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

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This is an old revision of InstallationFrugal made by coolpup on 2013-04-17 15:31:01.

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How to manually make a frugal Puppy Linux installation

A frugal Puppy installation is performed by extracting the contents of the container file (either ISO or ZIP) to normally one, i.e. the same, directory. Let that desired partition be known as the target partition since one is aiming to install to it. That partition may be located on:

either an external device, e.g. a flash memory drive (often erroneously referred to as a memory stick)

or, an internal device, usually a hard disk drive (H.D.D.)

Therefore, the target device is the device which contains the partition that one aims to install to, such as an external flash memory drive or an internal hard disk drive. The minimum, nominal storage capacity for a flash memory drive is 256MB.

WARNING: If the target partition contains any important files make a minimum of two copies of important files, where each copy is located on a separate partition on a separate device, because they will be destroyed whenever the target partition is formatted.

IMPORTANT: determine the correct device name (sdX) of the target device to work on, via the command-line interface:

lsblk

The following procedure assumes that one is running Puppy Linux. However, the same procedure can be followed within any Linux distribution. If one wishes to use Microsoft Windows go to Appendix 1 below.

Step 1 - PARTITIONING

this step is optional, i.e. only proceed if one does not wish to keep the existing partition structure on the target drive

install the latest available versions of: bzip2, grep, parted, tar

un-mount the target device X:
```
umount /dev/sdX
```

create a partition table (disklabel) on the target device X (WARNING - access to all existing files on the target device will be lost):
```
/usr/sbin/parted 
/dev/sdX mklabel gpt && /usr/sbin/parted -l
```

create a partition (partitioning) on the target device X (where set 1 defines partition 1 of device X to be the boot partition; and in this example just one partition is created):

/usr/sbin/parted -a opt /dev/sdX mkpart primary ext4 8 100% set 1 boot on && /usr/sbin/parted /dev/sdX disk_set pmbr_boot on && /usr/sbin/parted /dev/sdX set 1 legacy_boot on print

Step 2 - FORMATTING

this step is optional, i.e.only proceed if one does not wish to keep the existing file-system structure on the target drive

create a file-system (formatting) on the partition(s) of the target device X (WARNING - all data on the target partition will be over-written (destroyed)):

for EXT4 file-system creation {requires a recent version of e2fsprogs}:

/sbin/mkfs.ext4 
-b 4096 -m 0 -L PUPPY -O extents,uninit_bg,dir_index,filetype,has_journal,sparse_super -E stride=4,stripe-width=256 /dev/sdXY

for FAT16 file-system creation {requires a recent version of dosfstools}:
```
mkdosfs -v -n PUPPY -F 16 /dev/sdXY
```

Step 3 - BOOT-LOADER INSTALLATION

install, to one's actual operating system in use, a recent version of the boot-loader SYSLINUX

N.B. installing this package merely makes available the SYSLINUX files for one's use; it does not replace any of the existing boot-loader files which one's actual operating system makes use of for booting (starting-up) itself

rename any existing directory at /dev/sdXY/boot/syslinux:
```
mv /dev/sdXY/boot/syslinux /dev/sdXY boot/syslinux.old
```

create a new directory at /dev/sdXY/boot/syslinux:
```
cp -afpru /usr/lib/syslinux /dev/sdXY/boot/
```

install the boot code to the target device X:

/bin/dd bs=440 conv=notrunc count=1 if=/usr/lib/syslinux/gptmbr.bin of=/dev/sdX && sync

install the boot configuration file syslinux.cfg (sample file for flash memory drives only) on the target device by copying it to /boot/syslinux (this file will need editing if more than one Puppy version has been installed; the pkeys parameter will need to be configured for one's geographical location)

install the boot system file ldlinux.sys to the target partition directory sdXY/boot:

for EXT4 file-systems, ensuring that it is mounted first:

/bin/mount /dev/sdXY /mnt/sdXY && /bin/mkdir -p /mnt/sdXY/boot && /sbin/extlinux -i --stupid /mnt/sdXY/boot

for FAT file-systems:

/bin/mkdir -p /mnt/sdXY/boot && /usr/bin/syslinux -i -s /dev/sdXY/boot

Step 4 - SYSTEM INSTALLATION

mount the target device

mount the Puppy ISO (or ZIP) file by clicking on it

copy from the ISO (or ZIP) directory to the target device either all the files, or, just these essential ones: vmlinuz, initrd.gz, and all those with the extension .sfs (if more than one Puppy version is to be installed ensure that they are each contained within their own directory)

follow the additional instructions in Appendix 3 at LiveDVD

re-boot the computer with the flash memory device connected

when shutting down the system there may be the option to create a personal storage (pupsave) file which must be chosen if personal settings and configuration are to be saved

Appendix 1 - Installation to any external device, from within Microsoft Windows

format the drive or partition to FAT32

download and extract the latest syslinux

.zip file to the C drive, i.e. C:\syslinux

go to directory C:\syslinux\win32\:
```
cd C:\syslinux\win32\
```

with administrator privileges run the syslinux command to make the target 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 target device the files: vmlinuz, initrd.gz, and all those with the extensions .sfs

download this sample boot-loader configuration file syslinux.cfg (for flash memory drives only} and place it on the target device

re-boot the computer with the flash memory device connected

Appendix 2 - 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

When making an installation to an internal H.D.D. with an existing
operating system, one has the option to either allow that operating
system to remain or be removed. Only remove the existing operating
system if the computer is more than 3 years old since most computer
manufacturers cease to provide
new B.I.O.S. versions after that time. If the intention is to remove the
existing operating system, regardless of computer age, then ensure to
check for and install any B.I.O.S. updates first.

If the Puppy files are to be appended, by making a frugal installation
only of Puppy, then this would involve one of the following:

either making a new partition for Puppy (not recommended)

or, using an existing partition for Puppy (recommended)

One can place a frugal installation within a pre-existing Windows
installation. The save file, although itself is comprised of a Linux
file-system, may reside on a F.A.T. or N.T.F.S. partition; which is why a
frugal installation is also called a "co-exist"
installation. A full hard disk drive installation on a F.A.T. partition
is not possible because F.A.T. partitions do not support Linux symbolic
links.

There is an option to install from within Microsoft Windows using the
relevant file from here: http://www.mediafire.com/?5ah0d0rzcz5cc

Appendix 3 - How to run Puppy Linux from a flash memory drive on any computer already running

QEMUpuppy

Appendix 4 - Absent internal H.D.D.

older Puppy versions will not boot from an external flash memory drive

if the internal H.D.D. has been removed:

Posted on 23 Apr 2011, 22:54 by perthie
USB Install Issue?
I notice that you still haven't commented on this issue. A machine 
missing an internal hard drive can no longer be booted from a flash 
drive. The new search procedure fails to find the sfs file on the flash 
drive.
Posted on 24 Apr 2011, 8:20 by BarryK
Re no boot usb
I have written it down in my to-do list.

http://bkhome.org/blog/?viewDetailed=02231

Appendix 5 - Using GRUBforDOS bootloader for all common file-systems

install the latest available version of helper program Grub4DosConfig

install the boot code to the M.B.R. of the target device X:

bootlace.com --time-out=0 /dev/sdX

install the boot system file

grldr by placing it on the target device

install the boot configuration file menu.lst, or update an existing one, by using Grub4DosConfig: Menu > System > Grub4Dos

follow the additional instructions in Appendix 3 at LiveDVD

PuppyLinux : InstallationFrugal