Hello all,
I any kinda new to rpm based linux distros, I have Mandrake 8.2 running the out dated kernel and a lot of other stuff, but when I was try to compile some gps software from the source-code the configure script complained that gcc 3.xx is needed and I then checked my ver of gcc, which was 2.96 (doesn't surprise me). Any ways what is a quick easy way to update this machine's vita sys apps, which does not have a bootable cd-rom drive (does have a boot-able floppy and has net access), and runs X although it does not fully meet the requirements (slow at times)?

Thanks Evilchild

You could try an NFS or Internet install by booting via the install floppies off of the images on the CD-ROM(s) of Mandrake.

You may even be able to perform an FTP install.

However not having a BOOTABLE CD rom, doesn't mean that you can't still install from CD.

You may merely need to boot from a floppy boot image.

These are provided on the CD's for systems without bootable CD rom drives or SCSI CD-ROM drives.

Get Mandrake 10 (my perference until 10.1 OFFICIAL comes out) and don't bother with your old version.

thanks, does mandrake 10 have a usb device boot floppy (allow you to boot from a floppy then load the proper drivers to access a usb cd-rom, thats how I installed 8.2?

If you can boot to DOS via the USB key you can use loadlin to boot up the installer from there.