[H-GEN] MacBook booting problems

[Gavin Duley]

Hello,

On Fri, Mar 4, 2011 at 14:21, Stephen Thorne <stephen at thorne.id.au> wrote:
> If you can find anyone with a mac, it's actually possible to use Disk
> Utility to copy installation media from a CD-ROM to a USB device.
>
> We have a USB harddrive at work that when we boot from it, gives us 5
> different options for which installation procedure we would like to
> boot. This was created using nothing more than Disk Utility on a modern
> Mac.

Sephen and Mark -- thanks for the suggestions.

Sorry for the slow reply, I've got a bit behind with email. I was
using a spare PIII that I'd installed Ubuntu on whilst my MacBook is
'resting', but that abruptly died yesterday (maybe some problem with
the PSU, but I'm not certain -- haven't opened it up yet).

I took the MacBook to pieces to double check the DVD drive (it's no
longer under warranty). It turned out, luckily, that it was fine --
the problem is that the slot in the case has become a bit dodgy. The
felt that is meant to keep dust out of the drive has become somewhat
stiff, and there is a piece of plastic in the case that seems to be
getting in the way a bit. I can still load DVDs -- it just takes a
little persuading, and they may get slightly scratched in the process.

So I just need a new hard disc. I should be able to get one tomorrow.
Thanks for the offer of help with installing the new hard disc, Mark,
but I've done this before with this computer -- it's fairly easy.
Certainly far easier than the DVD drive :-)

I'll probably put OS X on it first, as there are a couple of files I
have that need OS X-only software to read them. I'm still considering
putting Ubuntu on it, though -- at the moment, I'm using the Ubuntu
install disc as a live CD in it, and it's working quite well. It's the
only computer I have at the moment that is sort of working (X11 is
doing some very weird things on my Sun Ultra 5), even if the hard disc
drive is sitting on my desk.

thanks,

gavin,

-- 
Honestly, if you're given the choice between Armageddon or tea, you
don't say 'What kind of tea?'
               -- Neil Gaiman

Gavin Duley
<gavin at microcomaustralia.com.au> <gpd at sdf-eu.org>
WWW: http://www.gavinduley.org/