Damn Small Linux - Not!

Uta · Joined: 04 Jul 2006 Posts: 1

My laptop setup is a Dell Latitude C800/bios A13 with no option to use USB as a boot device. I am not running Windows on this laptop but rather two different Linux distros. The floppy drive was replaced by a media HD which has one of my Linux distros on it. I have a functioning CD/DVD drive and an 1 GB USB pen on which I want to install DSL-N.
I can easily boot the DSL-N CD and see the options for installing to a USB pen. Since my bios don't support USB device booting and I am not running Windows on this laptop, what are my options for booting the USB pen once I install DSL-N on it and which USB install should I use Zip or HD.
Thanks in advance.

cbagger01 · Joined: 21 Apr 2006 Posts: 27

[quote="Uta"]My laptop setup is a Dell Latitude C800/bios A13 with no option to use USB as a boot device. I am not running Windows on this laptop but rather two different Linux distros. The floppy drive was replaced by a media HD which has one of my Linux distros on it. I have a functioning CD/DVD drive and an 1 GB USB pen on which I want to install DSL-N.
I can easily boot the DSL-N CD and see the options for installing to a USB pen. Since my bios don't support USB device booting and I am not running Windows on this laptop, what are my options for booting the USB pen once I install DSL-N on it and which USB install should I use Zip or HD.
Thanks in advance.[/quote]

According to the Dell website, they are now up to versio A23. Perhaps you need this BIOS update befoer you can perform USB booting.

Most newer Dells (BIOS updates within the last 3-4 years) support USBHDD booting if the latest version of the BIOS is installed.

Insert USB pendrive and press the F12 key while booting, choose USB storage device from the menu.