iB::Topic::Teacher new to DSL

	Damn Small Linux :: Damn Small Linux Board The DSL Forums

» Welcome Guest
[ Log In :: Register ]

Damn Small Linux Board » Damn Small Linux » Laptops » Teacher new to DSL

		Mini-ITX Boards Sale, Fanless BareBones Mini-ITX, Bootable 1G DSL USBs, 533MHz Fanless PC <-- SALE $200 each!
		Get The Official Damn Small Linux Book. DSL Market , Great VPS hosting provided by Tektonic

Pages: (3) </ [1] 2 3 >/

[ Track this topic :: Email this topic :: Print this topic ]

Topic: Teacher new to DSL

< Next Oldest | Next Newest >

groeswenphil Offline

Group: Members
Posts: 12
Joined: Oct. 2005

Posted: July 16 2007,10:45

Hi,
I'm a schoolteacher working in a small school in South Wales.
We have a couple of old laptops gathering dust.
Compaq Armada 1590DT

Compaq Armada 1590DT
Processor: Pentium (166 MHz)
RAM: 80 Mb
HDD: 4.3 Gb
built in floppy
built in CD-ROM reader
PCMCIA modem
Ethernet via docking station

They currently run Windows 95 and are very unstable.
I'm considering wiping the drives and installing DSL.

2 queries.

1) Their drives are currently partitioned.
How do I re-format the drives to one partition?
2) Does DSL dowwnload as a complete installation package....like Ubuntu, or do you need a higher level of skill to install it?

Thanks,
Phil

WDef

Group: Members
Posts: 798
Joined: Sep. 2005

Posted: July 16 2007,10:57

Before doing anything else first try booting dsl off the cd.

DSL is first and foremost a livecd, which means you can run it off the cd, without installing.

First check that is boots without hassle and looks ok, then come back to us for more advice - look at the wiki and search the forums also. DSL takes a little work at first if you're new to linux, and even if you aren't. But it will most likely run better on an old laptop than anything else will.

If you want to install subsequently your best bet is a "frugal" install.

curaga

Group: Members
Posts: 2163
Joined: Feb. 2007

Posted: July 16 2007,13:43

for messing with partitions, use cfdisk

DSL is a complete pack, can be installed from the live cd..

--------------
There's no such thing as life. Those mean little jocks invented it ;)
-
Windows is not a virus. A virus does something!

groeswenphil Offline

Group: Members
Posts: 12
Joined: Oct. 2005

Posted: July 16 2007,17:08

I'm not finding any obvious links to the live cd download.
Also, if it is anything like Ubuntu then you have to burn the cd in a certain way.

Help !

Phil

yodelaye

Group: Members
Posts: 16
Joined: Feb. 2007

Posted: July 16 2007,17:42

the mirror list is available here :
mirror list

the up to date iso is dsl-3.4.iso available directly here
http://ftp.belnet.be/packages/damnsmalllinux/current/

to know how to burn a cd or find another way to get and boot dsl, have a look to the getting started with DSL area in the wiki :
http://www.damnsmalllinux.org/wiki/index.php/Main_Page

enjoy

12 replies since July 16 2007,10:45

< Next Oldest | Next Newest >

[ Track this topic :: Email this topic :: Print this topic ]

Pages: (3) </ [1] 2 3 >/

Damn Small Linux Board » Damn Small Linux » Laptops » Teacher new to DSL