So you don't want to waste a CD/DVD, but so far you can't figure out how to boot from USB.....
If you have an external USB hard/flash drive that cannot be seen from openfirmware....
Well, if you have Mac OS X installed then the solution it is pretty simple. This is what to do:
1. Download the iso and save it somewhere on a regular ntfs/fat/vfat/ext2/ext3/ext4 formatted USB drive. The important part is that it should not be hfs+ formatted because it won't work.
2. Create a new folder somewhere on your Mac OS X install. For ease it is best to place it on the root of the partition and call it 'casper'. Btw, this time it should be a hfs/hfs+ partition.
3. Mount the iso. In MAC OS X Panther I 'right click', select 'Open With >' and choose 'DiskImageMounter'.
4. You'll see the iso also has a folder called casper. Contained in there are two further folders 'powerpc' and 'powerpc64'. If you have a G3/G4 then copy the powerpc folder to the new casper folder. If you have a G5 then copy the powerpc64 folder.
5. On the root of the iso there is an 'install' folder. In there are the files 'yaboot' and 'yaboot.conf'. Copy both of these to your new casper folder.
6. So you should now have a casper folder with powerpc/powerpc64, yaboot and yaboot.conf. All that is left to do now is make a note of the partition number.
7. Reboot into openfirmware. When you hear the startup chimes hold down the four keys: command + option/alt + o + f and keep them pressed until you see the openfirmware prompt.
8. Type (replace 3 with your partition number, and 'hd' with something else if you've not installed it to the first hard drive):
9. Yaboot should load. It will complain about the partition type which is a bit off putting. Press TAB to get your options.Code:boot hd:3,\casper\yaboot
10. Type your option and use the boot parameter iso-scan/filename=ubuntu-desktop.iso (changing the name and adding any folder paths as necessary)
e.g.
Note: You can add this parameter to your yaboot.conf file if your prefer.Code:live iso-scan/filename=/downloads/ubuntu-desktop.iso
11. The system will boot and your drives will be automatically scanned to find the iso file. You should see the desktop.
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