Hello you Linux Gurus,

I have an old IBM ThinkPad T20 and wish to install a Linux Distro on it.
My main obstacles are:
1. I'm new to the linux community
2. My laptop does not have a CD-Rom drive

I do have a working WIN2K OS already installed and an external CD-Rom and Floppy. My laptop also supports Network Boot Utility though I have not the slightest clue of what it is.
In addition I have an internet connection via a desktop computer running WindowsXP.

Any suggestions? Directions? anything?

Thx in advanced, dagankfi

Hello!

Depending on the distro you choose to install the options are different. But if you have a decent internet connection you can make a install boot floppy, and then do the rest of the installation from the internet. I have installed Mandriva and Suse in this way, and I am sure other distros also have this possibility.

Razze

I am a gnu/Debian enthusiast. Here is what I can contribute from my end:
Debian has something called a netinst. Which will only install the core system from the CD ROM then pull the rest of the system from the Internet.

You don't have a CD ROM, but you can still follow the netinst method. I found this link:
http://www.debian.org/releases/stable/i386/
which will allow you to install good ole Sarge onto your system with using your floppy. Sarge is old, however you can find the testing branch called "Etch". I use Etch on my home server and workstation.

just be aware, this is a text base install...pretty easy though if you follow the prompts.

Post any questions and I would be happy to see what I can come up with.

Debian and I think Slackware can both be installed using a floppy, thne using the "netinstall method.

You could also try using:
Instlux: Upgrade your windows

This is an old tutorial for installation SuSE via FTP, but I would be willing to bet that it would still be applicable. Good luck with it

http://usalug.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=2891