Boot Up Windows 98 to Linux

[stevemabry]

I was given a Dell Dimension w/win98 and I need to boot up from the CD drive, when I try to get to Bios setup utility the PC continued to start up Windows 98 from hard drive. I try the F keys it will not work. Can you get to the setup utility thru MSDOS and change the order of boot devices?:confused:

[Dalo Harkin]

When the BIOS posts - it will tell you what button to press to get into the BIOS - its sometinmes del and you have to continually press whatever button it says not just press it once.

It sounds like someone has done what I always do and set the first device to HDD and then disable the 2nd,3rd options.

[Seth]

No, you can't get into the bios from DOS.

 

Also make sure that the keyboard you're using is standard PS2 keyboard (round connection), and not a USB one (small narrow rectangular connection).

[stevemabry]

Thanks for your reply, but how do you get around this problem?

[maynardvdm]

Hi

 

You need to set the Boot order to CD first and then Hard drive

 

Like Dalo said you need to press Del or one of the F keys when the computer first starts up to get into the BIOS. It should say on the first screen.

[Guest Wolfeymole]

Hi Steve

 

I'm assuming by the title of your original post that you are trying to boot to a Linux operating system that is on a partition on your hard drive.

 

Would this be correct?

[stevemabry]

Boot Up

 

Hi, everyone.

 

I have a old computer with win98 I would like to change the operarating sytem

to Linux. But I can not get to my setup screen, its like its been lock out. I try the DEL and F keys but it still goes to Window screen. The computer is in new condition it been in storage.

[Guest Wolfeymole]

It sounds like the motherboard battery has died, which is no big deal Steve as it's replaceable.

 

What error message do you get when trying to boot up?

 

I would also advise that you run the linux disk straight off the cd rather than try to install it as a stand alone operating system at this time.

 

What flavour of Linux is it by the way Steve?

[stevemabry]

boot Up

 

Wolfeymole,

 

I went through the steps that were recommended. What I had to do was to hold DEL key down before I powered up the computer, then I went to the Dell Dimension 4100 setup screen.

Across top of the screen came up:

MAIN, ADVANCED,SECURITY,BOOT,EXIT

 

Boot:

1st Boot device: (ATAPI CDROM)

2nd Boot device: Floppy

3rd Boot device: IDE-HDD

4th Boot device: Disabled

 

If I read this right would I be able to boot up from CDROM?

 

 

On the MAIN screen:

Processor type: Intel ® Pentium® III

Processor speed : 1 GHz

System Bus Frequency: 133Mhz

 

Is this system fast enough to run Linux?

 

To your question as to what flavor Linux: SUSE Linux 10.

[Guest Wolfeymole]

Installing Linux as a dual boot scenario is not like installing windows Steve, have a read of this to get the idea of just what's involved.

 

Dual Boot Windows and Linux Grub - Debian Linux with Windows 98 ME NT 2000 and XP

 

As I said earlier unless you are fully conversant with linux then it would be better to run it straight from the cd.

[Dalo Harkin]

Steve,

 

why are you wanting to run Linux in the first place?

dependant on your reasons for wanting Linux - I would upgrade to XP rather than Linux