Mandrake install
 

I've downloaded Mandrake 10.1 (Mandrakelinux-10.1-Official-Download-CD1.i586.iso) on to CD but the computer I want to install it on just says 'Boot from CDrom ...Failure' and kicks into Windows again. The file can't be opened in Windows either.
Can anyone tell me what I'm doing wrong please?

You're not supposed to install Mandrake IN Windows 2000/XP. You need to reboot your computer, set your BIOS to boot from the CD-ROM, and then install Mandrake 10.1 from there. Also, it's a little secret, but you can also boot and install from CD2. Try using CD2 if CD1 fails. Again, you CANNOT install Mandrake in Windows!

The BIOS is set to boot from CD but it fails. I've run md5sum on the iso file and it checks out OK - I'm still downloading CD2.
I was just trying to open up the file in Windows to see if there was an option to format in there but it won't open.

When you say 'the file' - when you check the contents of the disc in Windows do you see only one huge iso file? If so you've not burnt the discs correctly. Find the option in your CD burning app to 'burn disc image' or similar.

Very good point! The files are downloaded as an ISO file. You need a CD burning program that will extract the ISO file. I use Nero in Windows XP. Or, you can grab a program called ISOBUSTER and it will extract the ISO file, which you can then burn the extracted files to the CD.

I'm using Nero and after using 'burn image' menu I successfully created the disks and installed Mandrake.
Thanks for your help.