Live Chat & Podcast at 1:00PM Eastern on Sunday!
There's no such thing as a stupid question, but they're the easiest to answer.
JoinTour
Login
Search
Linux and Unix
Tag Cloud
access acer asus bios bsod computer crash desktop dns driver drivers error ethernet excel freeze gaming graphics hard drive hardware hdmi internet laptop malware memory monitor motherboard network printer problem ram registry repair router slow software sound trojan ubuntu 11.10 uninstall usb video virus vista wifi windows windows 7 windows 7 32 bit windows 7 64 bit windows xp wireless
Search
Search for:
Tech Support Guy Forums > Operating Systems > Linux and Unix >
Windows 98 - Need Help Installing Linux Instead

Reply  
Thread Tools
chuck2291's Avatar
Junior Member with 10 posts.
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
26-Jan-2008, 01:13 AM #1
Windows 98 - Need Help Installing Linux Instead
I have an old Sony Laptop. It came installed with windows 98. It was given to me and all i received was the computer and power cord...no disk, documentation, or anything. I need to mention also that there is no cd drive, just floppy. The problem is the nothing loads. I was wanting to install DSL(damn small Linux) on it. Is there anyway to do this by using a jump drive? Any suggestions would be great. I really just want to get it up and running again.

As of right now, i have a windows 98 boot disk(that i attained LEGALLY) Im not sure what to do to get this computer up and running again. If anyone could help again with this it would be great. Thankx guys already for your help.
blues_harp28's Avatar
Distinguished Member with 10,103 posts.
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: London England
26-Jan-2008, 10:04 AM #2
Hi will it start in Safe mode..tap F8 at startup.
If no..boot from the floppy.disk.
Type.
dir c: [note space] this will list all files present.
Then type.
sys a: c: [note spaces] this should copy files from the disk.
Remove disk restart see if that works.
If no..boot from floppy.
Type.
fdisk /mbr
This should repair Master boot record.
Remove disk..restart.
__________________
Superantispyware
Malwarebytes
chuck2291's Avatar
Junior Member with 10 posts.
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
26-Jan-2008, 03:25 PM #3
Thanks a lot, its going to windows now but its not loading the taskbar icons etc. I get an "illegal operation" from explorer in module EXPLORER.EXE. Anyway to fix that?

Last edited by chuck2291; 27-Jan-2008 at 01:56 AM..
blues_harp28's Avatar
Distinguished Member with 10,103 posts.
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: London England
26-Jan-2008, 05:17 PM #4
Hi it could be for many reasons check suggestions here.
http://www.colba.net/~hlebo49/errexplo.htm
chuck2291's Avatar
Junior Member with 10 posts.
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
27-Jan-2008, 01:56 AM #5
This looks to be the error im getting:

http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=191609


I tried their method to resolve it, but i keep getting invalid switch message.
blues_harp28's Avatar
Distinguished Member with 10,103 posts.
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: London England
27-Jan-2008, 08:41 AM #6
Hi without a Cd drive and an install Cd I don't know where you go from here.
Check System File Checker.
Start>run>type
sfc
Let it scan it will show what files may be missing.
But it will ask for the CD.
SDFOX 7's Avatar
Computer Specs
Account Disabled with 387 posts.
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Experience: Microsoft Windows NT 4.0
27-Jan-2008, 11:30 PM #7
I was also thinking DOS prompt scanreg.exe.

Boot, F5 to Command Prompt,

C:\scanreg.exe
chuck2291's Avatar
Junior Member with 10 posts.
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
28-Jan-2008, 12:38 AM #8
Quote:
Originally Posted by SDFOX 7 View Post
I was also thinking DOS prompt scanreg.exe.

Boot, F5 to Command Prompt,

C:\scanreg.exe


I just did that. Computer loads fine now. is there anyway to install a distro of linux now. i want to get away from windows on this computer. I have to do it without a cdrom though. Any thoughts

BTW...Thanks guys for the help. This is farther than ive got with this computer in a long time.

Last edited by chuck2291; 28-Jan-2008 at 01:20 AM..
blues_harp28's Avatar
Distinguished Member with 10,103 posts.
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: London England
28-Jan-2008, 05:23 AM #9
install without a Cd?
Check http://damnsmalllinux.org/
blues_harp28's Avatar
Distinguished Member with 10,103 posts.
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: London England
28-Jan-2008, 03:06 PM #10
Hi Google Running Linux without Cd rom.

http://www.lockergnome.com/linux/200...hout-a-cd-rom/
chuck2291's Avatar
Junior Member with 10 posts.
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
28-Jan-2008, 11:55 PM #11
Quote:
Originally Posted by blues_harp28 View Post
Hi Google Running Linux without Cd rom.

http://www.lockergnome.com/linux/200...hout-a-cd-rom/
Ive tried googling but i cant ever get the computer to boot from a usb drive. I read the article at the link you gave, if i was to do that would i be able to get rid of windows or would that be like a dual boot?
blues_harp28's Avatar
Distinguished Member with 10,103 posts.
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: London England
29-Jan-2008, 05:34 AM #12
Hi I haven't used Linux on Xp let alone 98.
You usually d/load Linux files to desktop and burn to a Cd and open a file to allow it to boot from the Cd.
Win98 dosen't show USB in the Bios so running Linux from a USB flash drive at startup dosen't work.
My suggestion would be to post your question in the Linux forum and Im sure the Linux experts will help you there.
__________________
Superantispyware
Malwarebytes
~Candy~'s Avatar
Former Administrator with 104,742 posts.
 
Join Date: Jan 2001
Experience: Advanced
29-Jan-2008, 12:10 PM #13
This can be moved. PLEASE let's not start yet another thread for the same problem.
blues_harp28's Avatar
Distinguished Member with 10,103 posts.
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: London England
29-Jan-2008, 12:20 PM #14
I apologize AcaCandy for such a suggestion.

chuck2291 click on the Red Triangle above you join date and ask one of the Moderators to move your post to the Linux Forum.
~Candy~'s Avatar
Former Administrator with 104,742 posts.
 
Join Date: Jan 2001
Experience: Advanced
29-Jan-2008, 12:34 PM #15
Moved and thread title changed to attract more attention.
Reply

THIS THREAD HAS EXPIRED.
Are you having the same problem? We have volunteers ready to answer your question, but first you'll have to join for free. Need help getting started? Check out our Welcome Guide.

Search Tech Support Guy

Find the solution to your
computer problem!




Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
WELCOME TO TECH SUPPORT GUY! Are you looking for the solution to your computer problem? Join our site today to ask your question -- for free! Our site is run completely by volunteers who want to help you solve your computer problems. See our Welcome Guide to get started.
Thread Tools



Facebook Facebook Twitter Twitter TechGuy.tv TechGuy.tv Mobile TSG Mobile
You Are Using:
Server ID
Advertisements do not imply our endorsement of that product or service.
All times are GMT -4. The time now is 09:44 PM.
Copyright © 1996 - 2011 TechGuy, Inc. All rights reserved.

Powered by Cermak Technologies, Inc.