🚀 go-pugleaf

My objective is to have a multi-boot system with win98, Linux, and
eventually NT. I realize a dedicated Linux box would be easier but I'm not
interested in that (not throwing in the towel yet). Here are my specs and
the symptoms I am experiencing.

System Info:

Dell P2 450 128mb RAM
16mb nVidia TNT video
22 gig hard-drive
Montego II A3D soundcard
19" Trinitron monitor
USR 56k Python modem
USB Intelli-eye mouse (also tried it with my regular PS/2)

Hard-drive configuration:
C: fat32 2gigs
D: fat32 17+ gigs
Ext2 Linux native (2 gigs)
Linux swap (128mb)

Here's what's happening:

(Tried installing RedHat 6.1 and Mandrake -I think 6.0)
Problem 1:
At the end of the Linux installation process when it tries to write the LILO
info into the master boot sector I get an error message that says "Error
writing to boot sector". I also tried writing it to the Linux area as well
and I get the same message. - bombed installation

Problem 2:
When the installation process goes into the X-configuration I can see the
box that asks if you can see it but it doesn't respond to my keyboard/mouse,
thereby timing out in 10 seconds. - bombed installation

I've tried installing several times, selecting bare minimum options and no
networking but the same things always happen. I did the partitioning with
Partition Magic 5.0 and also let Linux format it on several installation
attempts. I personally think it has something to do with the large size of
my hard-drive (location of clusters?) but I wanted feedback from experienced
Linux users. I am an IT professional and I think Linux will be a major
factor in the industry. I'm very excited about getting up to speed with a
REAL OS and with a little nudge from you Linux gurus maybe I'll be able to
jump in head first. E-mails would be appreciated from all, thank you!