Need dial-up friendly install on USB stick

I'm currently a Windows user who's trying to escape.

I have an unusual batch of constraints:
1. It must reside *completely* on a USB stick and be able to
read/write an existing NTFS hard drive.
2. It must be able to connect thru a USB modem, USROBOTICS USR5637.
a. It will be used on a desktop ( *NO* high speed internet
ever _available_ ) and on a laptop (WIFI equipped) which
will often need dial-up.

I've experimented with "live editions" to determine hardware
functionality. As a permanent solution - DOA!

Using YUMI-0.0.2.5 I've tried:
debian-live-6.0.1-i386-lxde-desktop.iso
ubuntu-10.10-desktop-i386.iso
lupu-525.iso
multicore_3.7.1.iso
Using Unetbootin I tried:
linuxmint-11-gnome-cd-nocodecs-32bit.iso

All but Multicore had lsusb available and recognized the USB modem.
Only Puppy had a dialer - it could connect but repeatedly dropped
carrier for unknown cause.
Mint and Multicore recognized the laptop had WIFI capability - a
protected WIFI system is nearby.

I've roamed the web for a couple of months (no longer sure Google is
really a friend ;) I was originally referred to Ubuntu but I've come
to think is fundamentally I need Debian style repository , much else
is negotiable.




To UNSUBSCRIBE, email to debian-user-REQUEST@lists.debian.org
with a subject of "unsubscribe". Trouble? Contact listmaster@lists.debian.org
Archive: http://lists.debian.org/4E4E5A15.5020903@pcnetinc.com