LiveCD boot line magic words

[r+9]

Could someone point me to the magic behind all the extra boot code like noapci and the sort. I want to understand what they are, why Linux has to worry about them but not Windows and how can I hone in on the correct magic word to get a certain error to go away.

I'm an seasoned newb but I've recently converted a friend (and my boss) to the Linux side but something in his "modern" (dell box) is crashing before the LiveCD will boot, I gave him a Linux Mint 8.10, the same disk I installed. I also tested the disk after his issues and had no problems.

we tried a few but no luck, I'd rather know the magic rather than guess my way through the words. Also... really why is it so important to Linux install but I've never seen it in a windows install.

[Partyboi2]

Here are a few links I have bookmarked on the different boot options and what they are used for.

https://help.ubuntu.com/6.10/ubuntu/installation-guide/i386/boot-parms.html
http://oreilly.com/catalog/debian/chapter/book/appd_05.html
http://www.tldp.org/HOWTO/BootPrompt-HOWTO.html
http://www.linuxmanpages.com/man7/bootparam.7.php


Edit: what is the error you were getting when you tried to install on the dell?

[r+9]

thanks I will look into those,

I'm still somewhat stumped at why a Linux install requires this extra step where I've never run into a windows install having the same issue.

does anyone know the reason? It makes me feel somewhat "insecure" not knowing. Sorta.