Installing OS through parallel port

Considering the slow data transfer speed over the parallel port, you will be a lot farther ahead if you take the drive out.

Mount the drive as a slave on a desktop system.
Set up or format the drive as needed.
Make the drive bootable.
Caution:If you do this on an XP box, W9X will not be able to use the recycle bin.
You need to delete the System volume information folder. (from DOS if needed) In order to use the drive with W9X after being in an XP system.

Then, create a folder (C:\Win98) and copy the install CD to that folder.

Boot up the laptop,
Change to the folder with the CD copied to it,
Run setup.

I even copy over any drivers or downloaded software and updates needed for the system when I set one up.

Chas
Chas

You can use laplink application.
What you need are the following:

1. Laplink software (ver.5 or lower)
2. Laplink cable (this can be purchased on any hardware computer shops)

I have used it before and it worked. I am sure this will help you.

if you have an access to a network you could use the netuse method on a networked computer.First creat two partition on the laptop. The 2nd partition will be just enough for the OS installation files while the remaining will be the frst partition wherein you will install the OS.

Then create a bootup disk with the nic driver and use the netuse command to connect to the shared file in the other computer. Youcould use a static IP address and use a cross cable to this effect then copy the OS installation files.
Once you have the installation files you could boot up the laptop and access the install command and you will be able to install the OS.

Being in the same situation myself (a Toshiba P100)I recommend acquiring what I understand is called a "piggy-back" CD-ROM attachment.
With this device you can install not just the OS, but any other applications also directly from the CD-ROM.