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landykos 05-10-2005 09:29 AM

No OS and No CDrom
 
I have a old gateway 2000 with no os or working cdrom. Is there a way to install linux on it via a floppy disk? I think this may be a stupid question but I cannot figure it out. THanks :)

pleasehelpme 05-10-2005 09:35 AM

You may look for LOAF project !



:rolleyes:

landykos 05-10-2005 09:45 AM

OK. I couldn't really find much on that. Could you tell me what the LOAF project is?

pleasehelpme 05-10-2005 10:02 AM

LOAF project is "Linux on a floppy"distro

do you have hard drive ?

loaf is to be installed without harddrive and cdrom


distrowatch.com should have an answer for you !

aes canis 05-10-2005 10:17 AM

You can go to distrowatch.com, or linux.org & look at the distributions search page there, but unless you knwo what you are looking for, it could be awkward.

Also, I take it you're fairly new to linux, or else you wouldn't be asking such as question - so a straight forward Linux-on-a-floppy, might be a bit too basic, that is, just a straight command line and nothing else...

1. What is your level of experience?
- So I don't insult you by saying things like "OK, turn it on..."
2. What do you want from the OS - Basic command line, X terminal, Full desktop/Windows manager, Coffee maker?
- this will help find the right distibution and add-ons for you.
3. What does you PC have? CPU, RAM, graphics adapter, modeom/network card, and so on.
- same as above.
4. What is you internet access like, for that PC?
- This will help with how much you can download/install at any one time. You might be able to boot from floppy and install straight from an ftp mirror - it beats copying 400+ floppy discs at work... ;)

pleasehelpme 05-10-2005 10:32 AM

PUPPY IS Floppy linux and it is very useable,gui,multimedia .......useful programs desktop distro.(usb puppy or floppy puppy)

or freebsd install from ftp !!

go to freebsd site and download a floppy boot

and boot from floppy and in the menu check ftp install .


hope this help ??

mjjzf 05-10-2005 01:34 PM

aes canis puts it very well - the level of expertise is rather important for this operation...
I recently made a net-install of Debian with floppies. It wasn't too difficult, but it isn't a beginners' experiment.

liquidtenmilion 05-10-2005 04:20 PM

do an ftp install of debian sid, this is assuming that your pc has a NIC.

piscikeeper 05-10-2005 05:27 PM

Re: No OS and No CDrom
 
Quote:

Originally posted by landykos
working cdrom
have you though about switching drives out temporarily?

landykos 05-10-2005 05:36 PM

Pentium (tm) family
processor sp 100 mhz
cache size 256k
base mem 640 k
extended mem 64512k
Hard drive WDC AC31000H 1 gig
Video mode EGA/VGA

There is no internet connection due to there is no ethernet port.
My level for linux is begginner but I have fedora core 3 on a newer model and have learned some of the basic command lines.

piscikeeper 05-10-2005 06:28 PM

to be honest,i would either:
#1 swap the cd-rom with the one in the newer machine until the installation is complete
#2 buy a spare rom drive for the install,and it's on hand "just in case" for the newer machine
#3 buy a network card.you can then bootstrap the system from floppies and do an ftp install.
#4 buy a null modem cable.this is used to link the new and old machines by parallel port.boot from floppies,configure PLIP,and use a file on the new machine for the ftp installation source.
(my choices would be 1-3)

landykos 05-10-2005 06:43 PM

OK yes this would work but there is nowhere in the BIOS to boot from CD!!

liquidtenmilion 05-10-2005 07:03 PM

http://linux.simple.be/tools/sbm

piscikeeper 05-10-2005 07:13 PM

thanks liquid.
that link also has link to a debian install guide.but if you notice,SMB is based on slackware...and there are plenty of guides to booting from floppy to install slack ;)
(had to give slack a plug....it's my favorite distro.)

landykos 05-10-2005 07:15 PM

Yes thank you!! I think i almost have it done! Everybody's help had been very helpful thank you. i will reply when i know for sure


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