Mandrake install freezes before install program loads

[Eric Lauritzen]

Thanks to all for the replys on my Mandrake 8 install problem.


> I don't remember reading anything about you swapping out your video card!

I only have  the one video card - I don't think I'll be able to afford
swapping in another for troubleshooting purposes, but I'll check it against
the supported hardware list at Mandrake.

> Again confirm all components are secure in their respective locations.

Done.  I took the computer appart and gave it a cleaning.

> Confirm that your master boot record is clear before another install, If
you
> are planning to install from a blank hard drive.

I ran the fdisk /mbr on a blank HD and it still didn't work.

> Do you plan to keep RH installed?

I don't want to keep this version.  If I could get my hands on the newest
version of RedHat I'd give it a try - it has the latest Kernal and latest
version of KDE right?  But I don't want to spend any more money, (spent $80
for Mandrake) and I can't download cuz I don't know how to make disks under
Linux, and may not even be able to - Mandrake doesn't support my model of CD
burner.

> Use the Mandrake boot loaders, try Lilo.

How do I do that?  Let it boot to Lilo, and then type something to make the
install happen?

> Again remove your ram and test it or try fresh ram.

I've tried it without each stick that's in there - no change.  I can't
afford to buy more, however I'm thinking of buying a new computer.

> Confirm none of your hardware is on the crap list, they all appear to be
ok.

If I understand the manual, it says running install in expert mode prevents
it from detecting hardware.  I've done this, and while the error is often
slightly different, it still locks up.

Thanks again for all the help and quick replys.  I do appreciate it.

-Eric

>
> Do your best.
>
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Eric Lauritzen [mailto:lauritzen at hawaii.rr.com]
> > Sent: Tuesday, May 29, 2001 6:33 PM
> > To: Linux & Unix Advocates & Users
> > Cc: lauritzen at hawaii.rr.com
> > Subject: [luau] Mandrake install freezes before install program loads
> >
> >
> > Hi All,
> >
> > I'm hoping the list won't mind too much if I introduce myself by
> > asking for
> > help with a problem, but first a little small talk.
> >
> > My experience with Unix/Linux has been sparse so I definately fit
> > well under
> > the "newbie" category.  I have experience with computers but it's always
> > been with Microsoft products, so Linux is very foreign to me still, but
I
> > can see where the effort to get past the learning curve will be worth
it.
> >
> > The problem in a nutshell:
> >
> > I boot from the Mandrake - Linux 8.0 install CD as per the
> > manual, it boots
> > to a Welcome screen with the option to hit enter or F1 for more options.
> > Regardless of what route I take, the computer locks up, and I get
> > any of the
> > faulty symptoms listed below during the part where text is moving up the
> > screen.
> >
> > My first day of attempts and troubleshooting was while trying to set it
up
> > for dual boot.  Then I partitioned the hard drive and tried for a
> > while on a
> > blank hard drive,  and now I have installed Red  Hat 7 successfully.
The
> > problem persists.
> >
> > Below are also faulty indications, things I've already tried, and as
much
> > detailed information about my system as I could lay hands on.
> >
> > Faulty indications and error messages:
> >
> > -all the keyboard lights illuminate (most of the time)
> > -computer is completely unresponsive (not even the on/off
> > pushbutton works,
> > only the reset button)
> > -no hard drive activity for over 10 minutes
> >
> > Sometimes, after the welcome screen, the screen just goes black -
> > especially
> > if I try standard graphical install
> >
> > Most often it stops just after the following text is the last displayed:
> >
> > Partition check:
> > hda: hda1 hda2 <hda5 hda6>
> > RAMDISK: Compressed image found at block 0
> > Uncompressing....
> >     --->and then the system is locked - this one usually occurs when I
try
> > the standard graphical install
> >
> > Sometimes it gets much farther, after the "Welcome to Linux -
> > Mandrake" and
> > something about drinking egg whites, and looks like this:
> >
> > Running install...
> > CPU 0: Machine Check Exception: 0000000000000004
> > Bank 0: f200008000000800
> > Bank 3: b200000000080a01
> > Kernal Panic: CPU context corrupt
> >         this usually happens when I attempt the text or an expert
install
> >
> > On rare occasions there will be some other text it stops at, but
> > over 95 out
> > of 100 times I'd say it's one of the above.
> >
> > What I've already tried:
> >
> > -swapped memory sticks in and out
> > -removed the nic - the only other card besides the video card
> > -disabled plug n play
> > -disabled everything else I could think of
> > -tried a different set of install CDs
> > -tried the install from two different CD drives
> > -tried booting from a install floppy instead of CD
> > -ensured the install CDs worked on another computer
> > -tried all modes of installation expert, vgalo, vgalo expert, text, text
> > expert, etc
> > -tried specifying the amount of memory as a boot option
> > -booting with windows startup and typing fdisk /mbr (before I
> > installed RH7)
> >
> > System Information:
> > (I know I included a lot that is probably unnecessary, but everywhere
else
> > I've asked for help they wanted more - so here it is)
> >
> > Dell Dimension XPS D266
> >
> > Microprocessor - Intel® Pentium® II with MMXT technology
> > 266 MHz internal/66 MHz external
> >
> > Compatibility speed can be set through the system setup program (all
cache
> > memory is disabled to simulate compatibility speed)
> >
> > L1 cache 32 KB
> >
> > L2 cache 512 KB
> >
> > Microprocessor mounting - single-edge contact (SEC) cartridge connected
to
> > the system board contains microprocessor and cache circuitry
> >
> > Math coprocessor - internal to microprocessor
> >
> > System chip set - Intel 440LX PCIset
> > Data bus width - 64 bits
> > Address bus width - 32 bits
> > DMA channels - 7
> > Interrupt levels - 15
> > System BIOS chip - 2 Mbits (256 KB)
> > System clock - 66 MHz (matches external processor speed)
> > Diskette/communications ports - 24 MHz from the system clock
> >
> > Expansion Bus:
> >
> > Bus types - ISA, PCI, and AGP
> > ISA expansion-card connectors - 1 full-length
> > PCI expansion-card connectors - 3 full-length
> > AGP expansion-card connector - 1
> > Shared expansion-card slots - 1 full-length (slot contains both
> > an ISA and a
> > PCI connector, only one of which can be used at any given time)
> > ISA bus frequency - 8.33 MHz
> > PCI bus frequency - 33 MHz
> > AGP bus frequency - 66 MHz
> > Plug and Play revision - 1.0 A
> > PCI bus specification - complies with PCI specification 2.1
> > PCI-to-PCI bridging - supported
> >
> > Memory :
> > DIMM sockets - 3 [2 - 32Mg + 1 128MG = total 128MG]
> > DIMM capacities - 16, 32, 64, and 128 MB
> > Minimum RAM - 32 MB
> > Maximum RAM - 384 MB
> > BIOS address - F0000h
> > DIMMs registered or unbuffered - unbuffered
> > Frequency - 66 MHz
> > Clock cycle - 15 ns (supports 2- or 4-clock DIMMs)
> > CAS latency - 2
> > SPD revision - 1.0
> > DIMM voltage - 3.3 V
> >
> > Sound:
> > Audio chip set  - Yamaha OPL3-SA3 Enhanced 3D Audio controller, a
> > single-chip audio system that integrates OPL3 and its DAC, a 16-bit
> > Sigma-delta CODEC, MPU401 MIDI interface, and joystick with timer
> >
> > Wave-table MIDI chip - Integrated Yamaha OPL4-ML2 chip
> >
> > Video:
> > STB Velocity 128 (Nvidia 128) AGP 4MG
> >
> > Hard Drive:
> > Maxtor 88455D8 (8 gig)
> >
> > CDROM Drives:
> > SAF CD-RW6424A
> > NEC
> >
> > BIOS Version 4A4LL0X0.10A.0017.P06(A05)
> >
> > I cant think of any more information to provide.  If anyone knows
> > what else
> > I could try
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > ---
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>