CDrom dead; Floppy install of OS, Ubuntu?

cfp_guy · 06-08-2008, 11:06 PM

I have an older Toshiba with a new blank HDD. I have discovered that the CDrom is no longer working and cannot install an OS.

I have a working HP with XP and would like to boot into that using a CAT5 wire and LAN, then download an OS through the HP onto the Toshiba. I have been told that this is not possible.

I am not able to modify the BIOS to boot from a memory stick, so that is not an option.

I have a Netgear Wireless USB device, but need to download the drivers for it because I cannot use the CDrom to download.

It was suggested to me to install Ubuntu using a Floppy to install. But it appears that this is a network installation and I need a network connection?

Is this going to work?

Thanks in advance.

eggixyz · 06-08-2008, 11:24 PM

Hey There,

As long as Ubuntu's vmlinuz (or whatever the base kernel is) can fit on a floppy, you should be able to download that from their website and create a boot floppy. You'll probably need to download drivers for the network on a separate floppy to complete the install.

If the newer compressed kernel is too large to fit on a floppy disk, another option would be for you to download an older version of the OS and install that, and then upgrade once you have your basic setup working.

Hope that helps,

Mike

cfp_guy · 06-09-2008, 12:56 AM

Thanks Mike for info. The worst that can happen I guess is that it won't work. This is the link to the installlation/netboot info page:

https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Installation/Netboot

Can you or anyone else take a look and just tell me what you think?? It appears that it is one floppy disk and it goes right to the internet from there, not 2 like you described.

I think looking for an earlier version is an excellent idea and upgrading from there.

Thanks again.

pinniped · 06-09-2008, 12:59 AM

Many distros have an option to install files on the HD and install from HD. If you have a USB HD enclosure which can take the laptop HD, you may place the installer onto a small partition on that HD. Another option is to install a minimal system on the HD via the second computer, make some small alterations to the bootloader to ensure that it will boot in the old laptop, then boot into that minimal system and install all other bits.