Might be of interest: http://www.freedos.org/
yeah but the 486 box doesn't have a disk drive.
Then put one in it? You could also just put that drive you already have back in it and flatline it. It's not like you're bound to that one install or anything.
flatline? keep in mind I can't get into dos on the 486, and I'm not sure how to install a CD drive in it, it has a PATA card but don't you need to have a controller card too as well as change a bunch of configs in dos?