my first working install was Slackware3.5 or4 that was after two failed Redhat and one disastrous at some graphic intensive dist, do not remember what distributon, perhaps suse? (nothing worked as it should). then i got a laptop without cd and did a Debian Netinstall (only way i could thik of to get a decently lagre install without having to use 20-200 floppies)...