How would YOU do this? <Linux question inside>

[flippinfleck]

I've got an old Twinhead Laptop (100mhz, 504MB HD, 16MB Ram) that I would like to add Linux to.

The only problem? My only possible connection to any other computer lies in the Floppy Drive, Serial Port, and Parallel Port. I don't mind trashing what's on the HD now if I need to use all the space.

I would eventually like to be able to use this machine to SSH into another linux box that I have running sans monitor and keybd. Other than that, it would be more of a learning experience.

Any idea's?

 

[cleverhandle]

I've done this with Slackware - not sure which other distros, if any, would work. Install the base system ("a" disk set) and the main tcp/ip package - this can all be done via floppies. Once you've got that, you should have a working, extremely minimalist system. Use the parallel port to create a PLIP connection to a desktop, getting whatever other packages you need via NFS.

It may be possible to simply do a network install from a couple boot floppies, but I've never tried it and don't know if they would recognize a PLIP connection.

 

[Buddha Bart]

Here's how to do a debian install from floppy
http://www.debian.org/distrib/floppyinst

Debian is very well designed for using a minimal install, and then using apt-get to bring everything else in. Slack-packages are glorified tarballs, so you'd better know alot about what you're doing and dependancies.

bart

 

[flippinfleck]

Thanks guys!

I'm going to give Debian a try. I've not used it yet, something new.

 

[Abzstrak]

I'd highly suggest adding a NIC to the system