Nvidia Nforce, Mandrake Problems

[ohaqqi]

I just recently put together a new computer with the following configuration:
-Athlon XP 2400+
-512MB RAM
-60GB HDD
-NVidia Nforce2 IGP chipset

I tried installing Mandrake 9.0 and during installation (when X installs), the screen flickers. I have to select a "server" for my video (?? I'm a TOTAL NEWBIE to Linux) and I chose GeForce4 thats the only one I could think of. When I boot into Linux, I can only go into command line mode, can't start X (I get some error messages)
My questions are:
-Is the Nforce 2 IGP chipset supported by any distribution of Linux (hopefully Mandrake I heard its best for newbies like me)? If the hardware isn't supported by any distribution, I guess my only option is to install updated drivers from Nvidia, if they're available.
-Will the audio be supported?
-If i need to install new drivers, I really need help with that I'm not familiar at all with that process. Nvidia's site had steps on installing their drivers, but that was really confusing, hopefully somebody can find a better tutorial on installing new drivers. :D

Any help is greatly appreciated, and let me know if you need more info!!!

[azgaroth]

maybe you sould try the new mandrake version, the 9.1. i also had the problem with my drivers and with the new version everything went automatic with the installement.

[ohaqqi]

Do you have an Nvidia NForce2 IGP chipset as well? Did Mandrake 9.1 fix that problem?

I went to the Mandrake Linux website and I didn't see the Nvidia NForce2 IGP chipset supported.
http://www.mandrakelinux.com/en/hardware.php3

I guess I may have to go with another distribution? I found the most up-to-date Nvidia drivers (.rpm file) on their website (http://www.nvidia.com/view.asp?IO=linux_nforce_1.0-0256), but I have NO IDEA how to install drivers in the command line mode, since I can't access Xwindows.
Any suggestions?

[NoahsMyBro]

Actually, I have a suggestion I think might fit you to a tee.
Go here:
http://www.nforcershq.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1031&sid=d5fdbff01015a1943e3cf9aa316fbb69 , and scroll down a bit until you see the post by 'Lord Krim'.

He posted a detailed, thorough step-by-step walkthrough to get Mdk 9.0 installed on an Asus A7N266-VM motherboard. I have that board and was having a lot of trouble getting Mandrake 9.0 installed. His instructions worked perfectly for me. The board is an Nforce2 board; I don't know what IGP means, so I don't know for certain that this is relevant for you.

If this is relevant, though, that should help you out a lot. Once I had been through those steps, my only hardware problems left were the USB ports. Flashing from the v.03 to the v.05 BIOS resolved that issue, though and now I'm having fun learning the ins and outs of Mandrake Linux.