Ok, first off I am totally new to Linux... I am using gentoo linux x86 and I have spent the whole day installing the system, I followed all the steps that I was supposed to from gentoo.org and came to this part.

When it booted it came to the purple screen at the top it says GNU GRUB version 0.94

I hit 'b' for boot, it comes to a black screen that says this:

---------------------------------------------------

Booting command-list

root (hd0,0)
Filesystem type is ext2fs, partition type 0x83
kernel /kernel-2.4.24-gentoo root=/dev/ram0 init=/linuxrc real_root=/dev/hda3

Error 15: File not found

Press any key to continue..._

-----------------------------------------------------------------

my only guess is that I remember a part in the installation that told me to remember my kernal and I didnt see it anywhere on the screen... I used genkernel to install my kernal and the very first thing I did was use the SMP with no buffer i think it was???

I realize this could probably be a huge problem that could have no answer, and I also realize that I probably sound like a super idiot to most of you, but I would really appreciate any help at all to make my system work, i dont want all them hours of installation to go to waste

thanks

I'm not too familiar with genkernel, but your problem might be that you used Kernel 2.4.25-gentoo-r2 actually. (thats the current gentoo-sources)
Also if you used gentoo-dev-sources, it might be 2.6.5-gentoo-r1

Change your grub.conf to reflect what it actually is, and see if that helps.

Good luck, and if you're still stuck, try checking The Gentoo Forums

(sorry about the edits, i had made some errors)

I thank you for your help... it didnt work but you found a type-o in my post I posted 2.4.24 but is was supposed to be 2.4.25 .... here is the new screen

---------------------------------------------------

Booting command-list

root (hd0,0)
Filesystem type is ext2fs, partition type 0x83
kernel /kernel-2.4.25-gentoo root=/dev/ram0 init=/linuxrc real_root=/dev/hda3

Error 15: File not found

Press any key to continue..._

-----------------------------------------------------------------

what I have been working on this whole time is trying to find my kernel source, or something that might explain why the file is not found? Maybe the file isn't there and I messed up by not putting it there... or maybe I am looking for the wrong file?

If anyone has something to add, please do so

thanks

ok, I noticed your edits siroxo, I played around for a bit, and it might just be working... i no longer had the Error 15... this is the change I made
---------------------------------------------------
root (hd0,0)
kernel /kernel-2.4.25-gentoo-r1 root=/dev/ram0 init=/linuxrc real_root=/dev/hda3
initrd /initrd-2.4.25-gentoo-r1
----------------------------------------------------------------
NOW my screen says
-------------------------------------------------------------------
BusyBox v1.00-pre7 (2004.05.18-16:06+0000) Built-in Shell (ash)
Enter 'help' for a list of built-in commands.

/bin/sh: can't access tty; job control turned off
attempt to access beyond end of device
01:00: rw=0, want=4183, limit=4096
attempt to access beyond end of device
01:00: rw=0, want=4183, limit=4096
/ # _

---------------------------------------------------
Is this Linux? I know that is a dumb question.. but I am Brand New here, I have never even seen linux....

It seems like you might be at the command line in some *ash shell, as root.

Try "# echo $0" (don't type the #, that just means to do it at command promt) and tell us what that says. Also if its installed, "# uname" and "# uname -r" can give some reassuring information.

Also, try typing "su" or maybe "su -", and you might get into a prettier shell environment, with a nicer prompt, although I'm not sure why that often works (still somewhat new myself).

thanks again siroxo,

I tried echo $0, nothing happend, it just repeated this:

attempt to access beyond end of device
01:00: rw=0, want=4183, limit=4096
attempt to access beyond end of device
01:00: rw=0, want=4183, limit=4096
/ # _

when I entered uname it printed Linux
when I entered uname -r it printed 2.4.25-gentoo-r1
su and su- both gave me:
/bin/sh: su: not found

I appreciate your help once again... I really dont know whats going on, what I do know is that I followed every step on the installation guide that I was supposed to and they all seemed to work out well, so I am quite confused

if anyone has anything to add please do

To try and attempt what my screen looks like I will show you what it says when I type "help"... hopefully someone will know what I am stuck in:

/ # help

Built-in commands:
--------------------------
. : alias bg break cd chdir continue eval exec exit export false
fg hash help jobs kill let local pwd read readonly return set
shift times trap true type ulimit umask unalias unset wait

Does anyone know how to get out of this?????

Well you've got a good start, then, but you dont' seem to have a real shell installed. (many people use 'bash')

What step are you actually on in the install?
Have you configured your /etc/fstab, and finished setting up your file system?