I recently installed Mandrake 10 Official on my computer. The install went very smooth and everything worked out ok. It's a dual-boot between XP-SP2 and Mandrake 10 OE.

When I booted up Linux, I saw the lines scroll by like a normal linux start up. After it completes, it switches to a black screen. I wait a minute. It's still black. The fan of the comptuer keeps getting louder and louder, but nothing is happening. How long should I wait? Would this be a problem with the graphic setttings? I installed Linux on this computer before but gave up because I wireless would just not work on it. I don't remember seeing black for such a long time when I started up.

I've re-installed Linux 2 times now, and it's just sitting there. Nothing is happening. Any ideas?

Press the NUM LOCK on your keyboard. Does the light still flicker on and off? If so, then your monitor is getting out of sync. This means that you must've selected the wrong monitor during setup, or you need to custom set it and input the correct vertical/horizontal refresh rates with acceptable resolution. Of course, I'm just take a guess.

That's my thought. I'm reinstalling it now... so will post back.

When I click to test my graphic settings my screen gets filled with colors and text saying "If you can read this, press ok."

And I press OK.

Would that mean it's in sync?

Ok... yes. It must be out of sync. Pressing numlock lights up the LCD.

What settings should I pick for a ATI Radeon 9600 Mobility Pro? I'd rather not install Mandrake 30 times trying out every single combination

I Google-ed it, but couldn't find anything.

It's not so much the video card, but the part about configuring your monitor. Did you select a specific vendor/manufacturer in the list? Did you choose generic? Did you choose custom? Did you put in the appropriate refresh rates? You don't need to install Mandrake everytime as you can configure the video file. Unfortunately I doinl't know what it is. Maybe someone else can tell you. It WAS XFConfig-4 in the old Mnadrake, but I don't think it works in 10.1 anymore. also something else to try is to press CTRL+ALT+F2 and see if you get the console screen. If it does, then it's DEFINITELY something with your monitor.