I want to install Linux to a notebook PC that has lost its Windows OS and does not have a built-in CDROM drive. No network is available for network installation. Fortunately, it is a newer machine with a huge memory and a functioning floppy drive.

Is this possible (for a newbie)? If so, can you provide specific instructions or provide URLs of sites on the web that provide detailed (and fairly easy to understand) instructions?

My instincts tell me that it might be possible to copy the most important files one by one from the Red Hat CDROM to a floppy using another computer and then install them one by one through the floppy drive until I get a miminal system installed. Would this really work?

Thank you.

I can recall the day, more than 6 years ago, when I installed Linux for the first time from about 60 - 70 floppies. Not fun.

I think you have a couple options to avoid the total floppy install (if possible).

1) get your hands on a Parallel port ZIP drive.
2) get your hands on a Parallel port IDE CDROM.
3) install Linux through a network adapter on the laptop.

I know that Slackware may work for all three options. (best case hardware) and RedHat and others should support them as well.

Gary