Re. http://mail-index.netbsd.org/netbsd-help/2003/03/10/0002.html

Since Peter already answered your questions point-by-point, I thought
that I'd offer just a couple of additional points:

First, you're a little vague about your laptop.  Some are easier than
others.  Lack of built-in ethernet/CD-ROM doesn't necessarily mean
that you can't add it.  Conceivably memory shortages or motherboard
issues could be a problem (e.g., if it is a *really* old laptop,, it
might not have enough memory).

Second, you didn't say anything about your degree of expertise.  I'll
assume that you have been using NetBSD for some time, and generally
know your way around UNIX.  I'll also assume that the unnamed "desktop"
that you mentioned is running a reasonably nice OS.

Also, since you didn't say what type of machine (i386?  Mac?  SPARC?)
you are talking about, I'll just assume that the appropriate NetBSD
port behaves like the i386 port re. installation.


There's a web-page detailing NetBSD and laptop issues.  The URL is:

  http://www.reedmedia.net/misc/netbsd/laptops-and-netbsd.html

(It hasn't been updated since June of 2002.)


As for getting the files onto your laptop, there are a few ways.

One way (if you have a floppy drive) is to use "split" file sets.  This
works by splitting the distribution sets into bite-sized chunks that
can be efficiently packed onto MS-DOS floppies.  The installer then
reconstructs the original archive by catting the split sets together
(prompting you to change floppies when needed).

I assume that these are still supported (dunno if they are still provided).
This is how I first installed NetBSD.  Painfully tedious, but doable.
Avoid if you can.  (^&

Another is to use a serial connection, nullmodem, and SLIP.  Create a
boot-floppy, boot from it, set up a SLIP connection to your laptop, then
do a "network install" that way.  (NetBSD includes SLIP, but not PPP, on
the boot floppy image.)  I've used this once for a machine whose (dying)
CD-ROM would not recognize a CD-R that I burned for it.

A third way is to get a USB or PCMCIA ethernet or CD-ROM, assuming that
your laptop has corresponding interfaces.  I'd favor this way if the
laptop could support it.  (Though beware that especially PCMCIA ethernet
cards may not work, even if your laptop's hardware is fully supported.
Ethernet cards seem to change chipsets frequently and silently, so that
you may have to exchange a card or few before you find one that works.)


-- 
  "I probably don't know what I'm talking about."  --rkr@olib.org