I have mandrake 10.1 on DVD, it never used to do this! In order to log in I have to go to linux- nonfb (whatever that is...) and then it works. When that fails I go back to linux (this usally hangs again) and then try the nonfb route again.

I have been looking into gentoo and ordered the install DVD (was only 10 quid), does it have all the applications that mandrake would have on it's DVD?

Mat

No idea but I doubt it. Gentoo is absolutely nothing like mandrake. Not even close, with Gentoo you compile your entire system from scratch. The "easiest" install method is a stage3 install which has your system already bootstrapped and a compiler and basic apps already installed. It's an advanced distrobution for power users who want the most out of their system as every program you install is compiled specifically for your system. Because of this depending on your system it can take many hours to install, sometimes days.

That said Gentoo is a fantastic distrobution and it's package manager is among the best out there. The site has incredibly good documentation and it will walk your through the install step by step, if you have the docs easily accessible during the install you'd struggle to go wrong.