think tank forum

I just got my hands on a T41, thanks to my sister. On it currently is a virus-ridden XP Pro install, that I want to wipe and put OpenBSD 4.3.

Well, I downloaded the install CD image, burned it, and threw it in my TP.

I adjusted boot order to ensure the DVD-ROM/CD-RW is checked before the HDD.

I reset the machine, let it boot ... and it starts checking the CD drive, works for a bit (nothing on screen at this point) then it just boots from HDD.

I went back to BIOS and deselected the HDD from the boot list, same result.

I checked the CD on another machine--booted fine.

Google is not helping me. :(

there should be a key for selecting boot media when you start the thinkpad. have you tried that?

if that doesn't work, you can boot the cd on another machine, install openbsd on a usb memory stick, and boot your thinkpad with that. type bsd.rd at the openbsd boot prompt to boot the install kernel

can you boot from usb on that unit? might try a thumb drive... push comes to shove network booting is an option.

> there should be a key for selecting boot media when you start the thinkpad. have you tried that?

Yup, that too.

> ... install openbsd on a usb memory stick ...

No USB drive at the moment. :-/

I was going to just netboot the thing (I have another BSD machine on the network), but I'd like to figure out why this is happening.

try a snapshot of current?

... ?

Turns out CD drive is fucked.

Did the USB trick after I found a 2GB drive at Wal-Mart for $14. Worked! And now I have a complete OpenBSD installation for me to carry around. :)