Close Topic Options

[Kiroshino]

Just picked up an old Toshiba Portege 3110CT

Processor: Pentium II
RAM: 192kb
HD: Unknown

There was Slapware installed on it, but I deleted LILO and can't access it anymore. There's also a Windows partition, but the previous owner deleted system files so that it just gives a BSOD when trying to load.

Tried to install Ubuntu Netbook 10.10, but I get the "Unable to find medium with live File System" error when I try to load the disc, suggesting, from my research, that it doesn't like the old CD drive.

Tried XP, but all that gives me is the BSOD after loading.

Tried VectorLinux, but it can't seem to locate the CD drive after starting it from the CD.

Tried all of the above again using an USB external CD drive, but it wouldn't acknowledge it at all.

Tried taking the hard drive out, but the casing is very stubborn.

So, it appears that I can't use a CD or USB to install a new OS. I haven't tried a network install yet 'cause I can't get it connected to my home network (will try tomorrow at work). Otherwise, does anyone have any suggestions for me?

This post has been edited by Kiroshino on Mar 8 2011, 05:17 AM

[Lebon14]

Download "Ultimate BootCD" and either choose the CD version (ISO) or disquette maker and boot on it. Format the hard drive clean and retry Windowx XP install.

Once WinXP gave me BSODs simply because the NTSC partition wasn't up to "his standards".

...on that machine better run Windows 2000... imo.

[Kiroshino]

2000 would definitely be better. I'd prefer to run something lighter, though, 'cause I can't use it for anything resource intensive anyway.

I'll take a look at Ultimate BootCD.

[Lebon14]

It's not intended to watch anything intensive (HD videos), or big games (far from it) and I would suggest that you would put Windows 98 on it if everything else fail. I bet you can find a CD on the net...

As far as I know, Firefox still run on it (v3.6 that is). If not, try to dig up a v2. Install office 97. And you are good to go. Beware though of viruses that can erase your hard drive even though you are still running your OS...

[Kiroshino]

Wiping the hard drive didn't do anything: I still get the BSoD with XP.

Trying SlackWare atm, though I have my doubts. After doing some Googling, it seems that most OS's don't know how to handle PCMCIA or the port replicator.

Edit:

Finally got it to work.

Ubuntu 10.10 Netbook
LUbuntu 10.10
Vector Linux 6.0 Light
Slackware 13.1
XUbuntu 10.10 Alternate
Wary 500/Puppy Linux
Windows XP
Windows 98
Gentoo
PCLinux
Damn Small Linux

Tried them all, but only XUbuntu has worked so far. It's a bit more resource intensive than I'd like, but it's a start.

This post has been edited by Kiroshino on Mar 13 2011, 06:16 PM