Você pode querer dar uma KNOPPIX linux uma tentativa:
Knoppix is a Live Linux CD / Live DVD based on Debian GNU/Linux
Especialmente a opção de inicialização toram
At the boot prompt, type "knoppix toram". Knoppix will load the contents of the CD into ram and run from there. After boot up, the CD can be removed and the cd drive will be available for other uses. Because this will take up a lot of ram, it is recommended for those with at least 1 GB of ram.