Hi,
some weeks ago, I had the same problem, and started a discusssion on this problem. I wrote some patches and instructions on how to install woody via network(tftp) on 1386. I installed several machines using this method now. The patches submitted are not in bootfloppies yet, because they aren't verified by some external testers. I'll send you a short instruction on how to install woody. > I've a problem trying to install a Debian Woody on an industrial PC > via the network ; > Here is the description : > > * I've an industrial PC (pentium III), without floppy, CDROM, and a > blank hard drive. I want to install a Debian system, and as the Woody > is released :-)), i've looked the installation manual, and carefully > read the network install paragraphs ! > > * This PC has two network interfaces, Intel PRO 100B, with a bios > capable of BOOTP & DHCP, via the 3com Lanworks' bios, called MBA > (v4.31). This should be no problem. I'm using 3c905c-txm cards, also equipped with 3com-Lanworks MBA. > * I've set up a DHCP server, and downloaded the tftpboot.img > (http://http.us.debian.org/debian/dists/woody/main/disks-i386/curre > nt/idepci/tftpboot.img), as described in the manual > (http://www.fr.debian.org/releases/stable/i386/ch-appendix.fr.html# > s-file-descs). The tftpimages on the debian mirrors contain only the kernel. There is no root-image appended, so there is no chance to install a system with these images. You have to create some for your own. > > * at the first tries, the MBA network boot loader refuse to load any > of the different flavors > of the tftpboot.img, telling me they are too big for the 640Ko > available :-(( [The PC has 256Mo] ; After some researches (notably > in > http://bugs.debian.org/cgi-bin/bugreport.cgi?bug=140579&repeatmerged=yes), > I've found a program on the Linux Terminal Server Project, called > imggen, to let the LanWorks MBA bios load correctly a boot image, > and then the load of tftpboot.img works (at least for compact and > idepci flavors) yes, this program is needed, to extend the raw tftpimages for 3com MBA. > And now my questions (!!) : > > - does anyone have an idea why the tftpboot.img fails to work ? I'd > like to learn > how this image is built, and perhaps how to modify it to work on my > PC. > > - As seen in the bug #140579 report, it seems there is a lack of > testers of LAN boot > for the x86 platform, perhaps I can help to test in my case ? yep. thats the point, why it's not in bootfloppies yet, i think. here now the short instructions: - download the linux.bin and the according root.bin from images-1.44 - install the debian-package "mknbi" - run "mknbi-linux --output=<tftpimage.raw> kernel.bin root.bin - run "imggen" from LTSP: "imggen -a tftpimage.raw tftpimage.3com - let dhcp serv the image "tftpboot.3com" - have fun installng woody via network . Regards, Michael
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