USB booting :: how to install my laptop

Hi Everyone,
I want to install dsl on my old laptop. I've tried every thing on this site and others . I've failed to install on this particular machine! (no proplem on other more modern machines, both laptop & desktops, via CD

MACHINE: Gateway 2000 solo 2300
4GB HD, 2xusb(1.1?) cdrom/floppy one at a time install NOT both.
CD drive works but doe's not boot.
RAM 224MB, main chip speed 266.
ethernet pcmcia card
All working OK using libranet 2.8.x(debian) but slow
(originally used 12xfloppy basic-sys. debian - which I can't find on debian now?)

FLOPPY only: I've failed to install fsplit/gnusplit/gkt-splitter. So unable to chopup dsl.iso.

USB 128MB booting(with floppy) was unsuccessful (I suspect the usb-pen is 118MB despite what it says, and have orderd anothre 256MB one. I've got dsl on it 47MB but couldn't det to boot.
No BIOS usb boot. (I've also tried Debian USB boot/install but hit a size of usb-pen problem.)

MAIN PROBLEM:
(apart from not knowing what I'm doing and somewhat confused)
cdrom does NOT boot !? so unable to use live/boot/install cd
can use boot floppy-BUT can't hotplug cdrom???

so having spent many days trying every thing I can think of I am in need of some HELP!!!! preferbly step by step with no assuption of expertese in this.
Thanks for any advice/help you can give.

Hi
This depends a little on how much junk hardware you have laying around. Since your laptop has usb grab an old ide cdrom drive. Buy an ide to usb adapter. This can be a usb enclosure for 5.25" devices or for temporary setup just a kit that contains an adapter cable and a power supply. The latter can be had for about ten bucks from places like GEEKS.COM. Download and create the usb boot floppy. Download and make the CD. Plug in your now usb cdrom drive. Boot. Have fun.
Good luck

Hi hawki,
Thanks for reply and info.
I hadn't known about usb cd enclosures.
I've ordered one!
I'm hoping it works, as it would open up possibilitys re: older laptops.
llew

Two possible ways to install.

(1) Boot using your existing OS and with CDROM drive and DSL livecd. Copy the files over IE: C:\KNOPPIX\KNOPPIX or /KNOPPIX/KNOPPIX to your hda1 partition. Note the UPPERCASE LETTERS.

Then shut down PC and reboot with a DSL boot floppy and floppy drive connected.

(2) Boot DSL livecd on a different, newer computer and use it to do a USBHDD pendrive installation to your pendrive.

Then try to boot it on your Gateway by using the DSL USB boot floppy.

Hi cbagger01 and All,

I've cp /KNOPPIX/KNOPPIX to hda1, installed the floppy drive & dsl boot disk.

It gives:
"Can't find KNOPPIX filesystem, sorry.
Dropping you to a (very limited) shell...."
It ends up at prompt: KNOPPIX#

I've also tried:
boot:[enter].......loding......
boot: dsl fromhd=/dev/hda1
boot: dsl fromhd=/dev/hda1/KNOPPIX
boot: dsl fromhd=/dev/hda1/KNOPPIX/KNOPPIX

What do I do now?

llew

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