[plug] re Mandrake 7.1 Install

[Len Bird]

Edwin Johnston wrote:

> Hi group,
> just got a copy of Mandrake 7.1 and tried to install. Have got the Sam's
> book "Learn Linux Mandrake" in 24 Hours" which comes with a copy of 7.0.
> Anyway, tried installing Linux by following the book and it wasn't very
> clear when it came to setting up the hard disk. I've got 2 HDs, a 6.4Gb for
> Windows 98 and a 4.2Gb which I intend to use for Linux. In the installation
> process (don't ask me how) the FAT on HDA (the 6.4Gb) got overwritten and
> I've had to reinstall Win98 <groan, what a pain>. The installation aborted
> and I did not get Linux on the 4.2Gb drive.
> I've just spent the last two days trying to fix up the Win98 disk but I
> still cannot get Windows to recognise my second CD ROM (burner) on bootup.
> It will recognise it if I go to Control Panel, Add New Hardware.
>
> I do intend to reinstall Mandrake 7.1 ASAP but would welcome some advice on
> how to:
> 1. Overcome the CD ROM burner problem.
> 2. How to avoid having happen what happened on the previous install.
>
> Many thanks in advance,
> Edwin Johnston

Hi Ed. First of all if you have got Mandrake running in Konsole for
preference, take a look
at /etc/lilo.conf   .  In order to do a dual boot this file should have an
entry that looks a bit
like this.

other=/dev/hda1
        label=Windows
        table=/dev/hda

If this or something like it (sometimes label=dos) then edit /etc/lilo conf,
save same and RUN lilo.

If this does no good, then get a copy of  the Maxtor Hard Disk Utility from
www.maxtor.com. One of
the  utilities is called "baktrak" It does two things, one is to wipe your
Hard Disk completely which
is probably not what you immediately want to do, but the other option is to
make a copy of the MBR
or a number of copies of the MBR which you should do immediately after
installing Windows, and
probably after installing Linux. It is a bit basic but you can recognise the
MBR image you want from
the time and date which it logs. If you do this, and manage to screw up your
Windows you can restore
the situation simply by chosing the appropriate MBR record.
 Have fun, and the best of luck,

Len Bird