Thinkpad 560 No CDROM No Floppy Install
Forum: HD Install
Topic: Thinkpad 560 No CDROM No Floppy Install
started by: rmflagg
Posted by rmflagg on Mar. 08 2005,08:05
Hi all,I have a friends Thinkpad 560 that has no CDROM, no floppy and no network connection. What are my options to boot DSL?
The TP560 claims that it can boot from PCMCIA slot, so would it be possible to write an iso image to a compact flash card and then boot from that? Has anyone tried this with any success? If so, how can I make sure that the cf card is bootable?
I know that there are other methods, but I don't have an adapter to take out the hd and put it into a desktop and install that way. The person that I am doing this for doesn't have any money to go buy a floppy to try to boot from either. Can anyone shed some light here?
Thanks,
RMFlagg
Posted by melontree on Mar. 08 2005,09:36
it will only boot from pcmcia if bios allows booting from pcmciaotherwise you have to install a bootmanager on hd
which either boots from hd or manages booting from pcmcia
install grub on your hd. i ll post a grub-howto in the next days
because the infos i got here and on grub page didnt work for me
Posted by melontree on Mar. 08 2005,09:43
installing something on hd maybe an easy way is to
extract the hd from notebook
plug this hd on a desktop station using
a desktop-hd to notebook-hd converter cable,
it is without any electronics.
simply install DSL on this hd with grub,
boot your dektop from the notebook-hd,
if that works
put hd back to the notebook.
(i ll post a howto the next days)
Posted by Max on Mar. 08 2005,18:54
I recently upgraded the harddisk in a 560X. It was pretty easy actually. You can still find the tech manual with pics on the IBM site. Only tricky part is the little shield they have attached to the harddrive.
Posted by rmflagg on Mar. 14 2005,21:24
Ok, as per my initial message, I don't have an adapter to do a 'removed hd' install. That is not an option.I don't have a cd-rom drive or a floppy, so neither of them is an option.
What I do have is the ability to boot from pcmcia, and I do have a CF adapter and a CF card(128mb).
So, with that information, what do I have to do so that I can boot the computer with DSL and THEN perform a hd install?
I have tried to dd the iso to the cf card and then boot from that, but with no luck. Can anyone shed some light? I don't want to sound mean, but if you are only going to suggest one of the unavailable options, don't respond.
Thanks,
RMF
Posted by Caspar_s on Mar. 16 2005,18:04
Make a bootable DSL install on the CF first. (not just the iso)Boot your cd (or however you run DSL) and then go to the menu Apps/Tools/Install to Pendrive. This makes your compactflash bootable, just like the pendrives.
Test it. You might have do change things depending on your cf. I had to wipe out all the partitions on it and make a new one. The bioses usually work on USB-zip. Copy all the files on the cf card to the laptops hdd.
Hopefully you can boot from the CF card (or pcmcia for what the laptop sees) If not you'll have to find out how to boot a poormans from the hd using whatever OS is on your laptop. The syslinux that is on the USB might not work with a HDD, or you won't be able to boot any other OS... you'll have to get advice from someone who knows more about the various bootloaders.
Posted by libretto on Mar. 16 2005,20:26
Hi there, I have an IBM240 so had similar problems getting DSL onto it. In the end I removed the HDD, however first trials were for a 'network' install.Search the forum for the relevant posts.
Posted by AwPhuch on Mar. 17 2005,02:01
| Quote (libretto @ Mar. 16 2005,15:26) |
| Hi there, I have an IBM240 so had similar problems getting DSL onto it. In the end I removed the HDD, however first trials were for a 'network' install. Search the forum for the relevant posts. |
He doesnt have a floppy to boot, or a nic card (unless he can find a pcmcia nic)
Unfortunately I think the easiest method would be to remove the drive and use one of those IDE adapters..but thats only personal preference
Brian
AwPhuch
Posted by DeadPenguin on Mar. 28 2005,07:09
This is my first post here.I am in the same boat as the thread originator.
I am just going to do a network install via wireless when I get high speed.
I do have another computer I had a question about.
I have a tablet like pc running on pentium 1 16mb ram a 1gig hard drive.
I would love to get DSL on it, but it does not have a keyboard, mouse, floppy, or usb.
It does have pcmcia (2).
Bios will boot from pcmcia . ( Pheonix notebios 4.0)
It is currently running win 95.....
What size CF card would I need?
How would I setup to recognize handwriting?
There is a ps/2
port on the side I guess I could hook up a keyboard to it.How do I install DSL to CF card to boot?
Can I make it read only?
I don't want to hijack this thread.
I just did not want to start another when one so similar exested.
I have googled everything I could think of with no luck.
I couldn't find anything really similar.
The tablet is a former order pad made by Norand. No luck with that name on linux on laptops.
Any help is appreciated. I would love to get rid of win asap.
Regards,
Blair
Posted by Waterns on Mar. 29 2005,17:02
Ok. I believe I am speaking for many people when I say that in this situation there is no other option but to use the 2.5" to 3.5" converters. You could always do the frugal install but stop wasting time and invest in to a converter. You won't regret it. Another thing to consider is upgrades: Are you going to go through pain in the neck frugal install or will you simply pop out the HDD and pop it in the desktop?One of the best prices:
Frys
< 2.5" to 3.5" Converter= $6 +Shipping >