I am a total newcomer to using Linux. I have just got Mandrake 9.1. I have burned the three ISO files to CD's. After setting my PC to boot from CD-ROM I tried to install from disk 1, ignored. Tried disk 2, ignored. So according to the instructions I need a floppy boot disk created from disk 1 using Windows "my computer". However CD 1 contains 1 ISO file with no directories, so where do I find "dosutils" and "rawwritwin" ? My Linux experience has now ground to a halt.

What cd burning software did you use? In EasyCD (and I think Nero) you need to select file>record cd from cd image. Browse to your iso and it will turn the iso on hard drive into a bootable cd and will allow you to install.

You now have 3 coasters - or you could hand the isos out to friends to create their own install disks.

yup, I kinda agree with XavierP. I think those isos where burned wrong. Watch those links:

http://www.linuxiso.org/viewdoc.php/howtoburn.html

http://www.linuxiso.org/viewdoc.php/verifyiso.html

I use Gear Pro v6, but the original burn was done by a friend with a DVD and burner on the same PC (mine are on separate PC's). I have tried to re-burn using the CD disks he created, but Gear just copies verbatim the single ISO file. There is NO facility to modify this - it just see's the one file. If I need to start changing my burning software, and finding one that works with my SCSI writer, aswell then I think I' ll stick to being a Win 2K meister, at least I have never failed installing one of Bill's disks. Thanks for the replies folks.

If your burning software can't handle isos, and you can't contemplate changing, then I think Windows is probably your best option.

You can d/l a trial version of Nero which will allow you to burn in Windows.