3 replies to this topic

[garthhh]

I would like to boot from network, so I can do a fresh install [unbuntu 10.04] on a notebook that doesn't have a working CD DVD or the option to boot from usb.

Here's the tricky part
I want to boot without a router, using a un managed switch either in normal or crossover mode.

any suggestions?

[steve6375]

I would like to boot from network, so I can do a fresh install [unbuntu 10.04] on a notebook that doesn't have a working CD DVD or the option to boot from usb.

Here's the tricky part
I want to boot without a router, using a un managed switch either in normal or crossover mode.

any suggestions?

Do you mean you want to PXE boot. It should work if you have a DHCP server. It may be easier to remove the notebook hard disk and attach it to a USB to IDE/SATA interface (few $ on eBay) and then use another computer to put an image onto the 'USB' hard disk and then put it back in the notebook?

[Wonko the Sane]

Here's the tricky part

WHY tricky?

You don't normally need a router, BUT you need "something" that acts as DHCP server.

So, as long as you have on the network *anything* capable of providing a TCP/IP address to the Lan, it would be allright, though it is "strange" that a notebook has an option to boot from LAN and not one for booting from USB, out of curiosity, which model/brand is your notebook?

TFTP32, if you have another PC that runs Windows on the LAN, also provides a DHCP server but I am sure that there are DHCP servers for Linux as well.


Wonko

[garthhh]

Time to fill in some of the details

Gateway 7330 gz
1g ram
3.3ghz
new WD160g HDD
american mega trends bios [gateway specific, can't update, since I don't have a windows OS]
intel chipset

I'm running Unbuntu 8.04, I installed on my pentium III pc [running 9,10] with a HDD adapter booting from CD. I have done a bunch of different installs, using this method. I've upgraded from 8.04 using upgrade manager, I've done fresh installs [including 10.04 lts, went to black screen after unbuntu splash screen with progress bar underneath].

no sound on any of them, ran through a bunch of different troubleshooting, for this.

my ISP has the attitude that I should pay them for a static ip address, which slows me way down for using the standard boot from network procedures...

my boot options for this bios are
FDD [no idea how I would use it]
HDD
broad com network adapter

this notebook has:
4 USB ports
1 ethernet connector
1 phonejack
1 connector for monitor
1 wireless card [never worked]
1 bad CD DVD player
I haven't found an adapter that would allow the use of a regular full sized CD on the notebook's ide? bus, only USB which I can't boot from.

I tend to use bit torrent for downloading the different distros, because of the increased accuracy

I can cut & paste to terminal
but don't have a ton of experience [noob]

I have a 8g flash [cruzer]

I'll certainly give stuff a try, short of spending money [under employed]
thank for your help