Installing Linux RHL 6.2

[salooha]

ASA,

I am trying to install RHL 6.2 on an old compaq machine I have, it used to have windows 2000 pro on it. anyway I formated the hard disk, partitioned it using fdisk utility from a dos bootup disk. I have the complete reference for Red Har Linux book that came with a publisher's edition for linux CD. I checked the hardware requirement and my machine is well qualified for the installation. I followed the instructions in the book step by step. I created a boot "install" disk for linux to boot the computer from so that i can access the CD. unfortunately i don't have the option in the bios for this computer to boot from the CD. so, I booted from the Linux install disk that I created after copying the boot.img to it as the book indicated.

when i restart the computer from the linux install disk. it gives me the linux menu with the boot: at the botom of the screen but i hit enter it starts saying "Loading" and then it gives me a message saying "boot failed please change disk and press any key to continue"

I am not sure why i get this message.

Any input/ideas/suggestions would be really appreciated.

JAk
salah

[wizard]

if u have the installation CDs.. u dont need a boot disk

just place teh first CD in the CD drive.. and the installer should load on bootup

[salooha]

Thanks wizard,

my compaq as i mentioned can't boot from the CD. I only have one CD that came with the book. I have another linux book (linux crash course) that came with 2 CDs for linux 7.2, I tried that as well. but it is not working. I am really looking to bring this computer back to life with libux installed on it. I don't want to reinstall windows. I want to learn linux.....:)

does this sound like a "compaq" problem??

[wizard]

u need to get the CD to boot... search the internet on how you can get the computer to boot from CD.. you will need to configure something in your windows

beware..coz linux can be a nightmare in the beginning.. when i installed linux on my computer, the first few weeks were frustrating.. i wanted to punch my fist into the monitor sometimes..

when u get used to linux ... u will find it much more relieving than windows.. .but there are somethings in windows that linux doesnt, like you will have hard time trying to access streaming videos (i still have problems with that) ..

a few links you might wabt to check out are:

gimp.org (great graphics program for free)
gaim.sf.net (Gnome AIM .. you can connect to many servers from this one)
art.gnome.org (some good splash screen,etc)
amsn.sf.net (aMSN .. clone for MSN messenger)
xinehq.de (great video library + player)
redhat.com (redhat's site)
freshmeat.net (great applications can be found here)

[salooha]

hey wizard,
thanks for your help. I downloaded RHL 9.0 and installed. it works great and the installation was so easy. I think older version of RHL linux are just harder to install.