I'm considering getting a cheap Toshiba Tecra 8000 laptop. It has no FDD but only a CD-ROM drive.
I'm wondering what kind of chance there is that it will boot from a home burned CD. Would it boot from a CD at all?

If it doesn't what chances are there I could painlessly install Linux on it (I've installed Vector Linux on various old desktops, that's all)?

TIA

I used to have a Tecra 8000 which I ran slackware on it.

It booted to a CD fine, I believe the BIOS is easily accessible which has a lot of hardware addresses documented too.

Thanks,

Tomorrow I should be receiving the laptop. With a bit of luck I 'll report on the installation success shortly afterward. :-)

Cheers

Check for your model here before installing:

http://www.linux-on-laptops.com/

Thanks,
I didn't
as I had already checked it :-D

Well, I downloaded, burned a CD and installed Vector Linux (regular 5.1) on my Tecra yesterday. All without major problems.

Ethernet gave me a bit of trouble which I have solved with more luck than knowledge. For some reason the lappy didn't get its IP address from the router at my home LAN at boot time. I had to do it "by hand". Now (different LAN, same type of router) it went up allright.

The internal winmodem is not working yet as I don't feel any urgency in making it to operate under Linux. I know though that chances are it would.

not sure if this is any help or not

but i have the exact model you're referring to

just a small tidbit that i found useful

if you do need to get into the BIOS in the future, then all you have to do is tap esc.

just thought id add my $0.02

Ace