ram, hd size, etc?

does it have a usb port and does it boot from usb
and do you have a usb?

How old of a laptop are we talking here? It might not be capable of running the OS when it's installed anyway.

Aha! I got it to work.

When the cd is in and the computer starts up, the boot menu appears.
Click the down arrow to deselect 'Boot Mandriva' (as it will automatically boot after a few seconds if you don't) and reselect it.
Click F3, select Text. After a minuite or so (you may need to look at the Help in F1 before it shows up)
In white text it will say "Boot Menu" under the options for booting (but you can't select it) and if you type it'll show up next to where it says "boot menu".
Type in 'Install' and then (while 'Boot Mandriva' is still selected) click Enter.
It will take you straight to the Install, skipping the load of the OS from the cd.

Thank you all for your help. I figured I would post this incase somebody stumbles upon this and has the same problem.

-Ozey