On Saturday 26 January 2008 07:54:36 am Leo Mauler wrote:
Mandriva One - booted to level 3.
Unfortunately, Debian based systems don't have an optional text mode except for rescue mode, which doesn't do networking. You can boot to rescue then start services you need though, that's another option.
I'd remaster a DSL or Puppy linux to what you think you need.