Hi,
I am trying to install a mandrivalinux 2006dvd on a win XP that is no more active and after booting from dvdrom , getting linux interface and pressing enter to install, I get this message:could not mount process loopback and then fatal error.
Does anybody have a clue? I am readdy to erase and reformat disk but don t know how...
Thanks

I would suggest you first try to boot this DVD on another machine, to see if it will boot up. If it will, then you may have some type of hardware issue on the machine you are trying to install on. You will need to find out what hardware you have, and what the incompatibility might be. Any new install you need to investigate hardware compatability. There is a HCL link on this board. Start there.

If it won't boot on another ( other wise working machine ) then you probably have a bad download, or did not burn successfully.

If you check out this board under Download Linux, you will find information on how to burn and verify the ISO image. This is a source of lots of errors for new users. I have seen a number of posts where it turned out the DVD media or speed was an issue.

Once you have a bootable DVD, you will need to make free space on the drive you want to install to. Mandriva has partitioning and formatting tools in the installer. If you no longer want the XP system, delete the partitions and allow Mandriva ( the first time ) to set up the partitioning. It will work just fine. When you know more you can play around with partitioning and formatting. Post back if you need more guidance.

Thanks Cliff for your answer,

I guess it s probably an hardware compatibility problem as it s not coming from the burn and as the notebook I want to use it on is a cheap chinese product.
Then is there any solution at all or should I give up?

you may want to check the RAM (memtest is in the F1 then F2 menu)
also try
noacpi noapic nolapic video=vesa
(there are much more parameters to try provided you start having an hint
of what to disable)
There are things you can disabled in the bios that might help

I would not give up just yet

No, dont give up just yet. Try the suggestions of Emmanuel_uk.

The other thing you could try is download and burn the latest Knoppix live CD and try to boot that. Knoppic has very good hardware detection, and a well documented "Cheat code" list. The cheat codes allow you to change boot parameters and test the ability of the hardware to run linux. You amy well discover why it is not booting your Mandriva DVD.

Hope this helps.

one thought, I have seen a thread once with similarish problem if using dvd/+-RW
Be sure to use a DVD-R (not R)
(this is has to do with some fussy dvd players)

I do not have a DVD drive, so I'm no expert here. I do know some drives will onlt work with one type. Best to consult the manufacturers documentation, and go with that. If you are using el-cheapos, that may be part of the problem.

jetpet did you check your iso burn (checksum etc) as suggested before by camorri.
This is step 1
Ww will do the guesses :P

Hi both,
and thanks a lot for support and help.
re-iso burn: I am not sure what it means but the burn seems ok as it s booting on other machines and somehow boot on this one too but lead me to an error message.

Anyway your support makes me want to go on but I am in Japan and also fighting with a battery/power problem which allow me a limited time of use around 20 minutes(don t laugh I am going to get a hand on this one), last and not least I started a new job 2 days ago so I guess I ll be back on the fight this week and give you a feedback next sunday.

Though on my first trys, I used almost all the logical boot menu of F1 and F2 without success, I will try them again and inform you of the results. I will get also this knoppix burn.
Thanks again and will soon get back... successfully!?

Here it is what we mean by checking the checksum / iso
http://www.linuxclues.com/articles/01.htm

The fact the dvd works ok on another PC is an indication the dvd is ok, but not a total proof.
The checksum is a better method

Good luck with the new job