[install] Need to make an installation hard drive

reflets de vert · 2011-01-02 02:40:07

Hello!

I have a computer without ability to boot on CD, or on USB media.
It doesn't have any system installed.

I tried to use Unetbootin to make an installation hard disk. But the menus give the choice between an USB-type installation, and a hard-drive type one, but with only a path, "/" (! dangerous !)
I tried to copy files on the hard disk with Unetbootin in the USB mode.
It works, but it can't boot!

I searched for other solutions, and found dd.

I can copy an .ISO of the archlinux CD with dd on the hard disk.
But I must copy a Master Boot Record first.
Can any MBR boot? Can I copy the MBR of some another computer, and then have an installation hard-disk, usable with any computer?

I prefer to ask you… with this kind of commands.

Inxsible · 2011-01-02 05:11:41

does the computer have a floppy drive ?

If so, use plop. Its an amazing piece of software which allows you to boot from usb and then you can use any regular usb booting mechanism. I did this recently on an old laptop whose cd drive was completely shot and the BIOS didn't support usb booting.

MadTux · 2011-01-02 15:14:55

Do you have a spare machine that may be used as a dhcp and ftp server? If yes, you could try installing Arch from the network through pxe.

https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/PXE

reflets de vert · 2011-01-03 14:22:42

Hello!

I must install archlinux on two computers.

One has a floppy drive, and USB ports. The other, the worst, has no USB port, no floppy drive (even though it can be added, there is no USB…)…

I can install archlinux with plop on the first (thank you for the info!!)
On the worst, I can try to install Slitaz… or test XPE… but I doesn't have tools for it, or ideas…

That's why I thought about dd, and bootable install hard drive, for the worst computer without things.

If I use dd

dd if=/dev/sdx of=/home/user/MBR.image bs=446 count=1

then, to put MBR on the future installation hard disk:

dd if=/home/user/MBR.image of=/dev/sdx bs=446 count=1

And then, if I copy the iso of the archliux live CD with dd on the same hard disk…
Can it work?

Sorry if it is a "question idiote" (how we say in french)

Arch Linux

#1 2011-01-02 02:40:07

[install] Need to make an installation hard drive

#2 2011-01-02 05:11:41

Re: [install] Need to make an installation hard drive

#3 2011-01-02 15:14:55

Re: [install] Need to make an installation hard drive

#4 2011-01-03 14:22:42

Re: [install] Need to make an installation hard drive

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