How to make a GNU/Linux frugal installation with copy-to-R.A.M. mode system: PuppyLinux

Revision [11626]

This is an old revision of InstallationFrugal made by coolpup on 2010-12-23 09:47:19.

A frugal installation is performed by extracting the contents of the container ISO or ZIP file to any FAT32, NTFS or EXT4 formatted partition.

Fastest file-system for flash memory drives: EXT4 (requires latest e2fsprogs)

When a frugal installation is desired it is convenient to have a LiveDVD because it can be used to install the required boot loader, e.g. as shown here. Instructions are also provided below for situations when not using an optical disc drive.

First acquire the container file (either an ISO or ZIP file) of the desired Puppy Linux, e.g. Fluppy, Puppy 5 or Wary.

If the target partition or drive contains any files copy them elsewhere if required, because they will be destroyed when formatting.

If, after performing the installation processes given below, the computer does not boot into Puppy Linux from the U.S.B. flash drive follow the instructions in Appendices 1 and 3 at LiveDVD.

Installation to an U.S.B. flash (or external) drive

with Syslinux or GRUBforDOS as boot-loader

From within Puppy Linux

see Appendices 1-3 below

From within Microsoft Windows

Format the drive or partition to FAT32

Download and extract syslinux to a folder, e.g. C:\syslinux

Then go to directory C:\syslinux\win32\ by entering into the command-line interface:
```
cd C:\syslinux\win32\
```

Then run the syslinux command to make the drive bootable (where X: is the drive letter for the target drive or partition)
```
syslinux.exe -m -a X:
```

Open the Puppy ISO (or ZIP) file to view its contents, using e.g. 7-zip, (it is important that the original file names be kept)

Copy to the U.S.B. flash drive the files: vmlinuz, initrd.gz, and all those with the extensions .sfs, and .cfg

Rename isolinux.cfg to syslinux.cfg

Edit syslinux.cfg in a text editor: change "pmedia=cd" to "pmedia=usbflash"

Reboot computer with U.S.B. flash drive connected

Installation to any Microsoft Windows partition and using GRUBforDOS" as boot-loader=== Installing the boot-loader to the internal hard disk drive (where Microsoft Windows resides) http://www.icpug.org.uk/national/linnwin/step1-xp.htm http://puppy.b0x.me/lin-n-win Installing the boot-loader to an external drive http://shino.pos.to/linux/lupq/puppydualboot.html ==={{color text="References" c="black"}}=== http://www.murga-linux.com/puppy/viewtopic.php?t=46129 http://www.puppylinux.org/main/index.php?file=Manual-English05.txt http://aronzak.wordpress.com/2008/10/07/usb-linux-howto-puppy-41/ http://www.murga-linux.com/puppy/viewtopic.php?t=54826 http://www.pendrivelinux.com/put-lucid-puppy-on-usb-flash-drive-from-windows/#more-4392 (see next reference also) http://murga-linux.com/puppy/viewtopic.php?p=458818#458818 http://www.murga-linux.com/puppy/viewtopic.php?t=54360 ===Appendix 1 [Preparing the U.S.B. device]=== - Download and install recent versions of: [[dosfstools]], [[e2fsprogs]], [[NTFS3G NTFS-3G]], [[tar]], [[grep]], [[parted]] - Determine the correct target device name of the U.S.B. flash memory drive to work on, e.g. sdX: %%probedisk2%% - (Optional) Verify that all existing data is //destroyed// of target partition X: %%dd if=/dev/random of=/dev/sdX && dd if=/dev/zero of=/dev/sdX%% - Zero the first 512 bytes of the boot partition X1 to delete any existing M.B.R. boot code and partition table (disklabel): %%dd if=/dev/zero of=/dev/sdX1 bs=512 count=1%% - Create a new //partition table// (disklabel) on the correct target device,, e.g. using //sdb// as target device: %%parted /dev/sdb mklabel msdos%% - Create new //partition(s)// on the correct target device: //Menu > System > [[GParted]] > Partition > New// - Ensure the correct device is //unmounted//: //Menu > System > GParted > Partition > Unmount// - Create the required file system (//formatting//) on the partition(s) of the correct device: //Menu > System > GParted > Partition > Format to// - Set the //boot flag// on the device: //Menu > System > GParted > Partition > Manage Flags > boot// ===Appendix 2 [Installing Puppy to the U.S.B. device]=== - Click on the Puppy ISO (or ZIP) file to open its contents - Copy to the U.S.B. flash drive the files: //vmlinuz//, //initrd.gz//, and all those with the extensions //.sfs//, and //.cfg// ===Appendix 3 [Installing a boot-loader to the U.S.B. device]=== Use either SYSLINUX or GRUB for DOS (recommended). Using SYSLINUX for FAT32 partitions - Download and install recent version of [[SYSLINUX]] - Install the boot-loader code to the M.B.R. of the target drive X: %%dd if=/usr/lib/syslinux/mbr.bin of=/dev/sdX%% or %%cat /usr/lib/syslinux/mbr.bin > /dev/sdX%% - Install the boot-loader file //ldlinux.sys// to the target partition X1: %%syslinux -i --stupid /dev/sdX1%% - Rename the boot-loader configuration file //isolinux.cfg// to //syslinux.cfg// - Edit //syslinux.cfg// in a text editor: change "pmedia=cd" to "pmedia=usbflash" - Reboot the computer with the U.S.B. flash drive connected Using GRUBforDOS for FAT32, EXT4, and NTFS partitions - Download and install the latest version of [[http://shino.pos.to/linux/puppy/ Grub4DosConfig]] (if necessary) - Install the boot-loader code to the M.B.R. of the target drive X: %%bootlace.com --time-out=0 /dev/sdX%% - Install the boot-loader file //grldr//: %%wget -c --directory-prefix=/mnt/home http://www.smokey01.com/coolpup/grldr%% - The boot-loader configuration file //menu.lst// can be created or updated using [[http://shino.pos.to/linux/puppy/ Grub4DosConfig]]: //Menu > System > Grub4Dos ""

Reboot the computer with the U.S.B. flash drive connected

PuppyLinux : InstallationFrugal

Revision [11626]

Installation to an U.S.B. flash (or external) drive