[kwlug-disc] linux on old hardware

[Terrence Enger]

On Tue, 2010-02-16 at 14:31 -0500, john at netdirect.ca wrote:
> kwlug-disc-bounces at kwlug.org wrote on 02/16/2010 01:54:43 PM:
> 
> > 
> > I'm installing mandriva 2010 on an old computer (AMD 2000+, 256 megs of 
> > ram (maybe 512 if I can find another stick)) and not having any luck.
> > 
> > When I boot from DVD, it dies at varying points.  Sometimes right away, 
> > sometimes it reads for a bit then dies, sometimes I get the initial 
> > install screen then it dies with something like "isolinux: disk error 
> > 80, ax=4210"
> > 
> > I'm reasonably sure that the dvd is fine - I've used it for installing 
> > numerous systems.  I'm suspecting something in my old hardware.  Any 
> > ideas on where to start diagnosing?

Can the target system boot from a USB stick?  That would remove--well,
swap out--one DVD drive from the situation.

> 
> I'm not familiar with AMD 2000+, but I do know that distros have left 386 
> and 486 processors behind, maybe this is another casualty. The processor 
> sounds like it's Pentium III compatible though.
> 
> Another thing to try is a memory check. Don't use the BIOS use memtest86. 
> This is a boot option on Red Hat and Fedora dvds, perhaps it's there on 
> Mandriva. Once you get memtest running let it run for as long as you like. 
> We usually see memory problems within a minute, but running it longer can 
> locate some transient problems.

The USB stick which comes to hand--from ubuntu 9.10 32-bit
desktop--includes Memtest86.

Cheers,
Terry.

> 
> 
> John Van Ostrand
> Net Direct Inc.
>  
> CTO, co-CEO
> 564 Weber St. N. Unit 12
> map
>  
> Waterloo, ON N2L 5C6
>  
> john at netdirect.ca
> Ph: 866-883-1172
> ext.5102
> Linux Solutions / IBM Hardware
> Fx: 519-883-8533
>  
> 
> 
> 
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