debian boot floppy install

[Maketty]

okay, thanks to the kind people on this board i got the files i need to do the install, i copied each of the following onto a seperate disk (using rawwrite):

driver-1.bin
driver-2.bin
driver-3.bin
driver-4.bin
rescue.bin
root.bin

i am assuming i place the root floppy in my a:\ drive and restart my computer?

[undef]

that's not enough to do floppy installation. you'll also have to download all the base files . you'll find them under the same directory you downloaded the above files.
you'll first insert your rescue disk first, then it'll ask you to insert the root disk then the drivers and so on.

[Maketty]

so do i copy those base files onto seperate floppys as well? i am going to run out of floppys :(

[Maketty]

dagda told me i could use the driver files, and the rescue and root, to do an ftp install. i would go through those disks and then debian would get any other files needed by ftp! :confused: i am confused...

[FoBoT]

Originally posted by undef:
<STRONG>that's not enough to do floppy installation. you'll also have to download all the base files .</STRONG>

actually it depends on what nic you have and if you have access to a LAN

if your nic is supported by the drivers disks, you can do ftp with just those 6 disks
it might also work with a modem, but i have never tried that

you can do the base install with the other 11 disks, but an ftp install is possible with just the 6

try it! :)

[bdl]

Originally posted by Maketty:
<STRONG>dagda told me i could use the driver files, and the rescue and root, to do an ftp install. i would go through those disks and then debian would get any other files needed by ftp! :confused: i am confused...</STRONG>


The rescue/root and the 4 driver floppies are all you need to do an NFS network install. Once you get the install started, it will ask you if you need to preload mods from diskette, in which case you stick in one of them floppies and load the mod for your particular NIC, then setup the NIC for the network-based install. At least that's the theory.
This link (http://www.debian.org/releases/stable/i386/ch-install-methods.en.html#s-install-nfs) gives some info on the NFS install. Please note that it says this is the only method for installing without the base system.

If you want to do an FTP/HTTP install, you do have to have the base available either on NFS or floppies, which is about 11 extra floppies just for the base system. You can find all the necessary files here (http://ftp.us.debian.org/debian/dists/stable/main/disks-i386/current/images-1.44/). Luck! ;)

[Maketty]

:eek: this floppy install is getting out of hand! 11 floppys for just the base files, well how can i do an install without floppys? because i am sure that i don't have that many floppys laying around! thanks for the help so far it has been nothing but helpfully helpful tips that help!

[FoBoT]

http://www.debian.org/releases/stable/i386/ch-install-methods.en.html#s-installation-sources

Note that you will only be prompted for a source for the kernel images and drivers in some installation methods. If you boot off a CD-ROM, it will automatically pick those items off the CD. The important point is that as soon as you boot off a diskette, you can immediately switch to some superior installation source.
um, what does that mean?
anyway, unless i don't remember right, i have done ftp install as the table says "Base System = Y"

The `LAN' and `PPP' rows refer to Internet-based file transfer (FTP, HTTP, and the like) over Ethernet or phone lines.
so, just try it and see what happens! :)

[undef]

i thought you were doing floppy installation that's why you have to have those base files.
if you're doing ftp installation then rescue,root and the drivers images are good enough to get you started.

[CP]

I did an FTP install, you only need those 6 disks. Put the resuce on in, I think. Then reboot. It will start the install process the rest is pretty self explanatory.