Installing linux without a USB or CD
Installing linux without a USB or CD
You can set up Linux directly on your new laptop without using the old USB drives.
I'm considering a few options for setting up Linux. One idea is to transfer your laptop's storage to the friend's computer by connecting it. (If it's a regular drive, you might fit it inside the machine itself.) I recall trying something similar before, but I'm not quite sure of the details. I should double-check which drive is which at all times, just in case. (It might not work at all) I'm not sure if this is the right path, but here are some thoughts:
1. **Partition Approach** – Set up a small FAT32 partition on your laptop's disk (ext4 could also work, I'm not sure). Download a Linux ISO and format it there. You'd need to copy all files into the new partition. If your BIOS/UEFI supports booting from that drive, try it. You could also use tools like Balena Etcher for advanced selection.
2. **Grub Installation** – If your system won't boot from the ISO, try installing GRUB on the drive. This method sometimes works, especially if your computer doesn't boot from USB for some reason. I've managed to do this on an old machine before, though I don't remember the exact steps.
3. **Transfer Complete OS** – You could move an existing Linux distribution from another device to your drive. Be mindful that some files might not transfer perfectly.
4. **Purchase a USB Drive** – A basic USB stick is often more affordable than spending time on these methods. It might not give you the result you're after.
5. **Old Computer Solutions** – If your hardware is extremely outdated, you might be able to boot from a CD or floppy using tools like Plop Boot Manager or GRUB. I once had to do this on a very old system and still managed.
Remember, I'm just brainstorming ideas—please confirm if you're comfortable with each step.
Link the two machines using either Ethernet or Bluetooth, then set up installation from one to the other.
Purchase a fresh USB drive and have someone convert the ISO file onto it. Does your facility offer laptops for temporary use?
You can download the OS file from a trusted source and transfer it to your device via Bluetooth. Then, follow the on-screen instructions to install it.