Re: [cobalt-users] gateway microserver 100

[Malcolm McLeary <mmcleary@xxxxxxx>]

Hi Shawn,

on 25/7/01 12:24 PM, Shawn Crull at shawn@xxxxxxxxxx wrote:

> I have a gateway microserver 100 that someone gave me for free, and I'm
> looking to make it somewhat usable in the real world.

I still run a Gateway Microserver 100 ... its perfectly useable in the real
world as is.  It really depends on owner expectations.  For that matter I
also have a functional Qube 2700WG which is also useful in the real world.

> 1. gateway has categorically disavowed any knowledge of these things for
> some reason? Nothing on their web site, and nothing from a tech, except that
> I have 60 days left on my warrantee, whatever that's worth.

Simply put, Gateway don't have any ability/capability to support it.
Gateway is a PC hardware manufacturer ... they don't do software (or OSes).

> 2. No way to update this puppy to anything secure, or to load any new
> software on it.

Strictly speaking it can be updated and new software installed in the same
way as it is done on a Qube.  The problem is that there are changes from the
Qube2 so standard Qube2 packages will not install.

The expectation was that Gateway would pay Cobalt to roll Gateway versions
of Qube2 packages or they'd do it themselves.  Gateway chose to do nothing.

> 3. In researching this thing, I have seen reference to people "flashing" it
> with a cobalt restore cd, and thus turning it into a black Qube of sorts,
> and now they can apply software patches, etc.

Its not really "flashing", its simply doing an OS Restore on it with a Qube2
OS Restore CD.  At the end of the process it will be a "black" Qube2.

> 4. I can't seem to find "any" resources for actually getting my hands on a
> restore cd, and/or instructions on how to do it.

Cobalt should be able to sell you one.  It comes with instructions, but
essentially you boot a PC with the CD and then get the Microserver/Qube to
do a net boot (from the PC) and the restore proceeds.  The issue tends to be
the specific NICs which are supported by the OS Restore CD.

> 5. Is there a cobalt ftp site that I can go to and get the software?

You could try <ftp://ftp.nl.cobalt.com/pub/iso/> where you will find CD
images which can be burned with standard burning software.

I have not used any of these images personally.

Cheers,  Malcolm

-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --

                       Information Alchemy Pty Ltd
                             ACN 089 239 305
                           Canberra, Australia

Malcolm McLeary                                Mobile:     0412 636 086
Managing Director                              Email:  mmcleary@xxxxxxx

     This message was sent using Outlook Express 5.0 for Macintosh.