IBM 240 Laptop DSL install
Forum: HD Install
Topic: IBM 240 Laptop DSL install
started by: TheClap
Posted by TheClap on Aug. 09 2005,19:57
I bought an old IBM 240 w/ a 3 gig hdd in it. It is the smallest laptop that IBM ever made, so I figured that the smallest linux ever might be fitting. I can install it no problem, but I can't install it w/ the hdd in the 240. The hdd has to be taken out and put into another IBM computer b/c I don't have any of the original drives that went w/ the pc. It has no floppy or cd, it's that tiny. I have been able to install DSL and have it work on the 240 by installing it through an IBM R40. The problem is that when the pc boots up in the 240 it goes into 1024 resolution, and the highest res supported by the 240 is 800X600. This creates a problem, looks good, but I can't see everything. I have tried the xsetup.sh and it does give me the option to change the res. When the resolution is changed the colors on the screen are all psychadelic and crazy no matter what color setting the machine is one. So wrong res and good color, or right res and horrible color..............?
not a very good option. maybe a driver problem, but I have no way to tell b/c this verion of linux is seemingly different from the others I've had. HELPTheClap......
Posted by cbagger01 on Aug. 09 2005,22:43
Try editing your bootloader config file and make sure that your "vga="statement reads like this:
vga=788
and then save and reactivate your bootloader.
Then run xsetup again and choose "xfbdev" as your x server and you should be in business.
Posted by TheClap on Aug. 11 2005,12:28
That works. I'm up and running now. I tried it a few ways to make sure. If one boots the live cd in 800X600 Xfbdev, DSL will actually install itself to the Hdd in that mode. That's a lot easier b/c it's kind of hard to see when you're changing it in 'trippin on shrooms mode.'Thanx
l8r
Posted by ke4nt1 on Aug. 13 2005,05:49
I have three IBM 240's.. Each has 192MB ram.They work great with DSL.
Everything works out-of-the-box,
when you know how to run it.
Using vga=788 in grub, or selecting fb800x600 at boottime,
and choosing the xfbdev video server in xsetup works great.
I use the frugal install on all of mine,
with persistant home and opt dirs ..
I much prefer this to the HDInstall for this laptop.
Two of mine are celeron 300's, one is a celeron 400.
Using toram at boottime makes these laptops real performers,
and the persistancy keeps everything intact without
creating a large backup to deal with.
My backups contain files like /etc/apt/sources.list,
and only a few from /home and /opt for "just-in-case" issues.
( like the xserverrc, set for my USBmouse and such )
"Give frugal a chance"
73
ke4nt
Posted by Texican on Aug. 13 2005,16:56
| Quote (ke4nt1 @ Aug. 13 2005,01:49) |
| "Give frugal a chance" |
I've tried both frugal install options (grub and lilo). Both give me errors at bootup. The only errors I get with the HD install is when I try to install myDSL extensions. It tells me that I'm not a dsl user or some such thing (even after logging in).
BTW, this is my upteenth distro that I've tried on my laptop (gatway solo 2500, PII celeron 333Mhz, 96MB ram, 4 GB hd). So far, it's the fastest non-KDE distro I've installed. Damnsmalllinux is also a damnnicelinux.
Posted by ke4nt1 on Aug. 13 2005,18:14
My first thoughts would be..1. Are you installing the HDInstall as a multiuser mode,
and naming yourself something other than "dsl" ?
2. myDSL extensions are for LiveCD/Frugal/Pendrive use.
It is recommended to use apt-get for package management on a HDInstall,
...especially if you are in multiuser debian mode.
( extensions are built to run as user dsl, and should be installed as user dsl )
3. What are the exact errors you see in a frugal install?
I have them running on about a dozen boxes or so, and I feel
like most errors can be easily overcome with a few boot options.
Let us know.
FRUGAL TORAM ROCKS !
73
ke4nt