netbook install difficulties

[monkeydeskstand]

Hello, I am trying to install a mini linux on a very lame netbook that has win ce, but I don't think it has usb booting. Could it be possible to put something on a usb to install over windows cd from within windoes. Like reset the netbook and have the linux.

I will try to create a bootable usb, would Unetbootin work with any linux? Mabe I can connect to my win 7 machine but I have never done that with any computer. Hope I am making at least a little sence, BTW the netbook has no serial numbers, name, anything.

[BJF]

The standard advice in these cases is to begin with the machine stopped.
Start it, and scan the first screen for something like "Press F2 to enter setup".
If you are fast enough to hit the key mentioned you will open the bios.
If you are experienced with the above, I apologize for treating you as a Noob.
Shift along the sections at the top of screen with the right-arrow key to "Boot".
Hit return when it's highlighted, and have a look inside the Boot Order for any mention of usb.
If present, move it up to the top of the list.

If there isn't a usb option, and presumably (please advise) no optical drive present, you are in quite deep doodoo.

F10 will generally save any meaningful changes and carry on the boot, or you can opt out without changing anything.

Should you have access to a usb optical drive, you can install to your hard drive from a live disk but only if your bios supports CD booting and it is at the top of the list.

Again, if you are in advance of all the above, sorry.
 

[monkeydeskstand]

I appreciate your response.

I assume, all computers need some sort of BIOS functions, to work.

[BJF]

Correct. BIOS stands for Basic Input Output System. If it boots up, it is because there is a bios under there somewhere. The first "page" you find when you F2 or whatever will also tell us all about what the machine is and when it was born, and what goodies lurk inside. Let us know how you get on. 

[monkeydeskstand]

Hi, been using pclinux (off-and-on) since the day the first version was released and still love it. My favorite was 93a but it keeps getting better.

But anyway the 7" notebook is my mothers, she went to a seminar to learn about doing internet this and that, told her the info was (is) readily available on the net. She said but I will get a free netbook. I said really,,, just don't do it though, for the price it's making people easy money, and is likely more of an infomercial-type-scam than anything.

The netbook was 'supposed' to have wireless internet, never found anything on it that suggests it has onboard wireless.

So anyway it has no model number, name, nothing except "made in china." Even the user manual says made in china, with mediocre translations and instructions in parts of it.

Anyway I tried to put a small file on the netbook via USB and apparently it's filled to the brim with it's 64 MB hard drive or whatever drives it. Could be a corrupted install, but still need to install something.

So anyway, I found this nifty little linux distro, http://www.slitaz.org/ http://distrowatch.com/weekly.php?issue=20080331 Ran it a VM and it seems great for the size. Like 40MB. That is what I am looking to put on it.

This netbook has no booting options, just on and sleep mode.

Maybe I can use a networking cable to connect directly to my Win 7 or XP machine and install from there. I am a moron when it comes to networking computers together though.

As far as the, fast enough for boot options, I install operating systems for a few$$ from time to time, start talking for a moment and it's, start over, and over, sometimes over and over.

We sometimes complain when systems don't boot fast enough, then complain they boot too fast, HaHA

[Nafees]

Maybe the bios options are hidden, Try repeatedly pressing F2 during boot up, don't wait for any bios splash. Also try tapping the f10,f11 or f12 keys during boot, for example; f12 brings up the bootable devices on lenovo laptops without having to adjust the default boot configuration.
Best of luck!