Load linux or run linux on Dell latitude C600

ninadb · 05-12-2010, 08:25 AM

Hi

I have an old laptop Dell C600 with config as
PIII 850mhz
256mb RAM
20GB HDD
Windows XP preloaded

Unfortunately the cd-rom drive is not working
I am checking if the Floppy drive works
Also the USB port is not bootable

In such a situation how do i run or install Linux on this laptop

No frills distro will do. Basic need is to surf the internet, videos and music. Will do some programming stuff also

Thanks
Ninad

HasC · 05-12-2010, 08:50 AM

Well, if you're really adventurous, you can try something like this:

Provided your floppy drive works and your notebook have a NIC, boot using Etherboot/PXE http://rom-o-matic.net/
Boot System Rescue CD using NFS or NBD http://www.sysresccd.org/Sysresccd-m...etwork_booting
Partition your hard disk as you like
Install Debian through debootstrap http://www.debian.org/releases/stabl...apds03.html.en

Of course, perhaps you can boot another rescue distro through the net, and perhaps you can install another distro instead of Debian. What I'm telling you is what I've already tried and succeeded to do

snowpine · 05-12-2010, 09:09 AM

If HasC's method doesn't work, you can simply take the hard drive out and swap it into another computer with a working CD-ROM drive, then swap it back when installation is complete. There is no one "must have" distro but I agree that Debian is one of several good choices.

HasC · 05-12-2010, 10:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by snowpine

If HasC's method doesn't work, you can simply take the hard drive out and swap it into another computer with a working CD-ROM drive, then swap it back when installation is complete. There is no one "must have" distro but I agree that Debian is one of several good choices.

That could be a better idea. I didn't propose it 'cause it's a lot harder to do it with a notebook.