How do I do this?

Forum: HD Install
Topic: How do I do this?
started by: drthmik

Posted by drthmik on May 12 2004,22:15

I'm new to Linux and I have an older Laptop that I want to put DSL on
It is currently running Win98
the CDROM isn't bootable
I created a floppy boot disk but it can't find the cdrom when I boot from it
Should I format the HD first?
I've looked through the other posts and they don't really have what I need
Basically some step by step instructions would be nice
thanks

Posted by cbagger01 on May 12 2004,22:31

Copy the \KNOPPIX directory on your CDROM over to the C:\KNOPPIX directory in Windows98.

Then boot with your floppy and it will find the files on your hard disk and act like it was a CDROM drive.

Posted by drthmik on May 13 2004,01:19

That didn't work

any other suggestions?

Posted by cbagger01 on May 13 2004,02:53

Describe how it failed in more detail. Maybe the failure is caused by something else.

Posted by drthmik on May 13 2004,04:49

It always says the same thing no matter what I do
Boot Failed: Please change disks and press a key to continue

Posted by jojo on May 13 2004,09:44

could it be a problem with syslinux (does DSL use it?) not working with older hardware.
Simular case (and possible workaround) described at ...
< http://mark.arricc.net/34796.html >
...a guy installing Debian Woody on an old laptop.
Hope it helps.

Posted by cbagger01 on May 13 2004,16:29

I've seen this problem before with a Knoppix 3.3 boot floppy and an older Pentium-3 computer.

I was able to get around the problem by booting from CDROM (don't ask me why I was trying to boot with a floppy).

The easy way out of this problem is to install DSL version 0.5.3 instead of the newer version.

However, my guess is that another way to get around the problem is to create a boot disk with an older verison of syslinux installed.

You can get a boot disk image with an older version of syslinux by creating a knoppix 3.2 boot floppy,
or by creating a DSL version 0.3.x , 0.4.x or 0.5.x boot floppy.

Once the boot floppy is created, copy the following files from your DSL 0.6.x boot floppy over to the boot floppy mentioned above:

miniroot.gz
vmlinuz
syslinux.cfg
f2
boot.msg
logo.16

Good Luck

Posted by drthmik on May 13 2004,17:36

Thanks I'll try that

Posted by drthmik on May 14 2004,21:23

Thanks a LOT for all the help!

I saw that DSL.7 was out and I tried that
And It Worked!
thanks again!