Okay, so here's my two questions.

1. On my laptop, with 800 mb hd, 16 mb ram, and a (probably) less then 100 mhz cpu, what operating systems can i run efficiently that have a package management tool such as apt-get.

(it makes things easier for me as i want to install asterik with minimal pain, and maybe set it up as a small server)

2. Because the laptop only boots from floppy (no option to change it in the bios) could someone point me to a floppy loader that will make the laptop boot to the cd.

much thanks to anyone that can help

Go with Debian. http://www.debian.org/releases/stabl...en#floppy-boot

Or try Damn Small linux, but I've never done a floppy install before...

Isn't there an easier way, just a floppy that directs the computer to the cd drive.

If I have to do the floppy install method, should i prepare to use a shitload of floppy's?

yeah you make a bootdisk or you can do a network install, in this you would need another disk for the network drivers for your wireless / NIC card. No you shouldnt need a shitload, you will only need 1 bootdisk that essentially becomes a bootload, to search for your Cd devices and boot from it. I believe what floopy image you use is dependant on which distro your going to install, but Im sure theres a generic boot disk out there somewhere. A simple google search for "linux boot cd from floppy %distro%' will probably have what you're looking for on the first page or two.

with the hw specs you've got, Youll want to start off with a small base system and like you said, apt-get the core packages you're going to want. DSL (damn small linux) is a 50meg mini desktop environment, after you do a hard drive install its a traditional debian desktop.
www . damnsmalllinux . org

Hope it helps

The floppies can point to the net as john said, but you might need a floppy with the NIC drive (also as john said). Everything else gets pulled off the net.

oh hey just thought about this too, do you have a network, or is your laptop isolated? if not you can mount the CD in another computer (preferably linux) and have the floppy boot from the remote CdRom drive. I guess that would be a last resort if your CDROM on the laptop just wont install and you have the network resources. But thats a thought too.. instead of DLing from the net do a local network install..still need your nic drivers though.

man, Knoppix has this really cool kernel parameter called bootfrom... it allows you to use that CD and boot from an ISO, load the iso and boot it instead of knoppix, as if that were the CD you put in. Im trying to find something to that effect for a floppy disk

found it. here comes the URL after my 5th post.

do me a favor, tell me if it works so I can use it when i get a floppy drive for my laptop . lol

dsl seems perfect, especially since it's debian and i know the apt-get pm.

as for the floppy problem, i've found a solution. On the ubuntu cd there is a sbm.bin file (smart boot manager) that does exactly what i need it to do.

Now im just wondering what suggestions people have as to what i can do with this old laptop.

So far I'm thinking of setting it up as a file server for my network (although i don't know where to start) and to use it to mess around with asterisk.

any other ideas?

hehe, that sbm is the same link. Ummm got wireless?
I wouldnt go witha fileserver, or any type of server, actually .. not if its going to be wireless

Ethernet actually, this thing is old old old.

I'll probably stick it in a corner with my router, so it'll always be hooked up.

do you have ICQ or something? We can talk about it in depth, since its no longer really a valid thread, just personal preference. my #'s are my ICQ if you do

do edit buddies / add buddy , contact 20613486 alias john20613486

how could i punch it into gaim to contact you?