Installing os system via usb drive?
 

My Dad has a crappy p4 laptop with a dodgy dvd drive, which since he has never used the dvd drive , Has no interest in replacing. Is there any way I could install ubuntu or win 2000 Via the usb drive? or do I just buy him one of these sub 200 netbooks for christmas!

any advice would be great

put virtual clone or any disk emulator on the lappy then make a iso with nero or alchool or any other burning program of any windows disk you want to install then copy the iso on to the usb key. then mount with virtual clone drive! and that should do it np.