New-comer with a problem

[Rowan Trau'e]

Hello everybody
     As a new-comer to the list I feel very embarrassed about asking for help but here goes.
I have been trying to install Mandrake 9.1 onto my old HP system and it loads ok but it will not boot up in the new system as it should - I was running Windows 98 and reformatted the system to accept Mandrake. The system in question is a 300mhz AMD K6-2 proc and 256M of ram but all I ever get after 5, yes 5, loading sessions is what appears to be a pale blue desktop screen and nothing else. I am very keen to use this OS but it is driving me crazy after all this.
     If I can get it to work I am considering installing it on my new system.

     Any advice that list members could give me about what I am doing wrong would be much appreciated. It is probably a very simple thing so HELP.

Rowan Trau'e