Linux on laptop without cd-rom
 

Hello

I have an old IBM thinkpad 560X, it has no floppy and no CD-rom :D Currently running w2k. :tisk:

I was wondering if this is possible?
I want to remove the HD, plug it into my desktop (I have an 2,5>3,5 adapter) and install mandrake 10, then return the harddisk to the laptop.

Anyone tried this trick or maybe other suggestions?

I don't believe that would work. The drivers for your desktop would be installed.
Without a floppy or cd how do you normally install software?

I think you need to install a floppy and do a network install, or install a cd-rom drive.

I installed win98 while the disk was in my desktop, then placed w2k files on the harddisk, then moved the disk to the laptop, and upgraded 98 to 2000.

wait a second...
 

I know on RedHat, it does a pretty decent job of detecting other hardware if it changes (from personal experiences.) I think the key for you would be to install PCMCIA support and IRDA (if available) support in the kernel when you do this operation.

uhm dunno much about ur laptop, but does it have a nic? n if so can u boot from a network?

#4 okey, I was hoping the hardware detection would be as good as in win98. I will try it today, and post results later.
#5 The thinkpad has no LAN, only IR, but I have a pcmcia 100/10 and 11MbitWAN

mmmm does the nic work? but mmmmm does the bios of ur laptop recognize the nic? if so it is possible 2 be able 2 boot from the network

Re: Linux on laptop without cd-rom
 

I have done exactly that. Works very well, except for one key thing. You have specified Mandy, which is a pathetic excuse for a Linux. I run Linux on three laptops, by installing it from a diferent computer, and have (so far) found original RedHat 9 to be the best and Mandrake the worst. My latest, a Thinkpad with a CDROM ('ROM doesn't recognize the CD correctly:mad: ), is going strong, and was installed from a desktop (hard disk out of laptop like you're talking about) and then further customized on the laptop. Very trouble free. RedHat just picks up the change in hardware. You may get an X error, but on the second tr, it will usually be good to go.