Please make sure that the machine is switched off when changing the cables etc
1. Get hold of a win98 boot disk 3.5inch floppy, boot your machine with that.

2. Delete all the non dos partions firsts, then the primary dos partion, reboot the machine and run fdisk again, check that all the non dos partions are gone, then create a primary dos partion, which should take you back 120gig's.

3. If the above fails and you have a 2nd hard drive install win98 and partion magic on the 2nd hard-drive, make sure that the 120 gig is disconnected before you do this. Once you have a working drive with partion magic on it, shut the machine down, re-connect the 120 gig as a slave drive and boot the machine again, remove all the partions on the slave drive, and then recreate one large primary dos partion. You can use the boot disk for this with the 2nd hard drive disconnected.

4. Before you toss out Mandrake why do you not get hold of Mandrake 9.1 and give that a try?
Mandrake 9.1 is far less buggy than 10 especially once you have all the up-dates installed.

If you really get stuck mail me, I will try and help you further.

Alright, run fdisk, and delete all partitions. Then create a new partition that's full size. Format your harddrive with "format c:".
Noah

If you decided to use Linux on a full time bassis (not using a "Live" CD-ROM) you could use LoadLin. This way you would not have to "mess" up your Master Boot Record. I have this on my old 386sx because the BIOS will not boot off the hard drive that far (512 MB limit.)
Note: This may not work with Windows XP, some sort of "security" thing.

Is it possible to do an installation of Red Hat or Fedora over an existing Mandrake 9.2 distro?

I've installed a dual boot system with XP Pro but Mandrake doesn't allow me to install my Intel 537 modem driver easily. I need some kernel-source header files which are a 41 mb download over my dial-up connection.

BTW, the Linux experts should give us newbies a break. Not everyone who buys a car wants to be a mechanic/engineer. Some of us just want to drive and get to our destination. Windows tends to help such users. Those who love to tinker under the bonnet and soup-up their engines and build cars might go for Linux.

Thanks for your help.

M.

On an Asus Pundit (small form factor desktop), I have installed Mandrake 9.2. Since I have come across ArkLinux (alpha version), which I really like on my Thinkpad, I have decided to remove Mandrake and install Arklinux on my Asus Pundit. However, when trying to install over top of Mandrake using the iso CD, the system hangs. FYI...it also hung when trying to install VectorLinux over top of it. I'm beginning to think that Mandrake may be causing some of these problems. Tonight, if I have time, I plan to wipe/erase the entire drive with a 3rd party program. Then, I will see if Arklinux will install successfully on a "fresh" drive.

zaharia, I found your post to be insulting to those users that want to use, explore or learn the Linux system.

As you've clearly stated, Linux has no universal procedures in regards to installing software or many other issues. Heck even Windows has it's share of problems. I encourage those that want to learn the Linux system, to get within 1-2 feet of a Linux system and to try and learn it.

Practice makes perfect.

If Linux could do what windows could do I would all together drop windows entirely, but unfortunately it can't.

You don't have to be a licensed carpenter to build your own house.....

d-1


QUOTE]Originally posted by zaharia
to answer your second question TOTALLY honestly , there is tons of treads of people utterly frustrated at how "it doesn't work" because there is tons of people who shouldn't be allowed within 10 feet of PCs. Thats the sad truth. Microsoft made it way too easy for any uneducated shmuck to buy a PC and to point and click and to think "Hey, I'm COMPUTING here!" when in fact they are doing nothing of that sort. Now we got tons of people who have heard of this Linux thing and wanna check it out WITHOUT first even knowing basic computers. Then they run into problems.
to answer your first question, to expect Linux "to do everything" Microsoft's WIndows does is ridicilous. Linux doesn't do desktop as easy as Windows. For example, installing programs is a ...well a nightmare still. Speaking honestly yet again, I am expecting to see you here back in a week or so later, creating posts and saying how Linux doesnt measure up to WIndows. Well, as I said, a lot depends on your computer knowledge and what you expect from your PC to do. It would be interesting to see how far you get. Make sure you read up on your manuals and more imortaint, load up on patience. Good luck. Keep us informed if you please. [/QUOTE]

yeah, I KNOW, truth hurts, doesn't it?

As an "uneducated shmuck", I don't want to be a computer expert. I just want to use the computer to assist in what I normally do - on any operating system. I would hope that every "uneducated shmuck" who knows that asprins help with aches and fevers don't go dispensing medicines. And further, that people like me, who know our limitations, would depend on "educated shmuck" to do computer programming, which some would love us all to be able to do. I can't equate simnply knowing that a car must have oils, lubricants, fuels, a cooling system, a mechanical and electrical system with replacing proper motor engineers.

If you don't like my view, tough. Rant all you want and hurl as many insulting epithets. Yours is a very welcoming way to encourage others along the Linux path.

It sure does, it only reflects on you and your character flaw. (i.e. selfish, impatient & its all about you and no one else.) All you do is alienate yourself from people by making these sorts of statements, but then again, maybe that's your intent.

A wise man once said, if you not going to say something nice, then its best to say nothing it all.

d-1

[QOUTE]Originally posted by zaharia
yeah, I KNOW, truth hurts, doesn't it? [/QUOTE]

I think most bio's let you do a low level format if dos gets mad.

Its easy to see why windows is worth the security risk.

want to install something....go to folder..SEE what you want......Click (open or select) Click (install in C/:Win/prog Files/Blah blah. Click Done...........I can SEE what it is I want and the PC shows me how/where/etc. I dont need to know C# to do it. Thats not what I paid for..........I paid for an operating system that does the PC work for me so I can get on with designing the next super city.....Isn't that the point or would Linus prefer I waisted ten years of my functional life telling Mandrake what to do/How to do it/where and so on......Thats unproductive and that's why linux will never beat windows (unless you can do it better).