Another solution is to boot the machine via CD using a knoppix CD or knoppix-based ham distribution like Harv's Hamshack. You can have it automatically mount a home directory off a usb key or off a file on the windows disk. That way you get linux, and zero or a very minimal footprint on the laptop - as well as persistence of any config, logs etc. This works with desktop machines as well - as long as you can boot them from a CD.
73 de Brett VK2TMG
