Hi again everyone, I got a question. I have heard that some version of Linux can be run from a CD and you dont have to put anything on your hard drive, which version is this? The reason being is that my Laptop hard drive was physically destroyed (dont ask how ) and i cant get a new one anytime soon, and i need an OS to run for a little while.

The laptop is a Dell Inspiron 3500, 300 mhz PII, and 96mb of Ram. Any help will be appreciated.

Nick

There are severalI Use Puppy Linux, and even give it away.
The trouble for you is it takes 256mb RAM to work in memory, and a CD/DVD writer to save you work.
THe puppy is a 60 mb download.

Ive ran knoppix on mine before,using Suse 9.3 atm.

What are the minimum system requirements?

* Intel-compatible CPU (i486 or later),

* 32 MB of RAM for text mode, at least 96 MB for graphics mode with KDE (at least 128 MB of RAM is recommended to use the various office products),

* bootable CD-ROM drive, or a boot floppy and standard CD-ROM (IDE/ATAPI or SCSI),

* standard SVGA-compatible graphics card,

* serial or PS/2 standard mouse or IMPS/2-compatible USB-mouse.

http://www.knoppix.net/
http://www.knopper.net/

You can run the Puppy with the same min. specs but you need a hard drive. Have you looked at http://www.pricewatch.com/ for a hard drive?

EDIT: Found link... http://www.serverpartswarehouse.com/ic35l020aver07-0.html

Damn Small Linux



http://www.damnsmalllinux.org/

Thank you all for your help, i managed to get a 6gb drive (dont laugh ) for $20 and put win2000 on it and everything works fine for the moment at least.

I moved all my kids computers from ME to XP. For me W2k is XP Lite. I think you made a good chooice. You should play with the live cd verisons of linux though. They are alot of fun. Try all three of the ones listed here. DSL, Puppy, and Knoppix.

I'm suprised no one has yet to mention PHLAK. ~ chuckles ~

Those who know use PHLAK
Those who don't...we don't recommend it for regular users.

Thanks for the info on PHLAK. Downloading now to try it out. I'm an oldtime Slackware user but I love distro's that can be run off CD or USB sticks.

Uh, I have a ThinkPad, running Mepis (SimplyMepis, to be exact)

It runds as a live CD, or can be installed. I chose to install, and it
had no trouble whatsoever automatically detecting, configuring and
letting me use every device on it. Including the 56K modem.

Funny thing is, I didn't see anyone mention it anywhere. And it just works.
Without any help. Either way.

USB? it likes those little sticks. Wireless? Plug one in.
Webcam? Got one of those too. (Veo Stingray)

Try a bite of THAT pie!