[Solved! Huzzah!] LiveCD - first boot, confusion ensues

________ · n00b Joined: 21 Oct 2006 Posts: 12

In booting the Minimal LiveCD I am, after letting it run some checks or whatever, met with the following:

Welcome to Gentoo Linux Minimal Installation CD!

The root password on this system has been auto-scrambled for security.

If any ethernet adapters were detected at boot, they should be auto-configured
if DHCP is available on your network. Type "net-setup eth0" to specify eth0 IP
address settings by hand.

Check /etc/kernels/kernel-config-* for kernel configuration(s).
The latest version of the Handbook is always available from the Gentoo web
site by typing "links http://www.gentoo.org/doc/en/handbook/handbook.xml."

To start an ssh server on this system, type "/etc/init.d/sshd start". If you
need to log in remotely as root, type "passwd root" to reset root's password
to a known value.

Please report any bugs you find to https://bugs.gentoo.org. Be sure to include
detailed information about how to reproduce the bug you are reporting.
Thank you for using Gentoo Linux!

livecd root #

The documentation (Gentoo 2006.1 x86 Handbook) states the following on the subject:

Now place the LiveCD in the CD-ROM drive and reboot. You should see a boot prompt. At this screen, you can hit Enter to begin the boot process with the default boot options, or boot the LiveCD with custom boot options by specifying a kernel followed by boot options then hit Enter.

Now, I cannot recall ever seeing any boot prompt, unless that is what "livecd root #" is, and have also tried pressing the Enter key, the computer just reiterates livecd root #.

So what do I actually do from here? What do I type in response to this livecd root # query?

Dlareh · Advocate Joined: 06 Aug 2005 Posts: 2102

livecd root # is a root prompt -- the system has already booted

restart your computer and pay close attention. there will be a boot prompt. if you do nothing it will time out and boot with the default options.
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"Mr Thomas Edison has been up on the two previous nights discovering 'a bug' in his phonograph." --Pall Mall Gazette (1889)
Are we THERE yet?

yabbadabbadont · Posted: Mon Nov 06, 2006 2:39 am Post subject:

You must have blinked and missed the boot prompt.

You're right where you should be with the minimal cd. Continue following the installation manual from here.
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________ · n00b Joined: 21 Oct 2006 Posts: 12

Then it has booted. The problem remains, though. I have run all the non-optional commands listed there, and now have to choose either a gtk+ or a dialog installer. In accordance with the manual, I have typed "Networkless", a command that does not work. So. How do I select an installer?

yabbadabbadont · Posted: Mon Nov 06, 2006 3:33 am Post subject:

You can't do a "networkless" install using any of the minimal cd's. You have to have the full blown live cd for that. Sorry.
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________ · n00b Joined: 21 Oct 2006 Posts: 12

Ah. This, then, means that the computer needs to be connected to the internet?

yabbadabbadont · Posted: Mon Nov 06, 2006 3:52 am Post subject:

To install using a minimal cd, yes.
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________ · n00b Joined: 21 Oct 2006 Posts: 12

The CD also seems to have disabled the ability to eject a CD out of the CD-ROM. Can this be repaired, or do I simply have to scrap the computer?

yabbadabbadont · Posted: Mon Nov 06, 2006 6:48 am Post subject:

You can't eject the cd while it is in use. (It's not called a "live" cd for nothing.

) Type "reboot" and hit enter. When the computer cycles off and back on, eject the cd before the computer tries to boot from it.
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________ · n00b Joined: 21 Oct 2006 Posts: 12

Thank you ever so much. For a moment there I thought the PC was wasted...
Well, I suppose the PC in question is simply too old for a networkless Gentoo installation.
A shame, really. I was really looking forward to casting off the chains of Microsoft.

Hmmm.... Xubuntu, perhaps?

I any event, I reiterate my thanks. I sat scratching my head (not literally) for days before I decided to seek help, and you people have proven the validity of such an approach. My old Travelmate 721TX would be lost without you. [/flattery]

Thanks a lot.

yabbadabbadont · Posted: Mon Nov 06, 2006 7:47 am Post subject:

The first time I encountered a locked cd tray when using linux, I believe that objects were sent flying about the room before I figured it out... :lol:

Xubuntu is a decent starter system for lightweight hardware. You might want to make sure to check the minimum system requirements though, especially the memory. I don't remember offhand what they were. Also, you might want to stick with the 6.06 version as it has long term support (LTS) for security updates. Further, I frequent the Ubuntu forums too and there seem to be serious issues with the 6.10 version of Xubuntu. Although more people were having success when doing a clean install, so it might not be a problem for you. Good luck on whatever you decide.
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