Just so there's no confusion, my laptop isn't a dell, but here's what I could find. By the way, to narrow down results, try going to google/linux instead of just google. http://weblog/cemper.com/x.php?7=www.koeneglich.de/dell_8600.html tells wht works and how from this person's view but does not mention floppy; may be other links there. If you go to google/linux and put in dell inspiron 8600 you get some entries; also some if you add the word floppy or install floppy. I didn't read all those; they weren't about slackware install but might give you some clues. Btw, several entries seemed to mention a usb floppy; do you know what kind of floppy you have? hth. -- Cheryl "Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."
