How would one go about installing Linux on a Win98 laptop that doesn't have a USB option in Bios boot and doesn't boot up into Win98.
>>52351615
>laptop that doesn't have a USB option in Bios
What CPU does it have? If it's 286 you're out of luck.
>>52351615
i've done this before
DD the linux iso to the laptop's hard disk.
Then use a usb->ide adaptor to connect a hard disk that you actually want to install linux to on it.
Boot the dd hard disk, run the installer to install to the usb hard disk.
When done, swap the disks.
>>52351615
What do we call this meme?
Step one is asking yourself why you would even want to use such an old computer
Step two is installing a tftp/bootp server and netbooting a debian install
>>52351615
You need , at minimum:
>386
>IDE disk, 100MB or so.
I don't know of any reasonably up-to-date Linux distros that support 386. You might try Debian 2.2. I think that's what I read someone got working.
If you're rocking at least a 486 (or 686 or hell, even a Pentium) you can try the newest NetBSD/i386 7.0. 8 megs of RAM and you'll be running a full blown X11 desktop. Some older NetBSDs might work even on 386.
You have a couple of options for getting the system on the machine. If you have a CD drive, you can burn a disk. This is likely the fastest option. Failing that, you can purchase an IDE to USB adapter and install the system on another machine. This will likely be much faster.
Good luck and please post the results.
Can't you install Linux from within windows, then boot into the distro an expand the partition
>>52351615
>buy a cd
>go to library with laptop
>burn on cd live arch
>insert cd with loonix into laptop
>boot arch
>format that naughty laptop for loonix
>connect to internet
>mount your sweet ass fresh formatted drive
>pacstrap /mnt base base-devel
>if library internet is not shit you will be done in 15 minutes
>great job now you have loonix
if you can't get internet or you're retarded just dd any linux to the drive from any live linux, all you'll need is to get the proper iso on a stick and mount it
>>52352227
Arch requires i686, though. He must have at least that.
>>52351856
Nothing. Just stop.
>>52352377
okay
>>52352354
A distro that supports whatever he wants then. Disk is the way to go if he has a cd drive. Since the pc is old, it probably still has one
>>52351615
I did this once. I installed Debian on an ancient laptop with no bootable USB OR CDRom drive. They have a net boot option.
You have to set up a TFTP server I believe.
See here:
https://wiki.debian.org/PXEBootInstall
laptop was an ANCIENT fujitsu lifebook
>>52351899
whoops didn't see this.
sorry for my redundant: >>52352434
>>52351615
Use a floppy to bootstrap the USB
Puppy linux has options for that.
a, use a CD or DVD if that is available to you.
b, move hard disk over to a system you can install on, install it and move the hard disk back
c, do a networked install (if it has networking capabilities)
shouldn't this be in the stupid questions thread?
lubuntu live cd?
puppy linux? cd?
pxeboot install?
>no usb option
>>52351724
286 can't run Win98 or any other 32 bit system... (did some googling now, and there actually is a 16 bit version of windows 98 as well... Imagine that... A 286 with windows 98. I have never even heard of such a thing)
>>52352553
>lubuntu live cd?
Can lubuntu run on it? In that case it is a fantastic option.
OP here. Anyone got a place where I could stay for the night? I'm from California.
>>52351615
Try OpenBSD. It works great on older hardware. I have it and XFCE running on an old Pentium 4, and if I didn't know better, I'd swear it was a much more recent machine. I mean it's definitely not a workhorse, but for simple, everyday stuff like surfing the web, and word processing, it's more than sufficient.
>>52351724
286 stopped being made in the early 90s, and they were 16bit. What 286 machines were still around were legacy machines by 1998, and not new ones. There's no way a brand new Win 98 laptop came in this architecture, because Intel was still Intel back then, and would have been pushing their latest CPUs on OEMs. 486 was still somewhat common then, but were quickly losing market share to CPUs in the Pentium line--'98 was when the first Celerons were released, and Pentium II was released a year or so earlier I think.
>>52351856
Gabe
>>52353902
>how about I slap your shit
>>52351615
Have a similar task today.
Have to get a 1GB ram 32-bit netbook usable with no USB boot.
Will use external DVD drive which even though runs through USB has so far been recognized and worked with old systems.
>>52354412
I need to get me one of those bad boys
>>52351615
What other interfaces does it have? The best way is how they used to do it when that technology was current--install from a floppy disk.
What distro are you using? Are you using one as old as 98 is, or are you trying to install a modern ultra-lightweight distro on it?
>>52351856
Galloping Gabe.
>>52355986
I like that
Upvoted :^)
>>52351615
Burn Linux iso to cd and boot that? Why has no one else said this???
>>52351856
Gaping Macfag
>all the /v/ millennials ITT
I got 98 onto my old subnotebook by pulling the drive out and putting it into another system with an optical drive, had to mess with drivers a little but it worked.
>>52356312
I would assume that if he's looking at USB booting the system doesn't have an optical drive.
But judging by this thread he probably really is that underage.
>>52354412
that gloriously small debian file
>>52351615
ANNEXED
>>52356751
I have made bootstrapping CD's fit USB media years ago, so I know it can be done. But that may be moot if no optical drive. If that's the case, this poor fellow is borked.
>>52353953
>messy
>my fetish
Go for it buddy boy ;^)
