Hi. the lappy has a corrupt xp but no floppy or cd drive. If i removed the HDD and placed it in an external caddy could i install PCLOS as external then return it to its home. Would that work? I am trying to breath a bit of life into this machine... cheers

Maybe. Might be a bit of playing. Less trouble might be to make a bootable flash and transfer the system that way if you can boot to usb. "Best Practices", Event viewer, host file, perfmon, antivirus, anti-spyware, Live CD's, backups, are in my top 10

cant boot from usb! so maybe worth a try.... Ive been told with knoppix i could boot from my network. so i will try that first , waiting for it to be delivered and i will see. thanks.

"waiting for it to be delivered" You can't download it & burn to a CD? "If my answers frighten you then you should cease asking scary questions" - Jules Winnfield (Samuel L. Jackson) in Pulp Fiction

Arrived today.... ?I could of course download and burn... but my connection is poor 434kbs Down and 81 up! and for a couple of yoyo's(euros) Its delivered in a few days. It appears that the process is beyond me.... so I will try removing the disc( when the manual arrives) and try the install to usb. live and learn....

Knoppix is the most easy way to boot PXE. Boot a system to Knoppix. Start Knoppix terminal server. It will ask some questions. Add in nic drivers if you know what the laptop has. Wait a few moments and it should finish. Use crossover cable or (patch cable with hub/switch/router) to laptop. Boot laptop with first boot device pxe or with F Key option. It should at least start to boot. Also don't start the terminal server with NX or other servers, just yet. "Best Practices", Event viewer, host file, perfmon, antivirus, anti-spyware, Live CD's, backups, are in my top 10

can i use the live cd? or do i have to install. and where is the terminal server? had a look but couldnt see it .... excuse my ignorance and thanks for your help and encouragement.