I have been trying to download Slackware to install on an older computer. I would like to learn Linux. However I have been unable to get an install to work. I thought I had followed the instructions correctly but nothing works. What files do I need. The computer I'm installing on will not boot from cd. I guess what I'm asking for is a step by step instruction for a rank newbie. I.E:
1. Download X file(s)

2. Burn CD

3. Etc

I do know how to create a cd from iso image. I just can't get it to install. Thanks for any help.

there really aren't any steps other than the ones you already listed: download, burn, install. is your BIOS set to boot from the CD?

if you're confused about what file to get, go here and download the 663MB version 9.0 file under the i386 heading that says Slackware - Install.

On some older computers, you won't be able to boot from a CD. But before you assume this is the case, can you browse the CD you burned from windows? It's possible that the iso you downloaded is corrupt. There simple are ways to test this in linux, but if all you have is windows I don't want to try to teach you how to check it. So just try to browse the disk and see if there are a total of approx. 670MB of files on it.

If the disk looks OK, then you'll need to go back to one of the download mirrors and go the slackware/bootdisks/ directory. Read the README.txt file there for instructions on making a bootdisk (floppy). Then go to the slackware/rootdisks/ directory and read the README.txt file there for similar instructions for making the two rootdisks you'll need. With these three disks you can boot into the setup environment for Slack.

Enjoy!
--- Cerbere

Thanks for the help. I obviously downloaded the wrong file. I had a much smaller file than it should be.

let us know how it goes.