[pocket-linux] Re: Copy Pocket Linux disks to floppy

[James Maki]

> -----Original Message-----
> From: QU CHEN

>
> Jim wrote:
> >I copied the disk with dd if=ch3-rootdisk.image.gz of=/dev/fd0 bs=1k
> >When I try to mount /dev/fd0 the disk, I get an error
> >mount: you must specify the filesystem type.
>
> >BUT, the disk does work! I had made a mistake compiling the kernel >w/out
> RAM disk support to confuse the issue.
>
> It is really good to hear that you get the stuff work. Also I was
> encountering
> this problem by a not well compiled kernel.
>
> But for the mount/umount, still I have to know which command you
> have used.
> Have you used "mount /dev/fd0 /mnt/floppy", or "mount -t ext2
> /dev/fd0 /mnt/floppy"?
> (assume /mnt/floppy exists)
>
> QU Chen
>

To QU Chen, Dave and Dave,

Thanks for the responses, comments and help. To preface this reply, let me
say again that I am a Linux newbie, neophyte and amateur. I am more skilled
using application software than operating system software. That said, my
desire is to become more proficent with Linux and I think that requires a
more under the hood approach. I have downloaded and installed Fedora Core 1
on a spare system to experiment and am working through the Pocket Linux
setup.

I am not sure what system settings are important, so I may give more
information that necessary to answer the questions and comments. Sorry if
some of the information is a repeat of earlier posts.

I work in Gnome with a BASH console. Not the native command line interface.
Today, after shutting down the system last night and re-booting this
morning, I cannot duplicate the problems I had with mounting and unmounting
the floppy. See the example below the next quoted section. Am I using the
mount command incorrectly?

> James,
>
>     The reason you can not list the contents of the floppy that
> you put the ch3-rootdisk.image.gz on is because it is compressed
> with the gzip binary.  This is like ZIP files in the Windows world.
> Second, dd command is like an image "burning" utility.  It creates
> something like an ISO for CDRoms, but for floppies instead.  You
> couldn't browse the contents of an ISO without special software.
> Hope this answered your question.
>
> - Dave Henderson

With the chapter 3 root disk in the floppy--
cd /
mount /dev/fd0
cd /mnt/floppy
ls

gives the following output:
bin
dev
floppytext.txt
lost+found

so it does seem to be readable. I understand the concept Dave Henderson is
discussing, but perhaps I misunderstood his comments.

I can then umount /dev/fd0 without a problem. Sometimes I get the message
umount: /mnt/floppy: device is busy. I think I may have JUST tracked that
down to NOT changing the directory (from /mnt/floppy)! I am not sure where
my previous problems have been originating. I really appreciate this list.
The questions and comments make me investigate what I am doing to justify
the comments and results. I often come to a resolution with repeating the
procedure but cannot always identify the source of the original problem.

I hope to be able to move on to the Architect Toolkit when I have "mastered"
Pocket Linux. Thanks to all.

Jim