PC doesn't detect any bootable CD-ROM

[Benbread]

using Nero 6, i burnt KNOPPIX_V3.3-2004-02-09-EN.iso to disk (CD-ROM (Boot) option), tried to get it to boot (Boot order: CDROM, A, C) but got "Checking Boot CD-ROM, No bootable cd-rom found). The computer is a Packard Bell P3 450, it had NO operating system, just some corrupt sectors on the drive, due to a bad system restore, i wonder if anyone can help me? The file came from ftp.mirror.ac.uk, note, while navagating the disk with Windows Explorer (XP Home) the disk seems empty, but is said to be full, i would have expected windows to complain of the disk being corrupt... Note: The disk had to be Finalized to fit the ISO onto it... Thanks for your help

[zentu]

I only use Nero 5.X, but you don't want the boot Cd option, you want the burn Image Option. or alterntately you want to mount to a virtual drive (daemon-tools is great and free for non commercial use) and then do a CD copy. But First double check the file is valid with a md5 summer program, the one for windows is md5sum (just double check if the number is wrong, the format for windows is different then some of the older versions of the md5 sumers, so you should do a manual check if the image is wrong)

[sn0wflake]

Note: The disk had to be Finalized to fit the ISO onto it...
Did you burn the ISO onto the CD like a regular file?

[Benbread]

I burnt it as CD-ROM (BOOT), had to select All Files from the file type list though, i'll try buring as a normal ISO, and report my finding, thanks :D

[Benbread]

Well, thats weird, seems its a hardware problem. The disk boots FINE on my p4 2.8 laptop (xp home), but still no luck on teh computer i want to install it on! I'll have a look at my BIOS config, i dunno if anyones had a similar problem, maybe its my BIOS version? very unlikely, but it could be, any help would be, errrmmm, helpful :D

[sn0wflake]

It doesn't matter what OS is installed when you boot. It sounds more like a BIOS problem. If you can't boot from CD then try this link: http://www.bootdisk.com/linux.htm
Maybe you could boot from floppy and load the Knoppix installation script from there. Just type "knx-hdinstall" in a console to install Knoppix to harddisk.

Update: Also try reading this post http://www.knoppix.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=9483

[Benbread]

Well, I thought it was a BIOS problem, so i had a little fiddle with my BIOS settings, tried setting drive type to Normal etc, but no luck. What I don't understand is that the computer can boot other disks, but no linux distro's i've created! I am unable to create boot floppies, as the only computer that has a floppy drive for writing, is the one i'm trying to install Knoppix on, maybe if i find a 98 boot disk, or something, i may be able to access the command promt, but i highly doubt it. :( Anyway, thanks all for your help, if you have any more ideas, please let me know.

[zentu]

Do you have any buddies that have a Linux box that live nearby, if so, lug it to their house and have them take a look at it.

You said that it will boot a commercial boot disk... if so you have a few options that I can think of.
First clean you head on the drive, can't tell you how many problems I have had with the spuratic problems that occured with the dirt interfering with the opticals in the drive.
Second, burn the ISO again, but at a slow speed 4X or less, preferbably overnight at a 1X burn, then try.
Third remove the drive and try to see if it is a hardware issue with the drive, plug it into a know good system, maybe just change the IDE cables.
Fourth if it is a older CD-R/w or a strait CD-R, go to the manufacture's web site and download the newest firmware for the drive, maybe it is an issue with the drive's manufacture that they overlooked, or a problem with that brand of media. Just because a drive can burn to disks doesn't mean that all disks are created equal, the first 2X DVD-R would DESTROY a drive, due to a firmware issue.
Fifth, go out and by a version of Linux, or go to a distro site and get a burned copy of knoppix from them *around $3 plus shiping*.

The end of my thoughts... but you always seem to remember more after a good day in a computer class...

[Benbread]

wow, lots of tips! i'll have a go at cleaning the drive, and also try booting using the other drive on that machine (looks like i'll have to change the jumpers, as i dont think my BIOS checks the slave drive) but thanks again, and i'll see what happens :D

[RandomGoon]

This might sound like a stupid question, but did you burn the file directly to the CD or did you burn the image to the CD? It's a subtle, but important, difference. Here's what I did with Nero 6: Open Nero Burning ROM, close the wizard, choose the drop down menu "Recorder", choose "Burn Image...", find the .iso file you wish to burn, choose open. At this point you should be on "CD Image" and able to select your burn speed and if you wish to finalize the disk (yes, you do want to finalize), just hit the burn button and you should be all set.

As an afterthought, you should check your image file with an .md5 checking tool. You can get a Window's executable checker at http://www.toast442.org This will help to insure you have a complete, good image.

'Goon

[Benbread]

RandomGoon, the disk itself is FINE, as i have said numerous times, the disk DOES boot on other machines, its just a problem with the computer in question, i'm gonna pop over to my local computer store, and see they can help, ive tried different IDE cables, switching the drives (changed master and slave jumpers) but i havent been able to actually clean the drives, the laser isnt accesable, unless the thing is completly haxxored, looks like no Knopplix for me :'(

[zentu]

i havent been able to actually clean the drives, the laser isnt accesable, unless the thing is completly haxxored, looks like no Knopplix for me :'(

To clean a CD drive, including CD-R/W you just have to get one of those disks that have the brushes on the bottom, available in almost every store that sells cds, you then just a) load up an audio player and follow the instructions, b) play the disk through the encoder on the drive itself, without booting up an audio program.

[RandomGoon]

RandomGoon, the disk itself is FINE, as i have said numerous times, the disk DOES boot on other machines, its just a problem with the computer in question...

Okay, I appologize for missing that little tidbit...guess blondes shouldn't read too quickly :lol:

At any rate, commercial CDs boot okay but not this particular burn of Knoppix, right? That suggests the drive is okay and the BIOS settings were okay too. It's possible the CD Knoppix is burned on is incompatible with your drive. I know it's a hassle but have you tried a new burn on a different brand of CD-R? Of course I'm not knocking zentu's suggestion of a cleaning; less dust on the lens is always a good thing.

'Goon