How do i install an OS via a network card?

[alchemist]

I just bought a laptop...a Toshiba 3480....its so small there is no cd or floppy drive...but i have a network card.....any thoughts on how to install an operating system via a network card? Or any thoughts on how to install the network card itself without any cdrom or floppy drive attatched, or does the computer recongize them in the bios?

 

[redbeard1]

You might try to pull the hard drive, find a laptop drive to IDE adapter, prep the drive to boot win98, and put the OS installation files on the hard drive.

Are there any external drives available for that? Without some sort of device to load drivers, it is going to be tough to do any kind of OS update.

 

[tjaisv]

You can do an over-the-network OS installation. Any MS certified people here should know how to do this.

 

[Tsaico]

I love it, happens a lot to me... post a question and people tell you it can be done, but don't post how to do it...
Try this...
First you will need to download a bootdisk that have your drivers for the network card. (in case you don't have any, some can be found here. Then you connect to the server and use its CD-ROM to copy the i386 folder (2k/NT) or the win98 folder to the lappy HD. Reboot with no network connection and start installing from there...
This is especially good for win95/98 rigs so you won't have to insert that darn cd...
Good luck
Ed

 

[Tsaico]

Sorry, just wen tback and re-read the problem, didn't remember the part where you do not have a floppy... I concur with the above statement of you need either adapter or external floppy...