Floppy Install

Forum: HD Install
Topic: Floppy Install
started by: PTA

Posted by PTA on Dec. 07 2006,02:29

I have a Thinkpad 560 without a CD-ROM and with out a USB port. I have a box full of floppies (100's of them) and the time to copy them. My only option is to load an OS with floppies. Have I made that clear enough?

can you sense my frustrations?

Is there a way or has someone already made DSL that can be loaded using floppies only?

I would be willing to use paypal for the effort.

PTA

Posted by ^thehatsrule^ on Dec. 07 2006,02:38

See wiki for install options

Posted by PTA on Dec. 07 2006,02:45

Appearently I wasn't clear.

Posted by kerry on Dec. 07 2006,03:17

Your answer is in the wiki-> < http://damnsmalllinux.org/wiki/index.php/Main_Page >

Posted by PTA on Dec. 07 2006,03:31

I have seen that - and if I'm reading that correctly, it will allow a boot to then be installed from a USB or CD-ROM.... not what I'm asking.

Can DSL be install solely with floppies? Without the existence of a USB port or CD_ROM?

There is not an OS on the harddrive so the alternative poorman's install won't work either.

So I guess since no one has actually answered the question (Yes or No) then I'm guessing the answer must be no. Which brings me back to my OP - can someone (obviously not me) make one and have it available for download?

Posted by roberts on Dec. 07 2006,04:01

The answer is YES.
You want 60 floppy images available for downlaod. Surely you jest. Surely you must have access to a machine that YOU can make the 60 floppies as explained in the Wiki.

Posted by PTA on Dec. 07 2006,16:10

I calculated the number of floppies needed would be around 35 or so. Even if it is 60 or 100 for that matter, it is my only option.

And quit calling me Shirley.

Posted by 1xused on Dec. 07 2006,19:49

You didn't say whether you have a network card on the computer you want DSL installed on. If you do, FTP between it and a computer with a CD-ROM drive is much faster than floppies. Around 3 minutes, compared to near 40.

< Free FTP server >
< How to set it up >
< Floppy Image of Pocket Linux > (I suggest *fix-4.bin)
< Floppy Image writer > (fdimage.exe)

You'll have to rename the *.bin to an 8.3 name, and use fdimage from the commmand line.

Posted by PTA on Dec. 08 2006,17:27

you are correct - I didn't say that I had a network card - but I did say floppy only. Thanks anyway.