[syslinux] Multi boot device choice : linux - dos

[Gene Cumm]

On Thu, Nov 25, 2010 at 03:25, MONDON Daniel
<Daniel.MONDON at lpgtechnologies.com> wrote:
> De : syslinux-bounces at zytor.com [mailto:syslinux-bounces at zytor.com] De la part de Gene Cumm
> Envoyé : mercredi 24 novembre 2010 22:58
> À : For discussion of Syslinux and tftp-hpa
> Objet : Re: [syslinux] Multi boot device choice : linux - dos
>
> On Tue, Nov 23, 2010 at 05:16, MONDON Daniel
> <Daniel.MONDON at lpgtechnologies.com> wrote:
>> Hi,
>>
>> I have a machine with live CD application: syslinux boot
>>
>> I have to update the BIOS: I need a keyboard and an USB key (win 98
>> boot) with only 1 usb port :(
>
> 1 port?  That's very unfortunate.
>
>> But my usb key is not visible for boot choice behind usb hub: I need an
>> usb keyboard to enter and configure bios...
>> (The boot is on an inside USB key - hdd)
>
> Are you saying that you have an ISO that you're loading with Memdisk
> from a UFD (USB Flash Drive) that has Syslinux installed onto it?
> The UFD not being visible from behind a USB hub is a BIOS issue.
> _________________________________________________________________
> *Yes I have an iso that is loaded with syslinux.
> On an internal USB port. (I have only USB : no IDE or scsi ... device)
> _________________________________________________________________
>> I think the solution is to (install and) configure the internal boot to
>> choice to boot on my external dos usb key (with autoexec.bat for bios
>> update).
>>
>> How can I do that?
>
> Create a small partition with a FAT or EXT filesystem, install
> Syslinux to it, copy chain.c32 into it,. create a simple config file
> to chainload the UFD.  More than likely, you won't see the UFD in
> order to chainload to it.  You can also check out PLoP and try
> automatically loading PLoP.
> _________________________________________________________________
> *On my internal usb disk, i have a fat32 partition (500M).
> As I don't need the hub (with DOS boot and autoexec.bat running flash program), the usb media plugged on the output usb port will be seen and boot is possible on it.
>
> _________________________________________________________________
> http://syslinux.zytor.com/wiki/index.php/Hardware_Compatibility#USB_related_problems
>
> Am I correct in assuming that you can't just put the BIOS update
> either onto a CD or onto a floppy image on a CD (or even on a real
> floppy) and load it from the CD rather than attempting a UFD?
> _________________________________________________________________
> *Correct. I can use an USB cd reader, but I need keyboard ... or I have to do exactly the same things as an USB key.
> Except if the usb cd reader is seen behind a hub!

If a USB CD drive is seen behind the hub and fully bootable, this
might be your best bet.  Another idea is temporarily swap out the
internal USB key for the one you want to attach externally.

> _________________________________________________________________
> --
> -Gene
> _________________________________________________________________
> *Then, I will do the config file needed to chain(.c32) to the external usb key.
>
> Thanks a million!

Since they are both USB keys, I'm even more doubtful than I was a few
hours ago that it'll work this way.

I'm assuming this machine does not have any PS/2 ports (or other ports
dedicated for keyboard/mouse).  What's the brand/model as this is an
unusual situation?

-- 
-Gene