[olug] Damn Small Linux install on WYSE thin client

[DYNATRON tech]

hello everyone.

i've got a pyle of wyse thin clients that i'm trying to convert into linux
boxes (basically for web browsing, maybe simple office apps).
 ideally, i'd like to install linux on the on-board compact flash so i don't
need a thumb drive for each box.
i decided to use damn small linux (good choice?), and after formating a
thumb drive (thanks jay) for FAT32, i used syslinux to make it bootable.
i then unzipped the embedded version onto the thumbdrive as instructed by
the DSL-USB drive tutorial....
http://www.damnsmalllinux.org/wiki/index.php/Installing_to_a_USB_Flash_Drive


everything went well as far as preparations, but when i put the USB drive
into the thinclient, it doesn't even light up.
i boot the thinclient and rather than the thumb drive booting up, it boots
from the on-board compact flash card into the crapfest that is windows NT
4.0.
even worse, i can't use my NT password crack on it (no CD drive, can't boot
USB), so i have a useless OS (even with the password), and i can't get into
any bios configuration. i've tried all of the usual hotkeys, but to no
avail. i tried checking out wyse's website, but they only have support/docu.
for items less than 2 years old. this model was built april 2000. the
tutorial suggested trying to format FAT16 instead of 32, but if the USB
drive isn't even powering up, then i don't think the file system would be
the issue (not yet anyhow).

i've been without a permanent linux installation for about a year now. all
i've got is this PHLAK liveCD from 2005 that i'm using now to send this
e-mail, so i'd really like to get these thin clients up and going. i plan on
donating a couple them to the library down the street for web browsers, as
they currently only have a couple crappy P2 boxes right now.

i'm open to any suggestions, but i usually just get flamed or ignored on
OLUG.
i guess i don't hate M$ enough or something...
if anyone has some constructive advice, i'd be greatly greatful.

the thin clients have a 64MB compact flash instead of a HD, a single stick
of laptop RAM, one USB port, onboard sound/ethernet/video, PCMCIA WiFi, and
some wierd processor that might be a cyrix or some off brand like that. the
thumb drive is a 64MB.

thanks for taking the time to read this.
thanks even more for taking the time to respond.

-j