Question about Packard Bell BIOS

[mrhegemon]

Please don't laugh, as I know just how horrible Packard Bells are. However, I want to use my old 486 box to test UNIX and Linux on. The problem is that all of the distributions I want to install are best installed from CDs and this computer does not appear to have the ability to boot from the CD-ROM drive. As I understand, this can be solved by updating the BIOS. Unfortunately, all Packard Bell support is completely gone for US customers, so does anyone have an idea or help for how I might go about changing my BIOS/is that even a viable option?

I know all about the dangers of a BIOS change, but it is either that, or the computer is junk. If it helps, It is a 486DX2 processor 66MHz, 24MB RAM, currently running Pheonix BIOS 4.03 from 1993. I am not sure of the motherboard type, but the startup screen has something like a model number, PB450M PNPrelease x1.15.

Thanks for any help.

 

[franklin97355]

You can always (well not ALWAYS) boot from a linux floppy and then do the install. Some distributions have the boot floppys on the CD in DOS format along with instructions.

 

[mrhegemon]

Nonono, what I meant is that the CD-ROM drive is not recognized until DOS starts up and loads the MSCDEX program. The CD drive is not loaded with the BIOS. Does that make sense?

 

[franklin97355]

Yes, but if you boot to the floppy it will activate the CD just like DOS does. If you get the distribution with the boot floppies on the CD then just boot the system into DOS or windows and make the floppies.

 

[edfair]

Or possibly another controller with boot control.

Ed Fair
Any advice I give is my best judgement based on my interpretation of the facts you supply. Help increase my knowledge by providing some feedback, good or bad, on any advice I have given.

 

[mrhegemon]

I've already tried installing from the CD drive and I am sure it does not work. I obviously had to use the boot floppies and the install process is good up until it asks me where the rest of the install files are. I tell it the CD drive and it says it cannot find it. The boot floppy does NOT load DOS. I am not sure if this is the problem, but I opened the computer and found that the CD-ROM drive is attached to the sound card and not to the motherboard directly.

 

[franklin97355]

You'd be better off trashing the computer unless you can find on one of the linux sites a boot module for that type of CD drive since it's probably not IDE.

 

[edfair]

The problem is probably not the CD, you have roughtly a 95% probability that it works with standard ATAPI drivers.
The problems are with the activation of the IDE port on the sound card and the BIOS not having CD boot capabilities.

In a DOS environment I would pull the sound card and install an IDE controller. Gives a second IDE channel. Or a 3rd if there are already 2 on the M/B.

But if there are 2 already on the M/B you can relocate the cable to the second and try with ATAPI CD drivers.

Your'e looking for a second 40 pin header on the motherboard.

Ed Fair
Any advice I give is my best judgement based on my interpretation of the facts you supply. Help increase my knowledge by providing some feedback, good or bad, on any advice I have given.