When I bought a used notebook computer off a web based auction site
, it did not include a hard drive. In doing my search for a laptop HD, I found out tips to get the disc drive originally from compact flash memory.
I bought a bootable CF to 2" IDE Adapter. The adapter enables you to try a compact flash card as your primary disk drive.
This adapter connects into the 44-pin connector for most laptop computers. I've noticed that a few notebook connectors use a pin hole in the centre blocked, having the adapter not match. I think you are able to snip over pin or bend it backside to the adapter and it ought to match, but I've not experimented with it myself.
You'll be able to boot on all operating system from a CF cards using such a adapter. I would recommend using Windows 98 as the os. Windows XP makes too many read/write cycles that may shorten living span of a memory card. Windows XP needs around 3 GB to set up. Windows 98 only
uses around 256 MB to set up.
It is possible operate Windows XP as the operating-system. I would upgrade into a microdrive. However keep in mind, setting up Windows XP the standard way, it will get stuck in a endless loop. There's technique to get it to setup the right way, but I've not figured it out yet. I think it is need data files transferred on a usual laptop hard drive.
The top advantages to selecting a CF card as a hard drive is that in case your laptop gets dropped, the memory is more likely to survive the fall than a typical hard disk drive.
The newest mini notebook computers work with a similar setup which is known as Solid State Drive (SSD).
I use this adapter plus a 2 GB card for the laptop. It works very well using Windows 98 also I have added in a Wi-Fi card to get Internet accessibility.