DOCUMENT ID:  1123-02

SYNOPSIS:     Installation of Solaris x86 on Laptop/Notebook 486 computers

OS RELEASE:   

PRODUCT:      Solaris x86

KEYWORDS:     install portable notebook laptop AST Compaq Toshiba Xircom


DESCRIPTION:

Notebooks and laptops present some limitations not found on most
workstation platforms.  These make installation more difficult usually
due to lack of SCSI, network, memory, hard disk, and/or VGA support. 


SOLUTION:

In order to provide alternatives and make installation choices easy,
this tech note will present some guidelines to the portable computer
user that should be known before installing x86. 

The options for installation are Direct to Disk, Port Expander or Net
Install.  Each has its caveats and additional hardware is usually
required ranging in cost from $28.00 to $600.00.  Each option will be
covered in detail below. 

To clarify the examples presented here, we'll use an AST Powerexec
486/25sl as an example platform, however, other manufacturers systems
are supported as well: Compaq LTE Lite 4/25C or 4/33C, and the Toshiba
T4400C or T4600C models are examples. 

When ordering your computer hardware, make sure that you adhere to the
minimum hardware requirements as stated in the x86 Hardware
Compatibility List (HCL):

 (1) a minimum of 12Mb of memory, preferably 20Mb
 (2) a minimum of 180Mb of disk
 (3) a docking bay, IDE high-density adapter, a Trantor, or a Xircom PE2.
 (4) the appropriate .PMI file (if used with OpenWindows)


To expound on the 4 ways to install the operating system on a notebook
requires a few helpful hints...  like shop around for attractive prices
on 16MB memory modules.  For example, when installing on the AST 486,
two Kingston KST-0984/16 were used for a system capacity of 32 MB.  Also
do not expect to get the installation perfect the first time.  Do a test
install using the core installation (30 MB), log in as root, and see how
much hard disk space you have remaining.  This will help you determine
how much space to allocate to each disk "slice" for the final
installation. 

Approach #1:  Install direct to the hard disk.

The manufacturer of your portable may have a hard disk-to-PC adapter
available that allows you to remove the hard disk from the laptop and
insert it into a Solaris-capable PC.  With this adapter, you can install
x86 normally and simply move the hard disk back to your portable when
complete.  If your manufacturer does not have this type of bracket, they
are usually available at most larger computer stores.  To test this type
of installation, a $28.00 high-density to standard 40-pin IDE board was
used without incident.  Note when using this method the drive from your
laptop must be drive 0 and you must do a "touch /reconfigure" to cause
it to reconfigure for the hardware in your laptop before you put the
drive back into the laptop. 

Approach #2:  Install using the laptop's parallel port and a net install.

This method requires a Xircom PE2 or PE3 ethernet adapter and the latest
driver update diskette, available on CompuServe (GO SUNSOFT), through
the Internet, or from Technical Support.  To install, plug the Xircom
adapter into your parallel port and to the ethernet connection, boot the
computer with the boot diskette that came with the Driver.  Update and
follow the directions for an installation over the network (NetInstall)
found on page 115 of the System Configuration and Installation Guide for
x86. 

Approach #3:  Install using the laptop's parallel port and a CD install.

This method requires a Trantor SCSI adapter and the latest driver update
diskette, available on CompuServe (GO SUNSOFT), through the Internet, or
from Technical Support.  To install, plug the Trantor adapter into your
parallel port and to the CD-ROM, boot the computer with the boot
diskette that came with the Driver.  Update and follow the directions
for a normal installation via CD-ROM.  Note that the Trantor does not
supply power to terminate the SCSI bus, so be sure your CD drive is
jumpered to supply termination power. 

Approach #4:  Use a docking station.

Docking/Expansion adapters are usually available from the computer
manufacturer for about $500.00.  These have one or more ISA bus
expansion slots into which you can insert a supported SCSI and/or
ethernet adapter.  To test this type of installation, a SMC WD 8013
network card and an Adaptec 1542C SCSI adapter were used successfully. 


DATE APPROVED: 10/10/95