How to boot Mandrake?
 

I've just installed mandrake but when I boot up my computer, it just loads Windows XP. How can I have a choise of which to load at the start? Thanks.

Sounds like you forgot to install the bootloader. Didn't it give you an option to install a bootloader in the MBR?

It did... whats MBR? Anywho, How can I fix that? And is there a way for using a floppy disk? Do I havta whipe Mandrake and reinstall it?! Hope not.

The MBR is the Master Boot Record. It's the sector your system boots from.

Use your install disk to boot up the machine. There should be some option to rescue/install bootloader.

Ok, I just REinstalled Mandrake and this time I tried the Grafic one boot thing(last time i tried the text one) and still no luck. What's WRONG!?!! And befor reinstalling it, I tried what you said and i reput the windows bootloader on then put the linux one on but it didnt let me. Can i boot linux with a Floppy?

Look back at my reply and tell me where you see the words "windows bootloader" ?

You are installing Linux, therefore you need a Linux bootloader, don't you think? You have to install either Grub or Lilo in the MBR if you expect to be able to boot your Linux system.

Mandrake has a pretty easy to follow, automatic installation. Towards the end of the install it gives you the option to install Lilo or Grub into the MBR. Do so and it will boot.

I just Re-installed the bootloader thing (like you said). I Put in the mandrake disk and pressed F1 to get into options. Then it said that if I type like repair or somethign like that and i got into this other this that had the option to re-install the linux bootloader and now it boots up with a thing that says something about a problem and gives my these options:

Safe Mode
Safe Mode with Networking
Safe Mode with command prompt
Last known good config.
Start windows normaly

I've tried to reinstall and put the bootloader on a floppy but it duzn't give me a choise to do so. Now what would ou say is better?: Grub or lilo text/graphic. Also should I check any of the boxs that say: Enable ACPI, Force no APIC and Force no local APIC? Thank you.

Without knowing the specifics of your system it's impossible to say.

ok.

RAM: 192MB

Processer: Pentium III 601MHz

Windows XP on Drive 1(C:, no partitions) and Mandrake on drive 2 (1st partition out of 2) but windows can't see it and then theres a blank 3rd partition (drive :E, disk 2)