Peter Taylor wrote:
> I am trying to get Linux running on my Compaq deskpro P2 128MB SFF
> computer. - The one with the slim CDROM drive. I've tried it with red hat 8,
> mandrake 9 and even knoppix in live mode (if that's what it's called).
>
> The problem is with the cdrom drive I think. It can boot from cd , but when
> it gets into setup it goes through a few things and then stops (something to
> do with ramdisk).

http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html

Can you post the error message (please try to quote verbatim)?

> I have a feeling it may be struggling to load the installation program from
> the cd into ram because its a strange CD drive (i.e.. not the usual 5 1/4"
> powered one).

Um, yeah. The error message please.

--
Ben M.

----------------
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To protect the small enterprise from bigger companies.

What do Software Patents do?
In its current form, they protect only companies with
big legal departments as they:
a.) Patent everything no matter how general
b.) Sue everybody. Even if the patent can be argued
invalid, small companies can ill-afford the
typical $500k cost of a law-suit (not to mention
years of harassment).

Don't let them take away your right to program
whatever you like. Make a stand on Software Patents
before its too late.

Read about the ongoing battle at http://swpat.ffii.org/
----------------

"Peter Taylor" wrote in message news:<404722bc_1@mk-nntp-2.news.uk.tiscali.com>...
> I am trying to get Linux running on my Compaq deskpro P2 128MB SFF
> computer. - The one with the slim CDROM drive. I've tried it with red hat 8,
> mandrake 9 and even knoppix in live mode (if that's what it's called).
>
> The problem is with the cdrom drive I think. It can boot from cd , but when
> it gets into setup it goes through a few things and then stops (something to
> do with ramdisk).

This indicates a problem setting up memory for the ramdisk needed to
load the kernel image and run init -- till this operates correctly
setup is a no-go.

> I have a feeling it may be struggling to load the installation program from
> the cd into ram because its a strange CD drive (i.e.. not the usual 5 1/4"
> powered one).

It may be possible that it's drive or drive setup related, but I doubt
it. Suspect it's not reading/mapping ram properly due to the way BIOS
is setting things up. Double check your distros installation
guide/readme file for a way to get past this.

> The disks themselves are fine because I've done other installations from
> them.
>
> Has anyone come across a similar problem with the slim cdrom drives on the
> Compaq deskpro?

Compaqs have a way of providing hair-pulling experiences with
_some_specific_ models. The likely age of yours suggests special
incantations of magic secrets may be needed.

> I'm really quite stuck as to what to do. Any help would be much appreciated.
>
> thanks for any replies.

Explicit error messages are needed together with specific Compaq
model. Specific CD model may also be needed -- you may have to go to
tech support to get this if you don't have eg., Win running on the
box.

If you do have Win running any info re: your hardware and hard disk
layout would be nice.

You likely need a BIOS update (aka ROMPAQ) and/or a Compaq diagnostics
floppy to get some needed info and test for possibility of bad ram.

With collected info you can Google both the web and groups with a
searches similar to this:
Compaq model# Linux install
or
Compaq model# yourLinuxDistro install

Some Compaqs just need coaxing to get up and running properly. Share
your info here if you can't find a ready-made solution.

Compaq tech support sites are changing -- try here:
Support entry portal
http://h71025.www7.hp.com/support/home/index.asp

Files/upgrades for all Compaqs
http://h18000.www1.hp.com/support/files/index.html

Reference Library
http://h71025.www7.hp.com/support/ho...untrycode=1000
This led to 116 advisories listed for this series -- you'll have to
plow through these on your own.

While there grab any and all tech info/files you can -- you may not be
able to find them easily again if/when you need them.

hth,
prg
email above disabled

Sorted it now, I just used another CDROM drive to install from. Thanks for
the replies.
"Peter Taylor" wrote in message
news:404722bc_1@mk-nntp-2.news.uk.tiscali.com...
> I am trying to get Linux running on my Compaq deskpro P2 128MB SFF
> computer. - The one with the slim CDROM drive. I've tried it with red hat
8,
> mandrake 9 and even knoppix in live mode (if that's what it's called).
>
> The problem is with the cdrom drive I think. It can boot from cd , but
when
> it gets into setup it goes through a few things and then stops (something
to
> do with ramdisk).
>
> I have a feeling it may be struggling to load the installation program
from
> the cd into ram because its a strange CD drive (i.e.. not the usual 5 1/4"
> powered one).
>
> The disks themselves are fine because I've done other installations from
> them.
>
> Has anyone come across a similar problem with the slim cdrom drives on the
> Compaq deskpro?
>
> I'm really quite stuck as to what to do. Any help would be much
appreciated.
>
> thanks for any replies.
>
>