Re: boot disk dilemma

[ktb <ktb@nixnotes.org>]

On Wed, Jun 20, 2001 at 08:03:33PM +0200, MaD dUCK wrote:
> so i finally managed to boot off the floppy disks and am now in the
> debian installation menu, just short of installing the operating
> system. i have a local debian mirror, so i'd like to install via
> network (ftp) -- especially because i don't have the cds. i am using
> the "compact" kernel.
> 
> i am dealing with three machines, and they all have different network
> cards. one is a ne2000, one a 3c59x, the next a tulip chip. i would
> like to install the network drivers, but they aren't on any of the
> disks.
> 
> my headaches are with the driver-1.bin disk, which resides in the
> compact directory -- how do i use it? it looks like a 512byte offset
> gzipped disk image, but the debian installation program can't load it
> - it waits for like 5 minutes before reporting that it "cannot mount
> the floppy. stop."
> 
> what's the native method to configure the network cards during a
> floppy install?

It sounds like your doing the right thing.  Choose "floppy" install and
you should be prompted at some point for the diver disks.  Then once
the driver disks are loaded you will be asked to choose the modules you
want to install.  Both cards your using should be supported at least
with the 4 driver disks.  That's the way I usually go.  

I suspect you already know what I have just written but just wanted to
make sure.  

As to your problem.  Use another floppy and a different
image and create driver-1.bin again.  Also clean or replace your floppy
drive.  I know it worked with the rescue disk and boot disk but I have
had at least one instance where the floppy worked fine until time to
load the modules.  
hth,
kent

-- 
 From seeing and seeing the seeing has become so exhausted
     First line of "The Panther" - R. M. Rilke