Autoconfigure devices @ Startup!? (Newbie)

Forum: HD Install
Topic: Autoconfigure devices @ Startup!? (Newbie)
started by: blacker

Posted by blacker on Sep. 28 2004,12:32

Hi All,

First of all - I'm new to Linux and DSL - I was able to make a HD install on a 512MByte M-Systems IDOC (FLASH HDD) together with an Advantech PCM board, which works perfectly! SO great work on the DSL !!!!

My questions is :

1) Is the DSL HD distribution able to save it's config regarding CDROMS, HD, mouse etc. to save some startup time ?

2) Icons on the desktop - where are those saved ? Howto create some new ?

Thanks in advanced for your help.
Rgds
Brian

Posted by cbagger01 on Sep. 28 2004,12:37

1) Yes. Read the instructions and search the forums for the backup and restore system. Specifically, search for the keyword "filetool.sh" , search all forums, search from the beginning or newer.

2) The icons and the icon link files are saved in the hidden directory named /home/dsl/.xtdesktop

Open up a few *.lnk files and you should be able to figure out the syntax so you can make new ones for yourself.

Posted by henk1955 on Sep. 28 2004,12:41

did you do a hd-install or a frugal, poorman´s install

Posted by blacker on Sep. 28 2004,12:59

Thanks for the answer - I will do some searches.

I did a HD-Install.

Rgds
Brian

Posted by henk1955 on Sep. 28 2004,13:14

are you sure?
flash memory has a limited number of write cycles.
i have here a < link > that tells you why you should prefer a frugal install.

Posted by blacker on Sep. 28 2004,14:02

Thanks for your concern but the M-Systems FLASH iDOC has the "whereleveling" feature build-in to movearound the data. So if a write 10Mbyte/day it would last 100 years or so.

Posted by cbagger01 on Sep. 28 2004,16:15

Don't think in terms of MB saved / day.

Instead, think of data that is written and then overwritten many times.

For example, your swap file / swap partition could overwrite itself doing several GB of writing in less than an hour if you are running many programs at the same time or if you are running a few large programs that require lots of ram.

Also, your web browser cache can do several hundred MB of overwrites in a day of heavy web browsing.

Frugal is the best choice. Hard drive install with no swap partition is better. Hard drive with no swap partition and no web browser cache is also an improvement.

But an hd install is OK if you accept the risks and don't mind replacing your device when it dies.