this is the first time i am installing a linux distro.
when i boot from the linux mint 7 CD (which is also a live CD), it boots perfectly and shows the screen where there is a bar moving (and a message showing 'from freedom came elegance'). but after that a command prompt (sumthing titled as busybox and ash...)appears instead of a gui desktop (from where i could've got the install button). it is allowing me to type into that promt. I could not find solution 2 this on any site.

I'm already having Windows XP (service pack 2) on C drive. i wished to have dual-booting. I'm having a P-IV 1.7 GHZ, 512 MB Ram. I dont have a separate video card. i've on board agp (intel 82845 G/GL/GE...). I'm desperate 2 try linux. plz help.

(Also while in windows when i access the CD, there is a program called mint4win. When i specify the drive and USERNAME/PSWD and proceed, it asks for internet connection (which i'm temporarily not having at home).

what happens when you type
startx

I don't use Mint, but I am very well versed in Ubuntu (which Mint is based on). Ubuntu has an option to start the live CD in "safe graphics mode". Does the Mint CD offer an option like that when you boot it up? If so, then try that.

If all else fails, I would recommend installing Ubuntu 9.04 32 bit from the alternate install CD. This is a text based install CD that will avoid the graphics problems you are experiencing.

And welcome to the LQ forums!!

@repo
nothing happens when i type startx
the screen is like this when i type startx:

(initramfs) startx
/bin/sh: startx: not found
(initramfs)

@tommcd
No, the mint CD does not offer "Safe Graphics Mode". Imfact it does offer to start in 'compatible mode' & also in 'installer only' mode but all lead to the same prompt.

Plz... sum1 help.
I've heard a lot about linuxquestions.org. They say its forums can solve any problem in the world on linux.

How did you burn the CD? Did you check the CDs md5sums to verify that the disc is good?
When you boot the Ubuntu live CD, it has an option that says "check CD for defects". This verifies that the disc is good. If Mint has an option like that when you boot up the CD, run it to check the CD to verify that it is good.

If Mint does not have a disc checking option, try checking the md5sums from Windows as in this tutorial:
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/HowToMD5SUM

You could try burning the CD again using Infra Recorder. Be sure to burn the CD at the slowest possible speed to minimize the chance for disc corruption:
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/BurningIsoHowto