I am brand new to Linux. I downloaded the following:

grubboot.zip

knoppix4.0.2 .iso (I am 99% sure that it is not the live cd.)

I also got all the other stuff from the knoppix ftp link. like the .md5, .sha1 files.

I want to put linux on a second computer that has windows xp. I really want to learn linux through and through, but I cant get it running. The image disk that I made from the download is in its drive when I reboot, but when all I get is a flashing underscore on a black screen. I read somewhere that I should try rawrite. A also read that someone put the file directly on their desktop and did not need a floppy disk in order for the computer to read the CD. I prefer the ladder.
Thanks, mp

I'm not sure I understand correctly, so if I'm wrong on all this,
post back.

Once you download the iso. 'burn image' to a blank CD. This CD should be
bootable. Make sure the CD-ROM is configured as the first boot device
in your motherboard bios.

Put in the CD, reboot your computer and it should start. Some boards
prompt you to 'press a key to boot to CD' - watch for that.

Once booted to the CD - install & enjoy. Good luck.
-tw

I agree with tw. If you burned the CD from the image it should boot up as long as your BIOS is set to boot from a CD. Don't just treat the iso image like a data file and copy it to a cd. It won't work that way. It needs to be burned as an image.

Bill

ps - Might want to make a better subject when you post to the forum. It helps people when they browse.

FYI, the md5 and sha1 files are the Message Digest (Version 5) and Secure Hashing Algorithm (Version 1) for the file you downloaded. If you were to run an MD5 or SHA1 hash on the file you downloaded, it must match the values in the md5 or sha1 files or it is an invalid or incomplete download.

The OPs are right, be sure to burn the iso as an image - not a file.

I have a stupid question - you said that "all I get is a flashing underscore on a black screen." Did you try hitting Enter? It could be that your text only console is not showing you the whole screen.

thanks for the help. and haha yes I hit enter. Ok I apparently did not download the file correctly must have been my software. I installed cdburnerxp pro, and it seemed to work. Here is the kicker. It loads, seems to be working properly, a few screens pass something about partitions and then I get to a dos screen I type dir and then the promt that ends in exe. seems to be going smoothly (as far as I know) but the next screen is in f#$@@*g German. the file was knoppix_V4.0.2CD-2005-09-23.iso This is the second time That I have had to download this damn 700000mb file, and I don't want to do it again.
thanks ahead of time, mp.

there is a english boot flag for knoppix. Try typing

knoppix lang=en

at the boot: prompt