I have a desktop PC with XP Pro. I have a mini-pc with no OS, no CD-Rom & no floppy. Id like to know if its possible to network my desktop with the mini-pc, so I can use to CD-Rom to install software. No other functions (i.e. file sharing, shared internet connections, etc.) are desired.

Explain what your 'mini-pc' is, please.? If it is a laptop and it is umphy enough to run programs then there are usually some ways to get programs in there. If it is a Pocket PC or a palm pilot then they usually have their own interfaces. If it is a word processor box then they usually only run proprietary programs.

The mini-pc is a very small desktop PC, but normally built with no CD-Rom or floppy to keep it compact; mine has no CD-Rom or floppy. It functions fully as a desktop PC, but is much smaller and lighter. Some specs: Front Side Bus 100/133 MHz, 900 MHz, 60 GB HD,1*10/100Mbps LAN, 512 MB RAM,3 USB ports, 3 LAN ports, Award BIOS.

Ah. You mean a book PC.? Is that what they are called. I have never gotten to do anything with one. They look neat. I think you might have to take the HD out and slave it into another machine to load OS onto it. Without a floppy or CD you have no inputs except through a network connection. You should be able to get it networked and then map a network drive to use for inputs. Looks like a real project.

Yea, aka as book PCs. I thought about taking the hd out, connecting it to the desktop, loading, then taking it out and putting it back in the book PC. Possible problems with different motherboards worries me, just slightly. I also thought about taking the CD-Rom out of my desktop, and temporarily connecting it to the book PC, load the OS, then taking it out. Only concern there is will it recognize the CD-Rom immediately or will I need drivers, then if I do Im right back where I started. Thanks for your help.

It would depend on whether the MB / bios will allow you to boot to the CD. If you could also attach a floppy drive to it temporarilly it might help with configuring the HD. I don't know what options there are with the box. If you are doing all that it would be just easier to plug the HD into your regular desktop. I don't think there should be any problems with the ?MotherBoard? concerning the HD. You probably just need to get the HD partitioned and to be sure you set the HD boot sector as active and get it formatted. This is sometimes easier if you just use it in the DeskTop PC as the ONLY drive. Then copy the Win9x folder off of your CD to the HD (if that is what you are planning) and you should be able to install from there.