Problem booting from CD-ROM an old PC

BlackRabbit · 08-06-2007, 07:41 AM

Specs:
Pentium 133
16M RAM
2GB HD

Situation:
I want to install SlackWare 12.0 from CD-rom. The Cd is bootable, as proven by the other 5 freshly installed servers.
However, when the system (upon boottime) start searching for boot records on the CD, he fails and returns te following message:

Quote:

1. FD *** system-type (00)

*** = jibberish: 'ù[some DOS-smiley][some DOS-left arrow]'

(then, he continues to boot from HD).

The weird thing is: a long while ago I already installed a Slackware distribution on this computer (Slack 10.2 I think). Checked with that CD but recieved the same message. I figure it must be something in the BIOS.. I changed CD-drives (to be sure I also tried with an old 4x), but no result. To be sure I attached it to IDE2 as a master with a different cable, no result..

Dit a search on the message, could get much useful information..

Anybody got some ideas?

pixellany · 08-06-2007, 08:17 AM

When you say the CD is bootable, I assume you mean that the Slackware CD will boot on other computers.
Can you boot the P-133 with any CD? If your get the same error message with any bootable CD, then the drive is defective--or maybe just needs cleaning.

Will it read a regular data CD?

BlackRabbit · 08-06-2007, 08:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pixellany

When you say the CD is bootable, I assume you mean that the Slackware CD will boot on other computers.
Can you boot the P-133 with any CD? If your get the same error message with any bootable CD, then the drive is defective--or maybe just needs cleaning.

Will it read a regular data CD?

Ow, thought I explained it as well:
- CD boots in other computers
- tried several CD-drives & IDE cables, always same outcome
- the install-CD can be read once booted (from HD) into linux
- the P-133 doesn't seem to be able to boot from any CD anymore, but I'm really convinced he was could

pixellany · 08-06-2007, 03:52 PM

It seems the key is your statement that you tried several CD Drives.....What other changes have you made? Or is it possible that that machine never could boot a CD?

Do the BIOS settings show an option to boot from CD?

BlackRabbit · 08-10-2007, 07:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pixellany

It seems the key is your statement that you tried several CD Drives.....What other changes have you made? Or is it possible that that machine never could boot a CD?

Do the BIOS settings show an option to boot from CD?

Well, as 10.1 was already installed on it and I can't remember using floppy's for it, I'm pretty sure it was able to boot from CD-ROM. Also, the BIOS does mention 'Boot from CDROM'.

I think it might be the CD anyway, because I have the same kind of problem with a newer P3 450Mhz.. It doesn't seem to find the 'boot-sector' on the CD. Tried burning a second CD, but same result.

Strange, because an older P1 233Mhz wás able to find it and boot from it.

In total I installed 10 systems, ranging from the oldest P1 133 to recent AMD systems. Two systems give problems, but I can't really think of a reason..

BlackRabbit · 08-10-2007, 02:50 PM

It seems that the problem is caused by de actual Image

=> http://www.linuxquestions.org/questi...ckware+12+boot
=> http://www.linuxquestions.org/questi...d.php?t=533995

Will have a look on the 'smart boot manager'-program.. I guess I should be able to burn that to a CD, boot from it, then insert the Slack CD & boot from the SlackCD that way?

BlackRabbit · 08-15-2007, 08:01 AM

SBM works like a charm: I can boot from the Slack CD when botting SBM from another CD or Floppy.

However, it seems the P1 133 box is too slow/under equiped for the job anyways, as it hangs during boot from CD (after selecting the 'huge.s' kernel.

Why didn't they provide a smaller kernel?

How can I get around this problem?