Thin client OS suggestions

debitcardmayhem

Good hols tx just booked the next one Mrs dcm will be mumble mumble in Oct :eek: , have you tried a ps2-->Usb adaptor ?? probly not work tho I bought 1 and my old ps2 k/b wasn't recognised using one of those

debitcardmayhem

Another idea , try for busybox alternatives (some HPs use that )

epninety

Just spotted this thread... I guess you are using a USB CDROM as well as a USB keyboard?

If so, try swapping the usb plugs around (ie plug the KB in where the CDROM is now, and vice versa). Linux installs can be sensitive to the order the devices are enumerated. On at least one of the systems around here I had to swap the USB plugs around.

Just for fun, I have a debian 6 install running atm on a HP T5300 with a grafted on HDD. It's been trying to install the full system for 3 days now, I don't think it's going to work

It did run a console only Debian 5 perfectly happily, and usefully until recently, when I replaced it with a Wyse box running Tinycore.

It happily runs the business card installer disk of Debian 6, but I couldn't boot the full size net install version. Not sure why but you could try the Deb 6 just to see if it gets further?

spud17

DCM, I've seen those adapters, but all seem to have poor reviews , i.e. generally don't work. Play.com have some cheapies I may try, but hoping to scrounge a couple of keyboards over the weekend, just to try.

Downloaded systemrescuecd, burnt .iso

HP T5000 booted up and could navigate menu with usb kb, selected 'default' it ran through to the root prompt, then couldn't type a thing, keyboard was dead. Tried again and selected GUI, it all loaded up, mouse worked, but no keyboard.

Currently trying epninetys' suggestion, no luck so far, one more usb port to try.

Wow a t5300, and I thought mine (T5000 and T5520) were low powered.

spud17

epninety wrote: »

.

Just for fun, I have a debian 6 install running atm on a HP T5300 with a grafted on HDD. It's been trying to install the full system for 3 days now, I don't think it's going to work

But it's better than the telly.

I thought my 3+ hrs for XP was a long time, mind you, mine has been 'pimped' with 512MB ram (PC2700, but should really be PC2100).:D

Just to update, 4th and final usb port gives same no response from keyboard,once OS has loaded, despite being able to select from initial menus.

debitcardmayhem

spud17 wrote: »

DCM, I've seen those snipped.......

Hehe nurse just got my meds in me I will try again later , maybe when you are here on the next evening or weekend ,did you try matchbox ....til next weekend/evening

epninety

spud17 wrote: »

But it's better than the telly.

You are SO right

Shame it didn't work, but worth a try. I pulled the plug on the Deb6 and tried the Silax install CD, but it locks up at a timestamp of around 2.5sec regardless of which kernel I select, so no go there.

Tinycore hasn't failed me yet, it's installed easily on all the thin clients I've tried, even the Wyse 9150 which can be fiddly and the Futro A250s, which usually refuse to beleive in the CF card if you boot from USB.

UNetBootin isn't 100% reliable though - I found I couldn't always boot ISOs from it, though I could if I used a CD burnt from the same ISO. Though sometimes, it's the other way... it was very helpful at getting Freenas onto a Wyse box.

spud17

DCM, I had a look at Busybox (Matchbox?), but I think all that cli stuff is beyond me.
Think that's it until the weekend, will try to squeeze it between work, some work on the house and trying to watch the Grand Prix.

UNetBootin isn't 100% reliable though - I found I couldn't always boot ISOs from it, though I could if I used a CD burnt from the same ISO. Though sometimes, it's the other way... it was very helpful at getting Freenas onto a Wyse box.

Agreed, some .iso will only work from cd.

re. Freenas, the t5520 gives an error message about the mobo temperature reporting, usually it reports it at, IIRC, -247°C, and halts the install. There is a workaround script.
The t5000 runs Freenas like a dream, embedded on its 256MB flash, and draws 6 watts, or 8 watts when working hard.

epninety

I've got 4 Freenas boxes running now... 2 for work, one for testing/training/experimenting, and one shiny new one for personal use....

8Tb in a ZFS cluster and I'm too scared to fiddle with it anymore

spud17

I couldn't resist having a little play after a workmate brought in a usb keyboard for me to borrow.

All now works as intended.

Hats off to (disappeared) asbokid, who did suggest trying another keyboard.

I really didn't believe that there was much difference between alleged universal keyboards.

The Microsoft Digital Media keyboard 1.0A has sorted everything, installed Xubuntu 10.10 in around an hour, all works fine, just about acceptable speed for a low spec machine.

Installed Salix-fluxbox, the basic/low graphics option, took around 30 mins, 2 mins for first boot, but looks really promising once up and running.


It now looks like I'm going to have to buy another keyboard, but which one?