On Monday 17 December 2001 05:46, you wrote:
>
> I have tried to boot from the cdrom, but the system ignores it even
> after adjusting the bios. So I have to reboot into dos and use the
> autoboot.bat file from the /dosutils folder on the cdrom. Caldera
> allows installation from within windows, which I have used before with
> no problem. I have also tried creating a boot disk using the tools
> provided on the installation disk (mandrake). Regardless of the
> installation method, I get the same error.
The following is a guess. To help you we need more precise information.
So you're at the install stage, am I right? You know what you're talking
about, but we're not so sure :). When you load Mandrake, does it get as far
as saying "In second stage Install"? Excuse a lesson in detested operating
systems.
Now if it can't mount the root fs during an install, It's a cdrom problem.
Have you a DOS driver for the cdrom loaded? Start up, press F8 repeatedly
around the time it's saying "Starting Windows 95..." and choose step by step
confirmation. There should be a DOS (not windoze) driver such as cdrom.sys in
the config.sys. Write down the cd line line of options it offers
you(something like /D:MSCD001) Don't load the registry, windows drivers, or
windows. Does mscdex.exe load? Never mind - load it yourself this way
mscdex /d:(repeat details of /D: option from cdrom.sys)
It should assign a drive letter to your cdrom. (Let's say it's D:) Type
D:
cd dosutils
autoboot.bat
My guess is that you'll fail around the D: stage, of this process if not
before. This will prove a dud cdrom drive. Of course we're all presuming you
have a standard ide cdrom that you think works. If you get in, but then have
cdrom problems, it's a nonstandard cdrom driver, or being driven off the
soundcard's ide interface, or something stoopid like that. That might explain
not booting from the beast.
Prove things beyond doubt. Prove the install disk is good. Prove the floppy
works. Prove the cdrom works. Something you're taking for granted is letting
you down.
--
Regards,
Declan Moriarty
Applied Researches - Ireland's Foremost Electronic Hardware Genius
A Slightly Serious(TM) Company
Experience is like a comb,
that Life gives you - AFTER all your hair has fallen out!
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