I have an error at boot stating "unable to open an initial console". Now I have found possible a way to resolve this (not really) but I am unable to move past this screen and I am not able to type on the command line. It either boots or boot from a cd (laptop with no floppy).

I feel retarded asking but any suggestions or help?

Yes, he's a good friend of mine, really nice guy.

Sorry, couldn't help myself.

Aren't you supposed be gone from the boards

Co-worker gave me this laptop because he couldn't install XP over Linux. It doesn't have a floppy and I can't get around this error Oh well, I will probably just tell him he is SOL because im tired.

you cant install XP over linux ... you need to reformat the drive into NTFS system before you can install XP, unless you mean you want to install them on different partitions.

True...but how in the hell do I get past this frigging error? It's not reading disk...and I thought about making a bootable zip disk but that wont work..

what linux version are you trying to install ? If nothing works pop in a XP disk and install over linux

Dude didn't even tell me...ThizLinux is at the startup. Also it won't read any disk even though the reader is working its little heart out...I think I am giving up.