james wrote: > It has and Icore 5, 4 GB and 124GB SSD. If I can I like to nuke the > windows 7 home edition or shrink it way way down, in case I need access > on the windows side. It's really nice, sturdy metal case and very, very > thin. It has a 13.5 inch screen. Perhaps I need to discover all the > hardware particulars before I format of the windows 7 home edition ? > Perhaps I just need to leave the W-7 and shrink it up? > > It only has (2) usb ports and a mini usb port. > I have an Asus usb-to-ethernet, works under window. > I'm not so sure about the bios (EFI) American Megatrends > setting to get it to boot. > > So I was first looking for an easy image to put on a usb 3 drive > with a common linux to get the boot settings right, before I try to > get it to boot/install gentoo. I'd like a very minimize gentoo linux > with a minimized Desktop? Perhaps I should just install and run > a linux install design for these old laptops? Perhaps an older > SystemRescue usb images to test the boot settings? I can do an overthe > ethernet install if necessary, but would prefer a gentoo-usb install > at least for the basic minimize gentoo. > > Suggests, as my experience with usb linux installs is very weak. > A pathway, that is easy to follow, as I might just install several > old laptops, if this works > > So in the bios the aptio setup utility:: > > Boot Option #1 > Windows boot manager (po: Sandisk SSD u100 124GB > Disabled > > OR:: ADD new boot Option > ...Add boot option > (dialog box with 'add boot option) > > > ...SELECT File system > PCI(1F|2)\DevicePath(Type 3, SubType 12)Part1,sig787(long key sequence) > > > ...PATH for boot option > (just a dialog box for 'path for boot option) > > > ...CREATE > (please set boot option name and file path) > > > > > > > > In the bios it also has:: > > Save Changes & Exit > "Boot Override > > Windows boot mgr > > Launch EFI shell from file system device > > > Suggestions, and which instructions to follow (I found several in the > gentoo wiki not to mention other gentoo laptop install pages. > > Perhaps a bios update before beginning? No, a bad idea? > > Openboot or another open bios on this old but sturdy laptop? > > I could just use a live-gentoo rewritable usb 3 (thumb drive) on it and > forget the install? > > > All suggestions and references appreciated. > > >
I'm pretty clueless about laptops but have one idea. For something to boot from, either Knoppix or sysrescurecd should work. I think Knoppix is still available. One thing about booting one of those, especially sysrescuecd, you can find out what drivers are used to drive what components. I use the command lspci -k myself. It displays what is needed generally. Although sysrescuecd has CD in it, you can burn it to a USB stick as well. That's how I do mine here. Last one I got was under 600MBs. It should fit just fine even on a 1GB stick. http://www.system-rescue-cd.org/ It appears Knoppix is still around. http://www.knoppix.org/ Maybe someone else can come along with more ideas. Dale :-) :-)
