How do I install through LAN?

[Boo]

looks bad.
can your network port PXE boot (or bootp)?
do you have a floppy drive?

I think the best option would be to boot off a linux boot floppy that could give you boot access off a USB storage device.
the usb storage device (thumb drive) should have a copy of linux mint on it, and will hopefully boot.
this is like the old days when you used a boot floppy to access the cdrom because it could not be booted off.
well not all that long ago.

Boo

[DrHu]

The CD/DVD drive is dead, the Windows XP installation is dead and there is no boot from USB option.

http://www.computermechanic.com.au/prod ... _m400.html
http://www.pchub.com/uph/model/0--2416- ... parts.html
http://www.pchub.com/uph/laptop/25-3122 ... Bare-.html
Replace the cd/dvd drive
--even with a USB external cd/dvd drive]

Repair depots..
http://www.helpturk.org/nec/nec-versa-M400-repair.htm
There must be some, in Asia-Pacific region, even factory authorized ones..

Without doing it this way (replace bad parts), it is going to be awkward, since that computer no longer works for you, or can you actually start the windows OS

[DrHu]

Paying $75 to get this piece of crap running? It's not worth that much.
I'll tell you the exact order of things it does:.

I'll tell you the exact order of things it does
Then give it away to someone, who will probably be able to get/borrow, find, share a cdrom or other device (USB) in order to get past the boot error

In that way, for the person you give it to, it will be a repair process
--or if you think it is not worth 75.00 to repair the machine, then simply sell it off for that price..
Ebay, if you are looking for bids, but I would be honest and identify the problem

Now apart from the sequence you have given, the registry error, why do you think the CD is dead or the USB doesn't work

[DataMan]

Time to consider sending it to PC-Heaven (or the nearest re-cycling center).

-DataMan