Can you do a basic install with / ( including /root, and /usr ) on /dev/sda1 (approx 6 to 8 gigabytes)? *IMPORTANT*... include sshd as part of the basic install, and have it start automatically at boot. - "dd" the / partition to a USB key. Assuming the key is mounted as /media/key dd -bs=1M -if=/dev/sda1 -of=/media/key/imagefile To copy the partition back - boot the machine to be installed, using any linux install ISO or USB key, then insert the USB key and "dd" the other way... dd -bs=1M -if=/media/key/imagefile -of=/dev/sda1 Final customization - remove the linux boot ISO/key and the data key and reboot the machine - assuming sshd works, you can now do scripted final customization over the net, including running apt-get for updates, and copying user home dirs, etc, etc. -- Walter Dnes <waltdnes@waltdnes.org>