Making the best out of the worst? - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

MikeSty · 12-17-2007, 12:20 AM

I've got this old Toshiba Satellite Media Center laptop. Big blue hunk of crap. Original problem was that the power supply adapter broke. We opened it up and soldered the AC connector to it direct and it worked for a bit. I went to reformat, but apparently wiping the hard drive is a bad idea - you can't reformat these Toshiba laptops straight from CD.

Long story short, the hard drive is trashed too. The only option I appear to have left is "Network Boot" -- is there anything I can do with that?

It'd be a shame to see a laptop with a nice TV tuner and huge-ass screen go to waste. I could use some suggestions.

And I don't think I have a floppy drive.

connyosis · 12-17-2007, 06:41 AM

You might try something like KnoppMyth or
Mythbuntu on it. I think they can bu run from the CD.

MikeSty · 12-17-2007, 10:28 AM

I should have been more clear - nothing can run from the CD whatsoever.

connyosis · 12-18-2007, 12:31 AM

Ouch. Maybe http://www.pendrivelinux.com/ could be something then? (If you can boot from USB that is)

MikeSty · 12-18-2007, 10:26 AM

The laptop is a few years old and I think it lacks USB bootability. I tried a few of those things just for the heck of it to no avail.
I hate wasted hardware

Cynthetiq · 12-18-2007, 10:37 AM

when your door keeps closing, put the laptop in front of the door. Instant use!!!!

MikeSty · 12-18-2007, 01:10 PM

It's certainly heavy enough

12-17-2007, 12:20 AM	#1 (permalink)
MikeSty The Computer Kid :D Location: 127.0.0.1	Making the best out of the worst? I've got this old Toshiba Satellite Media Center laptop. Big blue hunk of crap. Original problem was that the power supply adapter broke. We opened it up and soldered the AC connector to it direct and it worked for a bit. I went to reformat, but apparently wiping the hard drive is a bad idea - you can't reformat these Toshiba laptops straight from CD. Long story short, the hard drive is trashed too. The only option I appear to have left is "Network Boot" -- is there anything I can do with that? It'd be a shame to see a laptop with a nice TV tuner and huge-ass screen go to waste. I could use some suggestions. And I don't think I have a floppy drive.

12-17-2007, 06:41 AM	#2 (permalink)
connyosis Psycho Location: Sweden - Land of the sodomite damned	You might try something like KnoppMyth or Mythbuntu on it. I think they can bu run from the CD. __________________ If atheism is a religion, then not collecting stamps is a hobby.

12-18-2007, 12:31 AM	#4 (permalink)
connyosis Psycho Location: Sweden - Land of the sodomite damned	Ouch. Maybe http://www.pendrivelinux.com/ could be something then? (If you can boot from USB that is) __________________ If atheism is a religion, then not collecting stamps is a hobby.

12-18-2007, 10:37 AM	#6 (permalink)
Cynthetiq Tilted Cat Head Administrator Location: Manhattan, NY	when your door keeps closing, put the laptop in front of the door. Instant use!!!! __________________ I don't care if you are black, white, purple, green, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, hippie, cop, bum, admin, user, English, Irish, French, Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, Buddhist, Muslim, indian, cowboy, tall, short, fat, skinny, emo, punk, mod, rocker, straight, gay, lesbian, jock, nerd, geek, Democrat, Republican, Libertarian, Independent, driver, pedestrian, or bicyclist, either you're an asshole or you're not. What's the best nation in the world? DO-NATION!

12-17-2007, 10:28 AM	#3 (permalink)
MikeSty The Computer Kid :D Location: 127.0.0.1	I should have been more clear - nothing can run from the CD whatsoever.

12-18-2007, 10:26 AM	#5 (permalink)
MikeSty The Computer Kid :D Location: 127.0.0.1	The laptop is a few years old and I think it lacks USB bootability. I tried a few of those things just for the heck of it to no avail. I hate wasted hardware

12-18-2007, 01:10 PM	#7 (permalink)
MikeSty The Computer Kid :D Location: 127.0.0.1	It's certainly heavy enough