Re: Problems installing Debian on old laptop

[Chris Lale <chrislale@untrammelled.co.uk>]

Piers Kittel wrote:

> Andrei & Adam,
>
> > > On Fri, 14 Apr 2006 19:25:45 -0500
> > > Adam Porter <adam@alphapapa.net> wrote:
> > >
> > > > Piers Kittel wrote:
> > > >
> > > > > When trying to boot Debian (using the 3.1 r0 netboot CD) to 
> > > > > install, it
> > > > > won't work at all:
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > I recommend trying the newer testing netboot installer CDs, rather 
> > > > than the
> > > > Sarge r0 one.  It might help.
> > >
> > >
> > > Or maybe Sarge r1
> > >
> > > Andrei
>
> Tried the Sarge r1a netinst CD, and the etch testing netinst CD - both 
> had the exact same problem, nothing happens after "Ready." but after 
> removing the hard drive from the laptop, it boots up fine though 
> obviously I can't install without a hard drive.
>
> Thanks very much for your help again in advance.
>
> Regards - Piers
I wonder whether it would be worth checking the CDROM device in Knoppix 
(/dev/???). I think that some laptops access the cd as though it were a 
floppy.

Perhaps you could boot from boot floppies and then continue with the CD 
or network? http://www.debian.org/releases/stable/i386/ch04s03.html.en

If you have USB you could try "Installing Debian Sarge from a USB memory 
stick (USB key)" at http://d-i.pascal.at/

Chris