Hello,

I have an old Win98 system that I don't use much. I'm thinking about using it as a Linux playground. I'm looking for advice about the best (easiest) strategy for doing this. I don't want to completely remove Win98 just yet (at least not until I am certain that Linux works on the system and that I'm comfortable with it).

It is a Compaq Presario 5221 with 64MB RAM. Installing more RAM is an option I'd consider--but I'd like to see how I like Linux before I spend money on memory for a doomed system). It has a 6 GB HD with about 3.5 GB free space (though probably more if I unistalled stuff I don't use anymore). It also has a floppy drive (actually an LS-120 SuperDrive) and CD drive.

Ideally, I'd like to try Linux from a bootable CD first, before I go mucking about with partitions and stuff. However, from what I can tell, this system does not seem to allow booting directly from CD. Is there a way to use a floppy disk to begin the startup and then switch to CD?

If that's not possible, any recommendations for distributions that I can install relatively easily on the HD without wiping out Win98?

Thanks.
Bill

check out www.suse.com for their Live Evaluation CD or look at knoppix for another alternative. the CD should have information on how to boot the CD using a floppy.