Hello, this is my first visit to linux questions, I'm enjoying so far. I think I'd enjoy it more if I could view this in Linux, well maybe get into Linux period.

Basic Specs:
Amd Athlon XP 1900
Asus A7N266 Nforce 420
512 DDR
Geforce 4 ti 4200
Win2k

Her's the scoop. I have 2 hard drives, a 30 gig maxtor and an 80 gig WD.
The Maxtor has Win2k on on the c: partition and d: as a program partition.
The WD has linux partitions (/boot, swap, / ) formatted as ext2 -respectively and about a 60 gig storage area, so I've dedicated roughly 20 gigs to linux.

I'm not exactly sure what the problem is, it just won't boot. I get a couple different stalls.

Lets start with grub. I installed GRUB into the default area (I'm under the impression that its the MBR on HDA. When I boot up up it gets past the post and then I'm display what looks somewhat like a prompt:

"GRUB _"

Only problem is I can't type anything. I tried going into advanced boot loader options on install, but I come out with the same result.

Now if I use the boot disk I get a different problem. Linux will start the loading process where it checks components and gives it the OK, know what I mean? Anyway, it seems to freeze on this check.

Finding module dependencies.

Not sure why it does this, one time it got passed this but then froze on something about the swap partition.

I don't think its a hardware issue, mainly because since this problem I've tested the hell out my machine, with no errors.

I've got a screen shot of my partitions here :


[URL=http://public.aci.on.ca/~scam/Snap2.jpg]

Hope that image helps.

I've reinstalled about 10 times now, why oh why does it do this?
If you can help me please give me a clue cause I'm dying to start playing around Linux.

Thank you for taking the time to read this most, any suggestions appreciated.

Sorry, I don't use Windows 2000, so I have no experience.

I think Windows 2000 has some kind of bootloader that causes troubles if not taken under consideration.

Maybe these will help as that problem is frequently discussed.

Google search hits

This bbs search results

Well from your screen shot, heres what I'd suggest.

Use partion magic to free up the 20 gigs you want for linux(leave it unpartion).

Then using the RH8.0 cds during the install you can use its partioner to partion the drives and install the boot loader for you.

That should work, as I am running Win2k and RH8.0, and it took some tinkering to get it work. I boot both off of Grub, the only catch was I had to install win2k first.

If that still doesnt work, try using LILO.

ty for the help, but it does not want install for some reason. I have opted to buying a distro instead of downloading, mainly because I know there is nothing wrong with the disks.
Thanks again.

I agree with gdrobson try lilo, lilo never failed on me yet ;] besides it always asks to make backup disks haha.

Check the Redhat site for the release notes any eratta that has been discovered since it was released.

You will need drivers for your video card, so on install after checking your x configuring, be sure to click the "no" button for using in gui by default. Use the startx command until you get the video drivers installed and configured.

nVidia Driver Installation
nVidia driver page

Maybe these can help:

Configuring a bootloader

# Redhat links
Red Hat Linux Manuals
Maximum RPM
rpmfind
Easier software management: APT-RPM - Red Carpet

# Redhat 8.0 configuration commands
Configure soundcard:
redhat-config-soundcard
Configure X server:
redhat-config-xfree86

# Cheap CDs
Discount Linux CDs
Linux Central
Cheapbytes
TuxCDs
ComputerHelperGuy
More cheap cds

I don't know grub.
Originally I had win2k and RH 8 on this box.
I also tested Suse and Mandrake 8 (with Mandrake I could not start normally, because of the BIOS plug-n-play, so I had to type "linux nobiospnp" at the command prompt to start the linux.

Finally I use Mandrake 9.0. A week ago I uninstalled Win2k, because I never needed it since a month.

I never had any problem of installation, BUT, I always installed Win2k first, and used LILO. This for some reason seems to be important, as I read about it several times.

You will probably mess up with the installation/configuration for a while, but surely you will get it right. Stick with it. It's a lot better than Windzoo.

runnin win 2k myself with RH8 usin grub there seems to be and undocumented feature (mmmm Microsoftesk) if the two HD's are on the same IDE chanel got mine on seperate IDE chanels bothe set to master with no further issues at all

Well I bought a distro of Mandrake 9.0. Thinking, "Hey, this should work now." negatory. I get that freeze at
"Finding module dependencies".
Can anyone tell me what its lookin for, I'm really starting to get angry.

Bandit, I've tried disconnecting the HD w/ Win2k on it and only booting the linux HD, but I still get the same prob.

Ok I figured it out. If anyone gets this problem, just get into failsafe mode and find /etc/lilo.conf. In the append= line add nobiospnp inside the quotes. Use a space to separate this from the other commands. Save, exit and reboot, and everything works like clockwork.

But the second I get that working, I now have no mouse support. I can move it for about a second, then the mouse freezes up. Keyboard works fine so the system isn't freezing, its just the mouse, any suggestions?