[Terminal]

Ok heres the problem I got a 60 gig master hard drive and a 8 gig slave hard drive WinXp is installed on the 60gig and i'm trying to install manrdake linux on the 8 gig. The problem that keeps occuring is when i try to set up bootloader (hda is Xp and hdb is the linux installed drive) when it asks me what to choose i pick MBR but it wont show me the boot screen where i can choose my os it shows a L then just stays their and i cant boot to anything now u may be sayiny use the boot up flopyy disk u made but this computer didnt come with one and when i tried to install one well thats another topic but what u guys think thanks...
remember i dont have a floppy drive

[lynch]

Set your bios to boot from hdb.

[saikee]

You should be able to use Mandrake installation CD to repair or restore the bootloader which is called Lilo. That explains the L.

Swapping the master and slave may not work because your Mandrake has already been installed in hdb. The disk swap will change it to hda and a few files are needed to be edited to get it working again. Best to leave it as it is and persist with the installation procedure.

If that fails we can show you how to get both systems back by a Linux Live CD. Get one ready, like Knoppix, Slax, Crux.....

[Terminal]

I've been using my mandrake cd to change settings of lilo but the same thing over and over man . nothing seems to happens so know i cant use windows or boot to linux so what i did is disconnect all hard drives from ide panel and just hook up the master reinstall windows and reinstall the other 2 slave drives so i got win back but now what how do i go about getting linux on c'mon a computer with just windows is like a gun without bullets what good is it what u gonna do throw it hahah.
I needs mee *nix

[saikee]

Simple now if you got Windows on a separate disk and have time to mess around.

Reverse the order of master and slave disks.
Install Mandrake on the bootable disk (previous slave but now master)
Choose MBR for the bootloader (your Windows MBR in another disk is untouched)
Windows will be one of your bootable choice.

You can get back your original Windows any time by reverse the master and slave relationship.