[Ma-linux] Laptop boot problem -- Debian

[craig]

See these instructions on the averatec, I am not familiar with them.
*http://www.linux-on-laptops.com/averatec.html*
Even the instructions for different distributions and different models 
might be useful so don't be too picky about only looking at exact 
matches for model number and debian.

I would also try a knoppix disk and see if that works any better and 
bypassing the step that is blocking your progress.
 From your description of PC card services I would suspect *pcmcia*, but 
who knows.

I would try with either debian or knoppix to disable the stuff that is 
perhaps poorly supported on an older laptop like acpi.
*http://www.faqs.org/docs/Linux-HOWTO/BootPrompt-HOWTO.html
http://www.knoppix.net/wiki/Cheat_Codes*

And/Or try some different boot parameters when the debian cd boots like
pci=noacpi

On knoppix this would be something like    knoppix no pcmcia
no pcmcia   <---
no apic
no apm

I wish I had time to hunt down some better more specific examples, but I 
don't sorry.

Craig

Alan McConnell wrote:
> A friend from NYC is down here, with a rather ancient laptop,
> an "Averatec", if that means anything to anyone.  He asserts that
> it runs Windoze real good.
>
> We've freed up disk space and we want to put Debian on it.  We
> boot off of the first disk, answer the questions about English,
> American, etc(so the machine is certainly able to read the CD
> and boot the kernel), and then the machine starts to investigate
> the hardware.
>
> And it hangs at "Entering PC card services".  The red bar just
> doesn't complete, even after a minute or so.
>
> I don't know what "PC card services" means.  I hope that one
> or more member of the Assembled Wisdom can help.  In particular,
> I hope that some appropriate "boot parameters" can get the 
> install past this stage.
>
> My friend goes back to NYC tomorrow evening.  So, if I get cogent
> answers we can try again tomorrow morning.
>
> Any and all help very much appreciated!
>
> Alan
>
>