Re: installing on laptop

[Heather <star@betelgeuse.starshine.org>]

> I am wondering how one would go about installing Debian on a laptop that has no cdrom or network card? Can I use a direct cable connection to my pc? If so what configurations do I need on the pc? Many thanks in advance.
> 
> Dan Cox

There is a HOWTO for using parallel "laplink" cords to do this:
	http://www.linux.org/docs/ldp/howto/PLIP-Install-HOWTO.html

	Essentially once you have PLIP itself working, the rest is a 
	standard network-based install.

Alternatively, you can
	1. install via floppies
		you'll need about 15 of them, so you can get Base installed,
		and cook up a rescue floppy or two for yourself.  How you'll 
		give it more than Base when you'll still have no cdrom nor 
		network, I dunno, since some debs are bigger than a floppy.  

	2. the "hard" way - take out the hard disk and prep it elsewhere
		I actually have done this many times.  You need:
		a. a workspace where it is VERY easy to not lose little 
		   bitty screws
		b. many sizes of screwdriver
		c. enough gumption and carefulness to open your laptop
		   and remove the drive
		d. some adapter that will let you mount up the drive in
		   another box with, ahem, modern conveniences.  This 
		   could be PCMCIA-to-ATAPI, or a cheap adapter for the
		   mini-IDE pinout to Standard Desktop size IDE cords.

		Then just install the distro on /dev/hdb or whatever 
		it shows up as, customize as much as you can (you'll
		have the wrong video details, at minimum) and grab
		the raw .debs for anything else you think you will be
		needing.  and tgz's or other source kits of anything
		else you'll be needing from The Outside World before you
		lock the thing back up in its old laptop.

		e. Be EXTRA careful not to squish the Host's boot record 
		   with the one for the laptop's drive :(

Best in your quest...

* Heather Stern * star@ many places...