PocketMatrix

Or a bit more specific: Using .

I'm trying to install this one on my Sony, but since I have no bootable CD or Floppy drive, I can forget about the 'normal' method... I *can* boot via network, and of course HDD, but that's about it.

I'm hoping somebody around here can help me out, or knows a guide that can help me. I don't want to replace the windows installation, just install linux on the 2nd partition.

Any help would be much appreciated, and for what it counts, you'll be given full credit in my article (planning on documenting the whole thing, if it works out as it should).

Thanks in advance!

Two options.

1. Take the HD out, put it in another machine, repartition and add a bootloader, move it back..

2. network boot a distro that supports it from a TFTP system (e.g. <a href="http://gentoo-wiki.com/HOWTO_Gentoo_Diskless_Install#DHCP_and_TFTP_setup">Gentoo</a>

Personally I'd go for the latter (that's how I install operating systems on my tablet anyway).

The installer should guide you through the process. Most distros allow you to setup custom partitions. Ubuntu64 coexists with Windows XP on my system with no problem. You'll also want to create a gig or two for a "swap" partition. The installer should allow you to do that as well.

eit-btw, doing a network boot is a bitch. I'd suggest getting a hold of a cd drive or floppy then you can do a net install.

Does it boot from USB? Put an installer image on a stick and just do a net install. If that distro doesn't support it, choose another one. Ubuntu, SuSE and Gentoo are nice.

Gentoo is not for people just starting out though. Hell, I haven't tried it yet. Compiling the whole damned OS, kernel and all the packages just doesn't appeal to me. I have yet to find a distro that supports my notebook properly anyway

http://home.allegiance.tv/~joem298/ <-- here's what I did to get things booted on my tablet (DHCP and TFTP). You'll have to do different stuff at the end to boot whatever it is you want to boot instead but that covers a DHCP and TFTP server setup.

Thanks a lot! I'll check that out as soon as I get home!

Too bad there is no easy way to just copy the contents of a Live CD onto your HDD or something like that...

There is, IIRC.

Damian, I had tried SuSE, but it also doesn't support everything. I've settled on the latest testing version of Ubuntu because it detects my wireless card out of the box so to speak. Mepis was actually the distro to let me use my wireless out of the box. I think I may try SuSE again.