I'm not experienced at all with Linux, so please be patient.

I downloaded the ISO images for the three-disk install CD set of Mandriva 10.2 (2005 LE), and burned the ISO files to CD using Nero. I booted to CD 1, and instead of the pretty graphical installer, I got a black and white sorta installer. I followed all the steps up to and including the partitioning(yay), but then, when i got up to the part where it was "looking for available packages", I got a message that asked me if I had any supplemental media, with a menu (CD-ROM, Network http, network ftp, ...) I put in the second CD, and it said to re-insert CD 1. I do that, and it asks me about supplementary media again, and i do what it says, and it keeps repeating the "re-insert CD 1", "supplementary media?" all over, and over again. Am i doing something wrong?? help!

Now i'm stressed, and I've rebooted and retried at least 5 times. Now, when i boot up, it gives me a screen with a background pic and a choice of linux, failsafe, or windows. When i choose windows, it works fine, but linux, it just starts starting up, and then ends at a command line.

I'd really appreciate your help, and, like I said, I'm a newcomer to Linux, so if I asked, said, or did something stupid, tell me so, but don't be harsh.

Thanks in advance.

Just a guess--
Did you verify your iso(s) using md5 or sha1sum?
It sounds like the iso for cd 2 is bad.

How do you verify the ISOs and what do I do if one of them is bad?

There is a great source here
remember-google is your friend. Also, the search on this forum is incredible. Many times I find the answer in similar threads or HowTos like I am sending you too.

BTW-welcome to Linux! Have a great time

1.
I suggest you read the Mandrake Starter doc

you can get it here - html or pdf
http://www1.mandrivalinux.com/en/fdoc.php3

There is a very good step by step guide to installing

2.
Check your disks, it sounds like they're corrupt
you may have burnt them too fast - choose a lower speed

here is a good how-to to burning with nero

Nero
How to Burn a CD using Nero

Version 6 (Ultra)


--- Step 1 Launch Nero.

--- Step 2 Select "Copy and Backup" icon near top right of dialog box.

--- Step 3 Choose "Burn Image to Disc"

--- Step 4 Choose "Image Files (x.nrg;x.iso;x.cue)" from the "Files of type:" drop-down list.

--- Step 5 Navigate to the .iso file. Dbl-click on it or select it and choose "Open" button.

--- Step 6 Choose the "Write Speed" and "Number of copies" values on the Image Recording dialog box. Click Next.

--- Step 7 If you don't have a CD in the drive, Nero will ask you for one. Otherwise, Nero begins the burn process.

--- Step 8 Unless there was a problem, you're done. Nero has a couple of more screens.


Version 5.5 or earlier

--- Step 1 Insert a blank CD into the CD writer

--- Step 2 Launch Nero.

--- Step 3 In the File menu, select "Burn CD image".

--- Step 4 Choose as file type: all files (.), since Nero expects files with the NRG suffix.

--- Step 5 Select the ISO image file

--- Step 6 You will see a dialog box asking if you want to supply detailed image parameters.
(for later versions, these are the default values)

Enter the following parameters:

* Type of image: Data Mode 1
* Block size: 2048 bytes per sector
* File precursor and image trailer: 0 length
* No scrambled and no Swapped.

--- Step 7 Click on "burn". If the program complains that there are errors in the image file, click on the button "Ignore" and launch the burning.

regards
floppy