Can a laptop be used?

Question

linux

I have an old Acer laptop with an unknown breakdown. Most likely the video card is broken - there is no image and connecting an external monitor did not help. But in principle, the laptop, although old, is intact.
I have a Wi-Fi router, some twisted pair, and another laptop. Is it possible to install some Linux without a graphical interface over the network, and with the help of the installed system, "ring" the components of the laptop and find a breakdown? Or check it without installing a system on it (the HDD was used for other needs, but you can find a clean one)? And in the end, somehow use it (as a "pumping" of torrents, or a small server), without a graphical interface, working with it only over the network from other computers.
What can you advise, suggest if someone had a similar experience,

Answer 1

Yes, of course, you need to find a live cd image with ssh server enabled. You can find your laptop's IP address through a router or simply by scanning the subnet and connect. Thus, you can install linux on hdd, or use flash drives from a laptop as is. It is very convenient to install archlinux like this, for example.

Answer 2

If the laptop starts, the bios passes, then you can try.
Install the system and register IP on another machine. Put the disk in the laptop. Note that udev will most likely give the network card a new name.