Linux Distribution for Dual Athlon MP

Recently, I got a dual Athlon MP machine, and I decide to install Linux on it and use it as my database server. I has tried serveral popular Linux distributions, include RedHat 7.2, Mandrake 8.1, and Suse 7.1. However, none of the distributions could function properly on my machine. RedHat can detect and install an SMP kernel for me, but my machine is hung up while booting. Mandrake and Suse just install me a kernel for single processor, and they work fine (but consider my machine as a single processor system).

Could anybody give me advise for this problem?

Debian is too 'hacker feel' for me! I am not a Linux expert.

How to let Mandrake 8.1 install the 'enterprise kernel'? I can't get this option during installation.

I has taken a try, but the system mess up finally. It seems that it can't just put the SMP kernel to it, many configuration parameters should put on it to let it run properly.

Linux seems that it doesn't really SMP ready. If I can't get this job done within next 2 days, I will turn to Windows 2000.

Anyway, thanks very much for your help.

Just one question, have you ever install Linux on any SMP system and sucess? If it is yes, please tell me what Linux distribution and version you used.

athensy, RedHat 7.0 on a dual PII. I'd like to help you get things going, but I need to know exactly what the problems are. If you can tell me what went wrong, error messages, and what you've tried, I can give it a shot. Otherwise, I'm just guessing.

Red_Zealot, a fresh kernel is nice, but I really don't think it's required. All of the current distros ship with an smp capable kernel on the cdrom. No-one should have to compile just to get a working box, especially not someone new to Linux.