Slackware via floppies

[rstebb]

I have searched this site and have seen several references to installing Slackware by floppy disks. However, I have looked at the Slackware site and I can't find where to download the files. I don't want Zipslack or Bigslack as I do not have DOS partitions. I want to do a noative Linux install but I can't do it from a CDROM. Does anyone know exactly where to download Slackware via floppies from?

Thanks.

[rstebb]

OK, I guess I found it. Now my question is how do I install Slackware with these 16 floppies? What is the command at the CLI to start the installation? The HD is wiped clean with one native 2 gig Linux partition and a Linux swap partition. I am going to boot the computer with CClinux to get to the CLI.

[Tabini]

Have you checked/ asked on the Forums at the Slackware site?
I myself plan to install ZipSlack 7.0 this weekend on an old 486, using 25 floppies.

I wish I could help you more....

[bdl]

Originally posted by rstebb:
OK, I guess I found it. Now my question is how do I install Slackware with these 16 floppies? What is the command at the CLI to start the installation? The HD is wiped clean with one native 2 gig Linux partition and a Linux swap partition. I am going to boot the computer with CClinux to get to the CLI.

You'll have to create a couple of slack boot disks from the selection they offer; there are 20 or so boot images depending on your hardware (try 'bare.i' first) and also create a root disk (there are three to choose from, try 'color.gz'). Once you've got your boot/root floppies, use them to boot up the linuxbox you wish to install slack on and just follow the instructions on the screen. There is an option in the setup menu to install from floppies, I'm sure, although Ive never had the need to do this. Luck, and if you need slack help, let me know, it's all I use.

[rstebb]

Ok, I downloaded the A series from Slackware. I made the bootdisk with bare.i and the rootdisk with color.gz. I booted ok with the bootdisk and inserted the rootdisk. Everything went good until the end. I get this message.

VFS: Mounted root (minix filesystem)
Freeing unused kernel memory: 60k freed.
init: error in loading shared libraries: libc.so.6: cannot open shared object file: No such file or directory.

Anyone know what is going on here?

System:
Laptop with 2 Gig hd
32 Meg memory
Harddrive is formatted for linux only. There is nothing on the harddrive.

Thanks.

[ph34r]

Have you tried a different floppy? They aren't the worlds most reliable stuff...

Also, if you have a pcmcia nic, why not do a network install instead?

[rstebb]

Yes, I've tried two different floppies. I'll probably try a third tomorrow. I have a pcmcia modem not a nic, so it would be too slow.

One other question. Why does it say:

'VFS: Mounted root (minix filesystem)

Minix? Does it just use this file system to get it installed and then go to ext2?

Thanks.

[cs25x]

minix is used on the floppy. ext2 on the hard drive. Sounds like a mixup do you have the right images? Long time since i booted slack but you should just plug in the boot, go, when it expands, plug in the root and hit enter. Oh you have a laptop maybe you need to enter paramaters at the boot prompt ??
there is a site for laptops and linux. do a search with topclick or www.alltheweb (http://www.alltheweb)

00

[rstebb]

Now I am completely lost and VERY frustrated. http://www.linuxnewbie.org/ubb/mad.gif

I couldn't work on the problem for a few days so I picked it up again today.

I downloaded fresh copies of bare.i and color.gz. I formatted some floppies in Windows and copied the files. Now the system won't boot at all. I get the "Invalid system disk" message. I reformatted the floppies with the ext2 filesystem with gfloppy. No luck. I formatted the files again on a windows box. No luck. http://www.linuxnewbie.org/ubb/frown.gif

What is going on here? I can boot the system with CClinux. Is there a way to install Slackware from floppies when booting with CClinux?

Any help with this very perplexing problem will be much appreciated.