Install without CD and network

alesiem · 2011-05-04 20:29:47

Hi, I have an old laptop without network and CD that cannot boor from USB etc.
I got Ubuntu installed via the previous windows2000 installation using an iso image and grub for windows.

Now I wanted to install archlinux on this machine and tried the following installation procedure:
1. Place the archlinux core iso file on the ubuntu disk
2. Add a loopback entry for the iso in the grub menu:
#
menuentry "install-archlinux" {
loopback loop (hd0,msdos6)/home/open/Downloads/archlinux-2010.05-core-i686.iso
linux (loop)/boot/vmlinuz26 iso-scan/filename=/home/open/Downloads/archlinux-2010.05-core-i686.iso noprompt noeject quiet splash
initrd (loop)/boot/archiso.img
}
#
3. reboot and select install-archlinux

Unfortunately it fails, I never get the command prompt.
Now I wonder if I use the correct kernel and ramdisk image?
Also, how do I start the installer once I reach the command prompt?

Thanks
Alexander

cybertorture · 2011-05-04 20:46:21

Hi, I have an old laptop without network and CD that cannot boor from USB etc.

Well i see problem here , what purpose will it make if u do not even have network

at least u can post what is grub prints

Inxsible · 2011-05-04 20:47:58

Does the old laptop have a floppy drive? If so, look into plop. I used it to install on a 10 year old laptop (yeah back them they came with a floppy drive) whose CD drive was shot.

alesiem · 2011-05-05 06:46:39

No floppy, but I got network working in Ubuntu now.
Still, are the kernal and initrd image that I specify in grub correct?
Or, how do I install from an iso image that I have on the harddisk?

Alexander

hokasch · 2011-05-05 10:09:21

Try kernel and ramdisk from Archboot and install over ftp:
http://mirrors.kernel.org/archlinux/iso … 0.12/boot/

E.g. for grub legacy

title  Archboot installer
root   (hd0,1)
kernel /vm64
initrd /initrd64.img rootdelay=10

Archboot keeps everything in RAM, so you can even wipe out the /boot partition it loaded from - obviously if something goes wrong in the process, you may have bricked the system (did this a couple of times and never had problems). More info about Archboot on the Wiki Page

Edit: Other possibilities, although I think above is the easiest:
Install from existing Linux
Fast install from existing Linux -> you could make use of the swap partition to extract the iso

Last edited by hokasch (2011-05-05 10:18:16)

cybertorture · 2011-05-05 11:58:43

Maybe i missunderstood

without network and CD that cannot boot from USB etc.

part ? O.o

linuxer0203 · 2011-05-05 14:42:20

(hd0,n)

alesiem · 2011-05-06 06:39:55

Thanks for the replies!

Thanks hoakasch, that was exactly what I was looking for. Now I got the arch installer running!
Just for the record, In Grub 2 Instead of the generic hd(X,Y), now you have hd(X,msdosY).

Alexander

Arch Linux

#1 2011-05-04 20:29:47

Install without CD and network

#2 2011-05-04 20:46:21

Re: Install without CD and network

#3 2011-05-04 20:47:58

Re: Install without CD and network

#4 2011-05-05 06:46:39

Re: Install without CD and network

#5 2011-05-05 10:09:21

Re: Install without CD and network

#6 2011-05-05 11:58:43

Re: Install without CD and network

#7 2011-05-05 14:42:20

Re: Install without CD and network

#8 2011-05-06 06:39:55

Re: Install without CD and network

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