Thomas Mueller wrote:
>
> I'm inclined to think it not worth the trouble on this old
> computer, with hardware becoming gradually less dependable,
> and no non-DOS OS wanting to install. Linux boots but can't
> read my CD-ROM;
This is unlikely. Linux is able to access 99% of CDrom
drives (as long as the kernel is configured appropriately).
In most cases it is just a matter of installing the correct
module (although it can be tricky choosing the correct
module for a non-IDE drive).
However, it is possible that you have a rare model of
CDrom drive. A model used by so few people that nobody
has bothered making a module for it. But don't give up.
As long as you have a DOS driver for the CDrom and an
old computer (no monitor or keyboard required), you
will be able to use it in Linux. Here is the scheme:
(1) borrow keyboard/monitor for old computer
(2) install CDrom in old computer (using DOS)
(3) link old computer to your main computer using
serial, parallel or ethernet.
(4) install appropriate packetdriver in old computer
(ethersl, plip or network card)
(5) configure both sides of network
(6) install SOSS (DOS NFS server) in old computer
(7) configure SOSS to serve the CDrom
(8) edit autoexec.bat in old computer so that it
automatically loads packetdriver and runs SOSS
(9) edit CMOS for no keyboard and no monitor
(10) remove keyboard and monitor.
Now, when you want CDrom access in Linux, just turn
on the old computer, insert a CDrom and it will
automatically serve it. Piece of cake.
This is not theoretical. I have the misfortune of
owning one of those rare CDrom drives that does not
work in Linux. After many weeks of trying every
module possible with every parameter, I discovered
a note in the kernel source code that mentioned
by CDrom drive by model number. Apparently my
CDrom drive was so rare that the author couldn't
find one to work on. Perhaps the whole run was
dumped in New Zealand at cheap prices (not such
a bargain after all).
So, for my first year with Linux (until I bought
an IDE CDrom drive), I used the SOSS method of
accessing my CDrom drive. It worked pretty well.
Cheers,
Steven
