Making a Linux only PC...

[TheGreatPoo]

I know that I have already asked these questions on the "Windows" forum but like my retarted self, didn't look around and just discovered that there is a Linux/Unix forum!  God I can be dumb sometimes!  Sorry bout that.  

I downloaded Mandrake Linux 8.2 from one of Mandrake's mirrors (all three ISO images) and would like to fresh install (without windows) on a couple of machines.  I burned the ISO Images onto fresh pretty CD's and was happy.  I booted from the install disc on one computer and about 15 seconds into the installation loading, it stops and a message pops up saying that the installer couldn't initialize the RAM Disc.  It also says that this could be a hardware problem OR a Linux Kernel bug!  I tried to install it onto two completely different machines and BOTH times the same message appeared.  Since the same message appeared at the same time on both machines I'm guessin something happened during the download (which ONLY took 26 HOURS) to screw up the Linux kernel or something.  Any ideas?  I do plan on getting a book on Linux.  What book should I get for Mandrake?  Thanx in advance for any help that anyone can provide!

[voidmain]

There should be an md5sum file on the site you downloaded the CD.  Run the md5sum on the downloaded ISO and see if they match.  If they match then your ISO is good and you probably just got a bad burn.

As far as books go, the Unleashed book are pretty good for n00bs.  I know there is a "RedHat Unleashed" and a "Linux Unleashed" but I don't know if there is a "Mandrake Unleashed".  And all of the manuals for Mandrake can be found on Mandrakes web site.  Those manuals plus a "Linux Unleashed" should be a pretty good combo...

[Sleeping Dog]

I ran into a similar install problem with downloaded Red Hat 7.2 install (on an older P-300 machine).

Just for snits and giggles I did a BIOS flash upgrade and "ba-botta-bing", the load issues disappeared.  Go figger'.

Sleeping Dog