Which File to download???

Forum: User Feedback
Topic: Which File to download???
started by: John_C

Posted by John_C on April 14 2005,01:54

OK.. I'm all ready to try DSL.

Problem: Which iso file should I download -- there are 3 or 4 on each mirror site and nowhere on the DSL website can I find which one I need. This is for a CD install.

I may not be all that bright sometimes

but I have read through just about everything. The only hint I've found is that the md5 signature on the Download Page is the same for the:
dsl-1.0.iso file.

Sure wish someone would add a "quick" quide to picking the right file for your needs. It is very confusing.

Posted by cbagger01 on April 14 2005,04:50

Newer computer = dsl1.0.iso

Older computer = dsl1.0 syslinux

Run DSL from inside MSWindows using a virtual PC window called "QEMU" = dsl embedded 1.0

Posted by Lodovik on April 16 2005,16:59

Is there a difference between iso and syslinux other than in the booting process? I tried both and, on my computer (P4 2.4, Asus P4P800) only the syslinux boots properly. Do I miss some functionnality (drivers, support for some devices, etc...) with the syslinux? Should I use the iso? I boot my DSl CD on a lot of different computers so I guessed that the syslinux was more compatible with older hardware, as you said. Does it means that newer hardware is less well supported?

Posted by roberts on April 16 2005,17:36

The syslinux version has the boot emulation of a single floppy. Therefore there are less boot time drives in the syslinux version must all fit within a single floppy sized file. The reason Knoppix and the other derivates went with isolinux, is that there is no "single floppy" size limitation. The isolinux version has many more drivers to support booting from newer computers.

So why do we have both? On some older computers the BIOS requires that emulated floppy image be there or it won't boot. That is why, we say, if you cannot boot from the isolinux version try the syslinux version. Or if you have an older computer it is probably best to start with the syslinux version.

Posted by John_C on April 16 2005,21:47

There really does need to be a LIST of Files available on the Download Page and/or a readme describing what each file is for... in the mirror directories.

I've learned something from the replies, but not nearly enough.
I mean, like really, how would someone who has never tried DSL know what to do to get started?

Maybe I'm not just that smart.