[sf-lug] how to install linux on laptop with no cd drive?

[Asheesh Laroia]

Excerpts from Asheesh Laroia's message of Sun Jul 08 14:39:46 -0400 2012:
> Excerpts from Michael Shiloh's message of Sun Jul 08 14:24:45 -0400 2012:
> > i have an older laptop that has no cd drive and it will not boot from an 
> > external drive (thumbdrive or external cdrom).
> > 
> > how can i install linux on it?
> > 
> > i know that wubi will allow me to test linux but i want install 
> > completely over windows.
> 
> Reasonable way: netboot. Your laptop's Ethernet card might support it.
> 
> In the realm of crazy things, which I'd love to hear more about if
> you try (should be totally harmless if they don't work):
> 
> * http://www.goodbye-windows.com/

A slightly different tool:

http://goodbye-microsoft.com/

That's my current recommendation, actually. It's win32-loader.exe, and is
even part of the Debian mirrors. A fan of goodbye-microsoft.com makes this
remark, which I pass along without any review:

<OdyX> paulproteus: fwiw, goodbye-windows is severely outdated.

Also if you want to go non-crazy, there are these reasonable-ish-looking
options:

* http://ubuntuguide.net/how-to-install-windows-7-from-ubuntu-without-burnning-a-disc

* https://help.ubuntu.com/community/SmartBootManager (requires a floppy drive)

But really, http://goodbye-microsoft.com/ and win32-loader.exe looks great.

-- Asheesh.