Trying to install to USB (PNY Attache)
Forum: USB booting
Topic: Trying to install to USB (PNY Attache)
started by: eckertd
Posted by eckertd on Aug. 17 2006,13:35
When booted off the DSL CD, something interferes with the mousepad (or vice-versa) on my Compaq Presario 1200 laptop. X starts up, but one touch on the mousepad sends the cursor to the bottom of the screen with only x-axis movements. I tried using a PS2 mouse, with no response, and the mousepad is still active. Any tips?
Posted by eckertd on Aug. 17 2006,14:18
The file /KNOPPIX/etc/skel/.fluxbox/menu configures the FluxBox menus. In there I found the script that is run when you select install to usb zip/hdd from the APPS menu, so you can perform the install without having X11 (ctl-alt-bsp).$ sudo su
# pendrive_usbzip.sh
or
# pendrive_usbhdd.sh
The latter was successful for my PNY Attache 256MB pendrive.
Posted by eckertd on Aug. 17 2006,14:35
Now I 've got another problem. I put the newly installed pendrive into a Dell Optiplex GX260 (that has both USB keybd & mouse) and select USB Device from the boot menu. The splash screen comes up and it looks like it starts to load, but fails with "Cannot find KNOPPIX filesystem" and dumps me to a restricted shell, but get no keybd response.
Posted by ^thehatsrule^ on Aug. 17 2006,18:24
Check if the /KNOPPIX/KNOPPIX file exists on the root of your usb drive.If it's there, you could try the fromhd= bootcode maybe.
Posted by eckertd on Aug. 18 2006,13:35
| Quote (^thehatsrule^ @ Aug. 17 2006,14:24) |
| Check if the /KNOPPIX/KNOPPIX file exists on the root of your usb drive. If it's there, you could try the fromhd= bootcode maybe. |
/KNOPPIX/KNOPPIX file is there, verified on a Dell OptiPlex GX620/Winxp and CPQ Presario 1200 notebook/Ubuntu.
'fdisk -l' shows a single FAT16 partition, sda1.
I think this is a USB driver or conflict issue. The Dell can boot from USB, and when selected from the BIOS boot menu, the pendrive LED flashes a few times as it goes to the boot prompt. After hitting ENTER or any of the suggested "dsl" strings, it flashes once more, then it gets to discovering USB devices. The USB Optical mouse LED flashes, as do the USB Keyboard lights, but the pendrive stays dark. Then comes the KNOPPIX filesystem not found, dumps to a restricted shell with no keybd response.
fromhd=bootcode did not help.
Posted by ^thehatsrule^ on Aug. 18 2006,14:38
did you use fromhd=/dev/sda1 ?Maybe this is a power issue - try noapm and/or noapic as well
Posted by eckertd on Aug. 18 2006,15:07
| Quote (^thehatsrule^ @ Aug. 18 2006,10:38) |
| did you use fromhd=/dev/sda1 ? Maybe this is a power issue - try noapm and/or noapic as well |
Tried fromhdd=/dev/sda1, noapic, noapm in various combinations to no avail. I going to try to locate a USB-bootable PC with PS2 keyb/mouse to see if it works there.
Posted by eckertd on Aug. 18 2006,17:49
Ok. Same pendrive booted an IBM HS20 BladeServer semi-successfully. There's some X11 issues with starting the desktop, but otherwise ok.
Posted by eckertd on Aug. 30 2006,13:10
Last few attempts on the Dell Optiplex GX620 (w/USB keybd & mouse):Booted with "dsl nousb". This resulted in getting the same "Can not not find KNOPPIX filesystem" and dumps me to a restricted shell, but this time, I *did* have keyboard (usb) response
Booted using the "expert" cheat code and manually loaded the following modules : "sbp2 wd7000 usbcore usb-uhci". It detected USB devices and prompted for more modules from floppy....alas, no keyboard (usb) response.
Posted by eckertd on Aug. 30 2006,13:37
I'd like to add that FreeNAS (http://www.freenas.org) boots fine off a differnet (same brand) USB pendrive, and the keyboard (usb) works just fine on the same Optiplex GX620.This really smells like a usb driver issue.
Posted by eckertd on Aug. 30 2006,14:45
Sorry to plug another distro, but I just booted SLAX (USB pendrive install via MySlaxCreator) from the same pendrive/Optiplex successfully (though the display set to 800x600, which is a bit annoying). I'd MUCH rather use DSL.
Posted by rja on Aug. 30 2006,21:32
| Quote (eckertd @ Aug. 17 2006,10:35) |
| Now I 've got another problem. I put the newly installed pendrive into a Dell Optiplex GX260 (that has both USB keybd & mouse) and select USB Device from the boot menu. The splash screen comes up and it looks like it starts to load, but fails with "Cannot find KNOPPIX filesystem" and dumps me to a restricted shell, but get no keybd response. |
Since you got to the Boot Menu on the Dell, you probably have
already checked the bios settings for USB, but just to make sure:
On a Dell SX270 Boot Menu (which should be similar to your Dell GX260):
System Setup
Integrated Devices (LegacySelect Options)
USB Emulation On
USB Controller On
Posted by eckertd on Aug. 31 2006,14:32
The GX260 was configured as you stated. Additionally, the GX620 also has the following:BIOS A08
F2 -> Setup
-->Onboard Devices
---->USB Controller = ON
---->Front USB Ports = ON
Posted by rja on Aug. 31 2006,21:21
Our SX280's are not able to boot with USB-HDD which is what pendrive_usbhdd.sh creates.Try using pendrive_usbzip.sh which will create a USB drive
which uses USB-ZIP. That is what works with the Dell SX280.
From the DSL menu:
Apps
Tools
Install to USB-Pendrive
For USB-ZIP Pendrive
EDIT:
That should read
"cannot boot USB-HDD from the F12 Boot Menu".
Posted by rja on Aug. 31 2006,21:39
The Dell SX280 can also boot a USB-HDD pendrive from a WinXP or DOS boot floppy with usbaspi.sys, di1000dd.sys, and linld.com.
< http://www.damnsmalllinux.org/dsl-n/f/viewtopic.php?t=336 >
config.sys has:
device=usbaspi.sys /v /norst /nocbc
device=di1000dd.sys
The usbaspi.sys may not need all of those options.
autoexec.bat has:
linld image=c:\linux initrd=c:\minirt.gz "cl=ramdisk_size=100000 lang=us frugal noprompt noeject dma vga=791"
all on one line.
The pendrive may end up as the E: dirve instead of the C: drive.
Watch the messages and adjust if needed.