> I just downloaded debian and purged my compaq laptop of windows, and > now I've just attempted to install debian 0.93 but the booting doesn't > complete. The boot disk loaded OK, and requested me to insert the > root disk. The root disk loaded, but then I got a "terminal error". > Behold a transcript: > > RAMDISK: Loading 1440 blocks into RAM > disk....................................................................................... > done > VFS: Mounted root (minix filesystem) > Error opening terminal: linux > > I tried making new root disks, on different physical floppies, but to > no avail. I'm quite sure that Linux is compatible with my system, as > I had a Slackware distribution install six months ago. > > Please help. > > Jonas August > Centre for Intelligent Machines, McGill University > 3480 University Street, Montreal, Quebec, Canada H3A 2A7 > Internet: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Tel: (514) 398-7158 Fax: (514) 398-7348 > > Hi, I had the same problem when I tried to install Debian in my notebook. There are a couple of things:
1. Well I had the problem that my Notebook only has 4MB and while it is enough to install Slackware (I am running Slackware 3.0), it isn't with debian. If that is your problem, desist. I am not familiar with the specs of your Compaq laptop. There is no way around it (IMHO) Maybe somebody else knows how and we can both profit from it... 2. The termcap file that came with debian didn't work. I changed it (mounted the root disk in my other Linux system and edited the file). I basicly took the slackware file and changed it a bit and erased the one provided by debian. I am not sure if I still have it though. If I find it I will forward it to you directly. The changes were basicly to get rid of most special definitions. I also had to rename the entries to match those expected by the debian install program. I managed to get it working but I am sure people will know better less cumbersome ways of going about it. I hope this helps. Luis.
