Linux distros

spin498

Firstly, the sticky for the Noob guide doesn't work anymore, the link goes nowhere.

Ok, my issue. Got an old IBM laptop with 800 mhz cpu. It's running xp and I wanted to switch to Linux. I have discovered unfortunately that the CD is dead. Wont read any discs on boot or even in Windows. I've gone through the BIOS and can't find an option for boot from USB. I remember years ago doing Linux install via network. Do any of the current distros still offer an install that way?

beatz

Here's a guide for a install without cd: link. But you still need to boot from USB/floppy/CD to install the bootloader(grub).

I own a laptop without optical myself. I just took out the harddrive and installed linux via my pc and then put the drive back in. it's possible because most linux installs are flexible when it comes to drivers, so no problem booting the same linux on different systems.

spin498

beatz wrote:

I just took out the harddrive and installed linux via my pc and then put the drive back in. it's possible because most linux installs are flexible when it comes to drivers, so no problem booting the same linux on different systems.

Now why didn't I think of that!:O

lunchb0x

If they're different processor manufactures (ie, desktop is AMD, laptop is Intel), you may need to edit the initrd to get it to boot properly, but its not that difficult. A google search should be able to point you in the right direction.

spin498

Thanks, that's worth knowing. I have one of each with my luck I would have tried using the wrong one.