Difficult Linux Install Question

queen · Post by **queen** » Thu Aug 28, 2003 9:38 pm

Hi,

I have two computers, 1 emachines PC with Windows XP PRO and the other, Dell Inspiron 8200 Notebook. I want to install RedHat 9 on the Inspiron. The problem is that I don't have a CDROM in the notebook because the drive fried last time I tried to install Linux to the notebook. Currently the notebook has no OS and the HDD is unpartitioned free space. Buying another CDROM isn't an option as I have no $ at the moment to purchase one. What (I think) I need to do is connect the emachines to the notebook with a crossover cable from NIC to NIC. Then use some kind of floppy network boot disk to connect to the emachines. From there I could share the CDROM drive in WinXP. The CDROM drive for the emac would have the Redhat 9 install CD in the drive. Problem is I don't know exactly how to do this. How would I make a NIC boot disk capable of reading WinXP from another machine when the notebook has no OS/isn't capable of having an OS until I either get the cash to buy another CDROM or find another method of installing Linux. So this is where I need your help. How do I install Linux with no CDROM drive and no OS in my notebook?

Stu · Post by **Stu** » Fri Aug 29, 2003 3:16 am

Assuming the laptop has a floppy and a network card, then you are all set. Make a bootdisk then install via HTTP or FTP over the internet. Read the following sections of the Red Hat 9 Manual:

http://www.redhat.com/docs/manuals/linu ... MAKE-DISKS
http://www.redhat.com/docs/manuals/linu ... l-ftp.html
http://www.redhat.com/docs/manuals/linu ... -http.html

You might also want to see how other folks got Linux installed on the same model laptop as you have--so, you can see what problems others have encountered and how to resolve them. So, head over here too:

http://www.linux-on-laptops.com/dell.html

queen · Post by **queen** » Fri Aug 29, 2003 2:41 pm

Thanks Stu, that's alot of good info. I will post back tonight if I can/can't get it working.

queen · Post by **queen** » Sat Aug 30, 2003 3:57 am

Assuming the laptop has a floppy and a network card, then you are all set. Make a bootdisk then install via HTTP or FTP over the internet.

1) My laptop does have a foppy and an integrated NIC.

2) Ok I made a foppy boot disk and selected FTP/HTTP install but before i can input a server I am asked for a device driver. What does this mean (it says the same thing for CDROM -- have none, NFS Image, etc.)? Do I need a seperate NIC driver?

Stu · Post by **Stu** » Sat Aug 30, 2003 12:47 pm

I'm not sure, it could mean your NIC--if it does, according to the 8200's specs, you should use the 3c59x device driver (it's a 3COM 905C Tornado card). As for the CD thing, I'm at a loss--I'm a Gentoo user myself. I would suggest posting to the newsgroup linux.redhat.install as they would be able to help you better than I could.

queen · Post by **queen** » Sat Aug 30, 2003 3:15 pm

I will give that a try.

cyberskye · Post by **cyberskye** » Sat Aug 30, 2003 4:02 pm

Sounds like the NIC isn't supported by default kernel...someone has probably built one that will work with your HW.

Skye

queen · Post by **queen** » Sun Aug 31, 2003 2:06 am

Sounds like the NIC isn't supported by default kernel...someone has probably built one that will work with your HW.

I think it's supported by the default kernel. When I previously installed redhat 9 on my notebook the NIC was auto detected.