[PLUG] Laptop issues

[Denis Heidtmann]

On Thu, Dec 16, 2010 at 1:47 PM, Denis Heidtmann
<denis.heidtmann at gmail.com>wrote:

> On Thu, Dec 16, 2010 at 11:04 AM, Russell Senior <
> russell at personaltelco.net> wrote:
>
>> >>>>> "Denis" == Denis Heidtmann <denis.heidtmann at gmail.com> writes:
>>
>> Denis> Russell, After I make a bootable USB drive, how do I get the
>> Denis> Pavilion to boot from the USB?  The USB is not on the list of
>> Denis> boot devices.  Do I need a floppy to start the process?
>>
>> Hmm.  I may be wrong, but there's an option on the initial bootup
>> screen (press Esc?) to get boot options.  There may be a removable
>> drive option that would work?  See what choices it gives you.  Maybe
>> (long shot) it doesn't include the USB option unless there is a USB
>> plugged in?
>>
>> If this laptop doesn't fly, I may have another one available (it has a
>> cracked case in one corner, currently missing a harddisk, but
>> otherwise works afaik).
>>
>> Sorry for all the trouble, btw... it worked that last time I tried to
>> use it.
>>
>> Denis> But the first order of business is to become thumb-enabled.
>>
>> A 1gig thumbdrive might be sufficient, but 2gigs would be safer.
>>
>> It includes a removable  option, which I assumed was the floppy, which it
> does boot from.  When I get a thumbdrive loaded with a bootable something, I
> will try it out.  Maybe hope yet.
>
> Thanks,
> -Denis
>

Update:

A lot water has gone under the proverbial bridge. With Russell's assistance,
we got a CD drive functioning, installed Win 98, but it crashed twice
identically, leading us to believe that the newer machine and the older OS
did not want to live together.  After the divorce, I tried installing 98 on
a Gateway 4026GZ.  It installed, but would only operate in safe mode.  It
did not know how to operate the display in anything other than the default.
No matter; the USB did not work either.  I downloaded a generic USB driver
and installed it.  The device manager said all is well with the USB.
However, no life can be detected at the USB connections.  I am calling this
marriage not even begun, unless there is a counselor who can save it.

So, the need remains:  1) Get the scanner to operate from some operating
system (it used to operate on win 98/me.) to prove it can still be done. 2)
If successful, acquire an old laptop which can do 1).  Russell has an old
desktop which may be able to establish the proof of concept.  And I suppose
I could use a desktop, although I'd rather avoid the power and space use
that entails.

-Denis