Fwd: Installation without sysinstall

[Ernie Luzar]

Sergey Lukin wrote:
> Hi,
> Just an update to my previous email. Turns out, sysinstall doesn't freeze,
> it just didn't configure the keyboard layout properly. In result, for
> instance, F1 press performs as if "E" keystroke was pressed and F2 as if
> "C" was pressed. I guess I should choose to "configure kernel via CLI"
> option before proceeding to the sysinstall and configure keyboard layout
> there. Is my guess correct? Is there any advice you could provide me with
> while I'm hacking my way alone?
>
> Any advice is appreciated.
>
> Thanks
> Sergey
>
>
> ---------- Forwarded message ----------
> From: Sergey Lukin <contact at sergeylukin.com>
> Date: Sat, Jan 10, 2015 at 6:12 PM
> Subject: Installation without sysinstall
> To: freebsd-doc at freebsd.org
>
>
> Hi,
> I want to install FreeBSD on my old ThinkPad with 12Mb of RAM. I only have
> Floppy drive, Compaq WL100 PCMCIA Wifi and 3COM LAN (3CRPAG175)  card.
>
> I tried installing 4.3 as it meets my hardware requirements but
> unfortunately the sysinstall is freezing right when it starts. As far as I
> understand it requires more RAM to operate so my questions is how can I
> install FreeBSD 4.*/5.* without sysinstall?
>
> Note that I'm not Unix guru but am very comfortable with Unix command line
> and in somewhat comfortable with FreeBSD in general so will have no problem
> making my way though CLI only if I had helpful directions.
>
> I'd highly appreciate any help.
>
> Thank you
> Sergey
>
>
>   

This question was posted to the wrong mailing list. 
freebsd-doc at freebsd.org is for subjects about documentation.
This question should be posted to freebsd-questions at freebsd.org which I 
have done with this reply.

4.3 is no longer supported. It reached EOL [end of life] a long time 
ago. In newer versions of FreeBSD sysinstall
has been replaced with bsdinstall. If release 10.1 won't install on that 
old PC, then remove its hard drive and put it into newer
PC and perform MBR install from there. Then return the hard drive to old 
PC and it should boot and run ok

Another suggestion is to search the questions archives using keywords 
"thinkpad, freebsd sysinsall error", Good chance your
problem has been discussed when 4.x was supported and thinkpad was a 
current production manufacture model PC.