Install with no internet connection

Midnight · 2010-03-04 21:41:00

I'm using a laptop that has no way to connect to the internet besides wireless. So as far as I'm concerned, I can't install a full Arch system.
Am I missing something, and is there an image to download that has the full system on it? Or are all the images just netinst?

Unorthodox · 2010-03-04 21:44:46

I thought thats what the Core verses FTP images were for, they are at least 200mb different in size, am I wrong?

Runiq · 2010-03-04 21:49:32

First of all, welcome on here.

You can install just fine, provided you manage to set up your wireless during (or before) installation. All Arch install media are live images, after all, with lots of drivers already included/loaded. Most of my installs were from a wireless network (except the first one, cable was simpler to set up so I did it that way), so during subsequent installs I just mounted a USB thumbdrive with the config files on it and connected to the net using them.

A solution might be to try out Arch in some kind of virtualization environment and setup the network there first, to get accostumed to the basics, and then jump into the cold water and try it with actual hardware. The lspci command should give you some hints on your network controller, which tells you what driver to use.

Edit: I recommend reading the Beginner's Guide and (as mentioned) the Wireless Setup wiki page, these should give you a pretty good start.

Last edited by Runiq (2010-03-04 21:53:22)

knopwob · 2010-03-04 21:51:48

When your wifi-card works with the kernel used on the installation disk, you could use netcfg [wiki]Network_Profiles[/wiki]

just copy the right example file from /etc/network.d/exampes to /etc/network.d/ change it, until it fits to your wlan and then "netcfg-menu" and select the profile you just created. (It's all in the wiki page)

This way, you have working wlan during your installation. Maybe there's a simpler way, but this one worked well for me. ;-)

Last edited by knopwob (2010-03-04 21:53:36)

Peasantoid · 2010-03-05 00:15:52

Use the core image.

Midnight · 2010-03-10 06:13:15

Peasantoid wrote:

Use the core image.

Thanks so much, man! You helped out a whole lot more than anyone else could!

But yeah, thanks to everyone else. I'm assuming that the terminal-based wifi commands work at the pre-install terminal?

tomk · 2010-03-10 07:36:09

Yes they do. You can use either core or ftp install media - both include as many wifi drivers as possible. Have a look a t the beginners' guide in the wiki, and also the wireless setup page.

arxx · 2010-03-11 20:04:14

hmm its funny tho because when i installed arch on my laptop i went with the core install with no internet. and it turned out that my wireless card wasnt even supported with the core drivers that were available. and i ended up having to get a wired connection to install my wireless driver through AUR

ironic no?

tomk · 2010-03-12 00:19:50

/me doesn't see any irony there...

"as many wifi drivers as possible" means exactly what it says. If the driver is in the AUR, it's obviously not going to be included on Arch's install media.

.:B:. · 2010-03-12 00:53:15

Unorthodox wrote:

I thought thats what the Core verses FTP images were for, they are at least 200mb different in size, am I wrong?

You are. Arch is heavily dependent on a network connection. Then again I'm cuing in pretty late I guess...

Every seen a GUI on a Core ISO? I haven't .

@ arxx: every single wireless driver that's supported on the installation media is a luxury, not an evidence. There used to be a time when people made do with a wired connection...

Peasantoid · 2010-03-12 02:53:43

Midnight wrote:

Peasantoid wrote:
Use the core image.
Thanks so much, man! You helped out a whole lot more than anyone else could!

Do I sense sarcasm?

Arch Linux

#1 2010-03-04 21:41:00

Install with no internet connection

#2 2010-03-04 21:44:46

Re: Install with no internet connection

#3 2010-03-04 21:49:32

Re: Install with no internet connection

#4 2010-03-04 21:51:48

Re: Install with no internet connection

#5 2010-03-05 00:15:52

Re: Install with no internet connection

#6 2010-03-10 06:13:15

Re: Install with no internet connection

#7 2010-03-10 07:36:09

Re: Install with no internet connection

#8 2010-03-11 20:04:14

Re: Install with no internet connection

#9 2010-03-12 00:19:50

Re: Install with no internet connection

#10 2010-03-12 00:53:15

Re: Install with no internet connection

#11 2010-03-12 02:53:43

Re: Install with no internet connection

Board footer