installing linux without a cd drive and limited bios

steven_191 · Nearly there... Joined: 31 May 2009 Karma :

trying to install ubuntu on a toughbook CF-18. the bios is so old that theres no option to boot from a USB.

the boot options are

cd
floppy
HDD
LAN

seeing as it has no cd or floppy drive im wondering if these could be to do with the PCMCIA?? slots? not that i have anything to use in those slots.

just wondering what else i can try?

im going to try the option to 'try ubuntu on windows' as that can run from the USB. but not sure if that will allow me to install as it will still need to boot.

Will i have to plug the HDD into another PC and try to install it from there?

herulach · World Chat Champion Joined: 19 Apr 2010 Karma :

a quick google suggest pulling the disk out.
https://toughbook.wikispaces.com/m34+linux

How many partitions do you have? IIRC WUBI will let you install to a different partition. Resizing them might be interesting though.

Is there not a bios update - even PXE would be nice and also pretty standard.
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Frost · World Chat Champion Joined: 26 May 2004 Karma :

If you just need to use ubuntu for something you can install it on windows:
https://www.ubuntu.com/download/ubuntu/windows-installer

https://www.ubuntugeek.com/install-ubuntukubuntuedubuntuxubuntu-without-cdrom-drive.html

You'll still need to partition your disk though.

J.M. · World Chat Champion Joined: 27 Mar 2011 Karma :

nop · Scooby Slapper Joined: 12 Sep 2011 Karma :

Am I missing something here?

Burn your favorite 'nix to CD and boot from it.

P.addy · Red Rocket Joined: 14 Feb 2008 Karma :

CaNsA · Super Spammer Joined: 02 Jan 2008 Karma :

Hold on sunshine,

prepare the usb drive for booting.

plug into laptop

boot laptop, select "choose boot menu" or the equivalent, goto hdd and see if it has a "+" next to it.
the usb drive maybe listed.

if so = win

if not = ballache

stinkwheel · Bovine Proctologist Joined: 12 Jul 2004 Karma :

There is an application on puppy linux that will format a flash drive to appear as both a flash-drive, a USB CD ROM and a USB FDD to your bios.

So you start off the application then point it at the appropriate .iso file when asked for it.

Should then boot as if it was a floppy disc or optical drive.
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steven_191 · Nearly there... Joined: 31 May 2009 Karma :

ive decided ive got to go with plugging the HDD into another computer as an external drive and installing it from there.

the bios doesnt support USB bootable options and there arent any updates.

Ive not installed a OS onto a drive via another computer before. Im just wondering when is go to install it might want to install onto my computer, not onto the external drive.

Any suggestions on that? I havent attempted this yet so apologies if theres a big obvious box on the very first page that says 'select your drive here!!!!'. I do seem to remember you have to pick the area you want to partition though?

Seb · World Chat Champion Joined: 19 Jul 2007 Karma :

A CF-18 will boot from a USB CD Drive, it just doesn't support thumb sticks.

If you can borrow a mains powered CD drive use that, otherwise you'll need to ensure you use a double header usb cable otherwise even the new slim type drives won't get enough power to spin.
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