Installing Network Bootloader onto HDD

[KobusDJ]

I have an Ubuntu LTSP server with old client PCs. Some clients have Etherboot installed on the HDD to boot up from the network........ the OLD ones with no ethernet boot option in the BIOS.

Since upgrading to 10.04 on the Server, the Etherboot does not boot up any more. (Seems to be a known bug)

One option is to get the GRUB bootloader onto those HDDs. (I understand GRUB has an Ethernet boot option - with the same drivers as the Etherboot/gPXE project). The problen is that the Ubuntu Live CD does not want to run on the old PCs.

What I'm looking for is a very small Linux boot CD with the GRUB installation files..... or any other ideas to get an ethernet bootloader onto the HDD of the old PCs?

 

[koffiejunkie]

Maybe this? http://www.supergrubdisk.org/

 

[KobusDJ]

Thanks. I tried it already. Seems like it is good for repair/rescue, but I am not able to do a fresh GRUB install.

 

[koffiejunkie]

Well if you're only looking to install grub, you can use any Linux CD that will boot on it. But to install grub you're going to need some disc space for /boot with the grub drivers and config file in.

 

[KobusDJ]

I ended up doing what I didn't want to do..... to make that OLD PCs to boot from gPXE CDs. I'm talking opening up CD drive bays with a paper clip. Had to swap out a few drives with "not so old" ones. Well, everything is up and running.

 

[koffiejunkie]

If these machines are thin clients, why aren't you booting the lot from PXE and lose all the drives? The necessity for a paperclip suggests that users won't lose the boot CDs too easily

 

[KobusDJ]

Yes, all thin clients. Most of them has the LAN option (PXE) in the BIOS (no problem with them), but a few odd ones I had to do it from a Floppy/CD/HDD.

The old Etherboot had an option to install to HDD. I prefer this option as it eliminates lost CD/Floppy . Unfortunately Etherboot does not work well with Ubuntu LTSP 10.04.

As I said, the CD image works well..... just not my preferred option.