Hello all as you can see by the threads title i am a TRUE linux nub!

I've been using windows since Dos stopped being released not knowing about linux until maybe 4 years ago when i was just having to much fun with windows. Now that windows has moved into more of an "entertainment" OS which is very pretty but anyhow i miss playing with batch files and making boot disks to put funky messages during boot... anyhow.. this brings me to my desire to run linux.

I have just purchased a panasonic toughbook CF-M34 for $200 (all i could aford or i'd get a nice fuji/toshiba) anyhow, I found a few install tips on how to get linux onto this system yet my idea that i was planning, i couldn't find anyone who has done it. Now first off, i found a Diebian install (sp?) and a Slack 9.1 install. I was hoping to install Slack 9.0 just because more than 1 person recomending it.

Now my dilema is I have this laptop with no cd rom drive and no floppy dirve but i do have an extra 2.5" HD. My plan was to use this extra HD in a USB enclosure and install the distro to the USB HD through a desktop windows pc. Now thinking this over, is there a install boot disk that will suppord the USB drive? If not, i'm sure you could add the drivers (sorry dos is all i know) to the startup configuration of the boot disk correct?

Anyhow, I hope this makes sense as it is 2:30am and my shift at work is just ending, so if anyone can understand my exhausted blabber, some feedback would be much appreciated.

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well what you are aiming for is a bit difficult... what i would do is to take the cdrom drive out of the windows pc and put it in the laptop long enough to do the install.

I think you can use external cd rom may be it will help

thank you for your replies, however the laptop will not boot from a usb device. However I guess it could be possible to install from windows 95 from an external Cd rom drive is that correct? I never thought about that but it sounds doable..... no ?

BTW what about if you change it at BIOS, is it possible to boot from USB device ?? I think that possible...
Or.. If you just want to try to use linux I think not debian or slack (just 2 try linux) use External cd rom and install WinLinux, I think it`s possible but for expert user (Debian, slank, RH, Madrake, and so on) you should install it well.. Sorry I think external CD ROm or External Floppy can be a choice

Well I want the "full" linux experience, i need to learn this. In the Bios the only option is to boot form A: or C:, now A: doesn't exist so i'm not even sure why its there, i have contacted panasonic inquiring about a bios version that supports a boot usb device however the information I recieved from them was no help as the version of the laptop i have (CF-M34) wasn't one of the options at the URL they gave me. I am going to try tommorow, installing to the USB hard disk from a windows desktop and then put that usb hard disk back into the Toughbook, hope that goes ok, i found instructions at the slack website on how to install to a sieral drive, but then i'm going to have to grab a serial to usb connector, i'm sure i'm making this alot more difficult than it has to be. I'm sure i could use an IDE CDROm in a usb enclosure and install directly to the toughbook through that, but then i'm left with an enclosure that i don't need, not sure if i want to was $69 on it.

linuxquestions.org/questions/showthread.php?s=&threadid=63735

I found this thread through a google search actually and I notice the thread started hasn't been back to LQ since June 2003. Anyone know if this is possible because its exactley what i want to do!

sorry had to do a little hack to get the thread to post due to my newbie*ness

couldn't you just purchase, use, and then return? I would just go with getting a external cd-rom drive, besides using to install Linux it would probably be useful to have easy cd-rom capability with your laptop.

There is a way to install from the hard drive via an iso image, but I'm not sure how it's done.

As for your hack - I admire your ingenuity. Why don't you just start your own thread, tell about your hardware, and what you want to do - since that old thread died?

This is the thread
http://www.linuxquestions.org/questi...threadid=63735

The guy wants to install slack directly to the USB drive, without having to install on the main hard disc.

Perhaps you should read my post again. None of that escaped me. :}
Can you tell him how to do that?

Actually this is rather like a double post ->
http://www.linuxquestions.org/questi...rom+hard+drive

LQ Rules - Do not post the same discussion in more than one forum. Duplicate discussions can be frustrating for other members. Try and pick the most relevant forum for your post. If you are unsure put it in Linux - General.

I know its like a dupe post but no one is paying much attention to my original post... so i thought of starting this one. Sorry for my ignorance.

http://linuxquestions.org/questions/history/151116

This thread also discusses the same.