[RULE] Intro and installation question

[Kevin Bullock]

Good morning all;

    My name is Kevin Bullock and I am a GNU/Linux user.  I have been 
using GNU/Linux at varying degrees for about five years.  My mantra was 
"Windows Free by '03."  I was there, but have to resort to Windows for 
video editing.  I'm trying to get my All-in-Wonder card, video capturing 
software, and rendering software to work under GNU/Linux. 
    I am also teaching myself C++.  My goal is to get proficient 
enought so as to help debug, patch, etc., opensource projects.  
Eventually use the skills as possibly my main source of income.

    A installation question: I have a Toshiba Satellite 200 CDS with 
24MB RAM and a 800MB HD.  Even when I can get packaged distros loaded 
and running, they are SO SLOW.  I came across the R.U.L.E. Project in 
"Linux Format" magazine.  My last distro was Mandrake 8.2.  I have since 
fdisk'd and formated the HD.  However, even after installing RH 7.3 from 
the disk2.img and slinky.img disks, upon boot-up, I receive the "Stage 
1" message and the machine freezes.  I am presuming that this is the 
remnant Mandrake boot-loader that I have somehow failed to wipe out.  
How can I do this.
    I read the installation page several times, however dumb questions 
follow:  What hdx do I install to?  hda is my 'c' drive, yes?  Do I need 
to use the slinky-v.1.0.7.img if I have the RH 7.3 disks?  Should I say 
install from cd with the slinky.img file on a cd?

    I am pleased to be a part of this project and hope I can contribute 
more than questions.

Kevin