1

I'm trying to salvage a Compaq Evo N600c by reinstalling Edubuntu over the previous version, this time using the LTSP server package. I believe it had the normal version 7.40 from around 2006 or so. The normal startup won't work because it won't recognize the 'kenel' or start through recovery mode. Not knowing any Linux commands right now, I'm simply trying to reinstall the OS through prompts. Not that I'm afraid to use commands, I just don't want to enter the wrong one and end up with an even bigger mess. I ran a memory test with Memtest, on the system and it was fine. I also tested the disk I burnt on the system itself, it was fine. The OS disk was burnt to a .iso file. I used CDBurnerXP on Windows 7. I burnt it to a DVD-R disk formatted through the program.

I first started the disk in developer mode to kinda load everything on the disk. Once I got to the first screen, I restarted the system. This time, I ran the normal install, then began trying to install the new OS (edubuntu-14.04.5-dvd-i386.iso). I selected to overwrite the previous version (7.40 I think), and install the new OS from the disk.

Everything seems to be fine, except I got an error that I clicked 'ignore' to. It was about not enough memory for the OS or something like that. But when I first ran the install, there was a green checkmark next to the line for required amount of space. So, is it talking about the RAM memory or something else? Because I just clicked 'ignore' and it continued the install. I got past the keyboard page, and it's been installing overnight.

I guess my question is: Is the install going to finish or did it stop midway because of an error? It says "The installation will finish soon. We hope you enjoy Edubuntu." I got past the keyboard page, and it's been installing overnight. The cursor keeps spinning too, but I can't hear the disk loading in the drive anymore.

Basically, I'm trying to install the server package on this so I can use this old laptop, stripped, as a mule for making my own internet connection. I selected all the packages, except the pre-k. I managed to get that one before giving up. The double mouse design messed up somehow, and the cursor keeps wanting to go off in some direction. I think water got spilled on it at some point. The sensitivity is also high, so that doesn't help either.

Anyway, I have about 5 older laptops in total. I'm trying to connect them through USB or Ethernet cable to one central laptop 'console'. I'll use that one to manage all the others, creating a multi-system server type of thing. I just had these old laptops around and didn't know what to do with them until I started getting $100 a month internet bills for 16 Mbp/s DL... I might even disable and remove the screens for heat reduction, then connect them all through their back VGA ports onto one screen. The battery on this laptop hasn't been used in a while. It doesn't keep a charge anymore, so I'm running the system of A/C power only. The bar at the top shows it at 25% and charging.

Something I was also considering was wiping the drive with Darik's Boot and Nuke, then reinstalling everything. But that would include the BIOS, all drivers, on top of the new OS, and I'm not really experienced in all that. I know it's trying to install 8 GB, but if it doesn't load before Saturday, I'm going to have to do the backup plan. The mouse keeps moving, but I'm not sure if it's even loading right now.

Thanks for reading, and any advice is appreciated!

15
  • 2
    "But that would include the BIOS, all drivers, on top of the new OS" - Incorrect. Wiping the disk does not also wipe the BIOS. (If it did, your motherboard would be bricked!) And also, Linux doesn't need external drives. They are all built in. So, I recommended that you download Lubuntu and choose "Erase disk and install Lubuntu" in the installer. May 11, 2017 at 12:46
  • @Android Dev I was able to dig up an old trackball mouse for the cursor and it seems to work better, though it still pulls up slightly for some reason. I downloaded 'lubuntu-17.04-alternate-i386.iso' and burned it to a new disk, again as a .iso. Thanks for recommending Lubuntu by the way, I didn't even know it existed. One error I got was that it was unable to read the time clock after selecting install, but it continued fine. I didn't see a prompt for "Erase disk and install Lubuntu", but that could be later on in the OS? (1/2) May 11, 2017 at 14:44
  • @Android Dev It stayed on a blue and white screen after the first scans it did. Since it stopped here for a while, I just decided to turn it off and run the nuke anyway. If erasing the drive will keep most everything I need, I don't see why not. I'd like to start a new OS fresh. So I'll wait for this to finish, then try testing the disk and install Lubuntu new. (2/2) May 11, 2017 at 14:45
  • Okay, I wish you luck, be sure to report back whatever happens :) May 11, 2017 at 15:30
  • @Android Dev "DBAN finished with non-fatal errors" For some reason, it thinks the day is April 17, 2036. That's where I think the time clock error is from. But it didn't save the logs because I don't have a USB stick drive. I'm going to test and run the installation .ios for Lubuntu through the system now, and wait for it to finish. This OS is less than 700 MB, so it should be a lot faster. I found out while it was wiping, that this has a 30 GB hard drive. Oh, I'll keep updating. I I'm still not sure how to configure all the computers to one when I get them all working. Ethernet I hope. May 11, 2017 at 17:07

0

You must log in to answer this question.

Browse other questions tagged .