andy wrote:
Hi all
A few weeks' back I asked for some ideas re: installing Debian on a
laptop with a dodgy CD-R/W. I was wondering if I could do so using a
USB memory stick and if anyone has tried this. My primary concern is
in whether or not the BIOS will recognise the USB stick at boot, and
how I might encourage it to do so, or - alternatively - get to the
boot stage and then do the rest with a memory stick. If this involves
using floppies to get into a boot routine, which of the files are
best for loading onto floppies for this purpose?
It depends on the laptop, my GF has a Sony VAIO TR somthingorother
which won't boot any USB device except a Sony USB floppy, apparently
it's a BIOS restriction, (complete bar stewards) don't know if it'll
net boot either as I've never tried, but that may be your best option.
Assuming you have access to computer with a working burner and CD Rom,
download the DSL CD ISO, burn it, boot it, use it to create a bootable
USB thumb drive and try it.
http://damnsmalllinux.org/
If it works you can use DSL to install Debian.