How to install new OS--IBM X40?

[imported_spinoza]

I'm about to buy an IBM X40, but it doesn't have an optical drive. I'd rather not pay $200+ for a docking station, so I'm wondering how I can get around the lack of an optical drive. For most software, I can perform a network install (I have a home server set up, so this won't be a problem). However, I'd like to install Linux on this machine. How can it be done? Thank you.

 

[phisrow]

There are two basic ways: USB and PXE.

A machine that new will almost certainly boot from a USB CDROM drive. Pretty much any one will do. Just plug in, possibly fiddle with the BIOS, and go.

If that doesn't work, or if you just like doing things the unusual way, you can PXE boot from an appropriately configured server and go from there. That is considerably more intricate; but google will have some tidbits on the subject.

 

[fbrdphreak]

An X40 can boot from just about any USB device - flash drive, external HDD, CD-ROM, Floppy, etc. I'm sure you can setup a Linux distro by booting from a flash drive.

Head over to http://forum.thinkpads.com as well

 

[Golgatha]

You could also just get an IDE to USB cable adapter and use your desktop's CD-ROM temporarily to do the original install.