Re: OpenBSD install from DOS/Windows without floppy/CDROM/boot me dia

["Lawrence W. Smith" <lws@juiceco.com>]

> I've failed to find any useful information about this by 
> searching mailing lists, or trying boot.com or bsdboot.com binaries
> from the web.
> 
> I am trying to install OpenBSD 3.1 on a Omnibook 800CT that 
> doesn't have a CDROM or floppy, but only a non-bootable CF PCMCIA card,
> and a Xircom network card that doesn't work under the current Windows 95 setup.

Which Xircom card I've used 3 different ones with an 800CT all were good.
Have you tried toggling the Pccard type in the BIOS ?
Or changing the PCI reset on boot function.

> I want to boot a GENERIC kernel, configure, and install the 
> rest from the network.

How hard have you tried to get a floppy drive?
It's the same drive / connector as used on many many IBM laptops.

> My next options are becoming increasingly painful, and include
> (a) find obscure screwdriver to remove hdd and try to 
> insert/setup hdd in another notebook;

It's a Torx TX06 quite widely available.
This is quite a good option and not too tough just remember you need to
_slide_ the drive out holding the plastic tabs, and don't forget to put the
drive back in with the tabs or you'll have a helluva a job the next time.

Oh and in case this is the next question contrary to HP advice you _can_
upgrade the drive I've used a 2Gb a 6Gb and now a 30Gb drive in an 800CT.

Just go into the BIOS each time reset to defaults save boot back into BIOS
and choose your preferred settings, this seems to help the BIOS cope with big
disks.

(OpenBSD copes far far better with BIG disks than anything else does, so
long as you aren't dual booting you won't have any issues at all) 

hth

L