won't boot: can't unmount cdrom

[cerulean]

Hello,

I'm trying linux out for the first time. The Knoppix CD worked for me on a desktop system, but it won't start up on my Gateway M675 laptop. It gets to a point where it goes something like:

Can't unmount CD yet...
Can't unmount CD yet...
Can't unmount CD, please reset.

..and the computer promptly shuts down. It's a brand new laptop, and there are no problems with the CD-ROM drive. I've searched for a solution in FAQs, etc, to no avail.

Thanks for any suggestions.

[glguy]

Hey there,

I have the exact same laptop and the same error happens.
Tried booting Knoppix 3.4 with 2.4 Kernel and it resets itself just after it registers the CPU. Then again with 2.6 and the same thing exept it says to eject CD so it can reboot.

Just a note, Knoppix 3.3 works fine with these laptops though.

Anyone else experience this problem with a resolution?

Going to try some bootup cheatcodes and see if this works.

[glguy]

Hey there,

Success! The main thing with these laptops is the acpi.
You have to use the cheatcode: knoppix acpi=off .
This works with the default 2.4 boot.. haven't tried 2.6 yet.
Give some of those cheatcodes a whirl and see what else you might get!

Next I hope they get the ndiswrapper added to the CD so our Broadcom wireless nics will work!

Have fun!

[cerulean]

Yes, this works for me too - thanks a lot!