64-bit ubuntu-server Version 8 CD and Serial Console

[Brian McKee]

On Mon, Dec 8, 2008 at 12:43 PM, Martin McCormick
<martin at dc.cis.okstate.edu> wrote:
>        On debian, I have been booting the CDROM for years now
> with linux console=ttyS0,9600,n,8,1
>
>        and that gets you right in to the installation screen at
> the "choose language" prompt.
>
>        I had someone look at the monitor connected to this
> server today to see why that wouldn't work and it doesn't
> because it essentially boots immediately.

Hi Martin

I have the 'alternate' cd in front of me, not the server one, but I
think they are the same in this respect.

It's not actually starting immediately, but the grub menu has been
prettied up a lot.

The first spot you can interact at asks you what language you would
like, and defaults to English.

It then gives you a screen with these choices in order

Install
Check CD
Rescue a broken system
Test memory
Boot from first disc

And at the bottom of the screen are 6 options tied the function keys

f1 help
f2 language
f3 keymap
f4 modes
f5 accessibility
f6 other options

That f5 menu has six choices
None
High Contrast
Magnifier
Screen Reader
Braille Terminal
Keyboard Modifiers
On-Screen Keyboard


I don't know if any of those would be useful to you or not.

If you wish to modify the boot entry as you've been doing all along,
then chose f6 which puts the cursor at the end of a long boot line
with two dashes and a space on it.  Back up three spaces and add your
arguments.


To summarize, I think what you want is this.

Boot from the cd.  Hit return to choose english. hit f6 for other
options.  Back up three characters to remove the double dashes and add
console=ttyS0,9600,n,8,1 then hit return.

If I'm mistaken about the server cd, or my instructions don't work as
expected shout back and we'll get you going.

Brian