Hi, this is my first attempt at having a go at linux!!....anyway, I have decided to go with mandrake 9.2 as it seems to be the noobs distro of choice.

Well, I can't even get the install finished!! I get to the point where It lists the devices that are in my computer...The only one that says "not configured" is my graphics card which is a Geforce Ti4200...pretty standard stuff.

So I click on configure and select geforce 4. It then asks me do I want to use Xfree 4.x.x or 3.x.x. If I choose 4.x.x, it totally craps itself and the install does not complete properly. If I choose 3.x.x, it lets me configure the monitor etc, but when I test the config, I get nothing but "an error occured", with means that if I let it continue and reboot, typing startx after logging in results in errors that relate to the graphics system.


Please help somebody!!.....not a very good start for my first go eh?

ps what the hell is Xfree anyway??


Regards

Pete

pss please don't just say "fix this file with a bunch of code"...you are dealing with a complete noob...but I want to learn!!

psss Hi everyone...I am obviously new to the scene

It sounds to me like you may be testing the configuration (clicking the "Test" button). The test may have probs in the installation (especially with a bad CD), so you might just want to skip it and continue with installation. Personally, I would never select XFree86 3.x, as it's total archaic crap. Mandrake 10 isn't even going to include it anymore.

Just so you know, you need to download NVidia's custom drivers after the install if you want 3D acceleration (I have a GeForce 2 myself, it works beautifully with Mandrake). Oh yeah, and the 3D drivers don't work with XFree86 3.x, afaik.

If you have any more probs with X after you install, I would venture to guess that it's something with your monitor, since the "nv" driver should work with no probs.

OK, I bought the cd's from a bloke on ebay...they look like cheapo discs. I reburned them on some decent ones but still no good...same errors.

If I choose the 4.x Xfree, it has some sort of error and then the install goes funny and says you have not configured x yet, do you want to continue, and finishes the install.

Is there some magic commands that I can put in once I have logged in?

BTW my monitor is a Hansol 720a 17"...pretty standard stuff.

Thanks in advance

Pete

Oh yeah..the mandrake move cd works without a problem!

I've honestly never had that problem in the installation before, but if you have copies of bad copies, that might explain it. If getting CDs from the Mandrake store is too expensive for you, why not download the ISOs yourself? Then you can burn a fresh copy, and rule out media problems.

lol.......dial up connection

Looks Like:
MandrakeMove 19.9 USD
9.2 Mandrake Linux (Discovery) 39 USD
9.2 Mandrake Linux (Powerpack) 69 USD
From Mandrake Store ^^
*Much better quality than cheapo burned crap, and Powerpack comes with 7 CD's and a manual (MandrakeMove is a LiveCD distro, i.e Knoppix)

OR

Download for about 24 hours :-D

Just get the discovery one. That money helps the guys a lot. BTW, I have the downloaded version but I'm gonna buy mandrake 10 when it comes out.