Aloha!

Its a while ago that I installed (and worked with) Slackware.
However, it wasn't a problem as far as the PC support "boot from CD".

But now I have a real old Compaq PC and the only way to install Slackware is to use the floppy installation method.

Actually it works fine with the bare.i boot disk and the 2 root images but I wonder if there isn't a faster method to get access to the CD.

I read about the sbootmgr but it doesn't work with this machine (blank screen).

Doesn't there exist any other "one-disk-solution"?

Regards,
Orangutanklaus

The smallest you are going to get with the Slackware install floppies is 3, unfortunately.

Are you sure the Smart BootManager disk was written correctly, and done with a fresh floppy? Does it work in other computers?

With Slackware 12 we have USB and PXE booting, but obviously USB is not an option for you in this case, and PXE would depend on the network card you are using.

1) yes 2) No, it doesn't

I' wrote the file more than once but I got the same results every time = blank screen
I used the file from my SW11 DVD and also a image from the internet and different write tools. The floppy can't be damaged because the installation disks work fine.
I've only one floppy-disk and rewrite the necessary file always to the same one

Both are no options for me.

Thanks for your reply.
Orangutanklaus

Hi,
I have a collection of old machinery myself. As some do not even have USB, CDROM or network card the solution is to take out the hard disk and put it into another well equipped computer do the installation there and put it back. Then do a fair amount of configuration.
I have not yet got around to Slackware 12. The big problem I see is that if the new kernels dont go on a floppy then it will not be possible to make a boot disk either during installation and I have relied heavily on boot disks until I get the installation going.

John

Hi,

If the sbootmgr disk that you created doesn't work in other computers then what makes you think it should work in this one? If you use the same disk over and over then don't you think that possibly a media error can exist?

Not necessarily so with the the install disks statement. You would need to do a compare of the disk to the original to make a valid statement.

What write tools? Rawrite or dd?

Floppy media can't be that sparse.

The loop device or HD media install would be another means.

Nowadays its easier to find money on the streets than someone who lends you a floppy-disk.

The fact that the disk works wich each other files (regardless if Linux or Windows) is a good reason for me to rate a disk accurate.

I can't remember the tools I've used but I will start a test again and document the results.

Regards,
Orangutanklaus

Hi,

Test the diskette after write. The tools are there to do that.

You could also reference 'Slackware-Links' formerly 'Slackware LQ Suggestions Links!' for some good online reference. Look at the dd command reference within the list.