Need very basic install info


Forum: HD Install
Topic: Need very basic install info
started by: dpeirce

Posted by dpeirce on Sep. 13 2005,04:15
I remember a while back, the DSL site had simple pages listing the different kinds of installs and how to do them. I can't find anything like that now. I can find something like "After I did a frugal, then I...", but what is a "frugal"?

Is there a page somewhere with this kind of basic info on it? I looked on the wiki, faq, and blog pages. I'm particularly needing info on installing DSL on the HD of an ancient laptop which doesn't boot from the CD drive. I have a Dell Latitude LM which simply refuses to die (16 MBram, 750 MB HD, win95).

In faith, Dave
dave@christos.cjb.net
Viva Texas

Posted by Your Fuzzy God on Sep. 13 2005,15:30
Booting Floppies:
< http://damnsmalllinux.org/wiki/index.php/Boot_Floppies >

Frugal Explanation (Covers others as well):
< http://damnsmalllinux.org/cgi-bin....;t=6441 >

Posted by dpeirce on Sep. 13 2005,21:36
Cody: Thanks for the response.

I had found the 'boot floppies' page in the wiki. That's helpful and simple. I think I found the frugal forum link too as I was searching the forums. However, where do I find instructions on what is frugal and how to do it? I found the frugal files on the download page for ibiblio, but I hesitate to download it and use it if I don't have some idea of what's happening. I think what I need is a page for frugal like the one in the wiki on floppy boots. I *think* I remember such a page on the DSL site not too long ago. Is it still available (I wish I had kept a copy then ^_^).

In faith, Dave
dave@christos.cjb.net
Viva Texas

Posted by Your Fuzzy God on Sep. 13 2005,21:59
A hard drive install is like installing a standard OS.  All of the files are copied to your hard drive and you can do with them as you wish.  A frugal install is more like running a liveCD; however, instead of the files being located on a CD, they are located on your hard disk and replaced on reboot.  The latter installation is nice because if you screw something up, chances are you can just reboot and everything will go back to normal.  A frugal install is sort of like re-ghosting your drive everytime you reboot.

Here are some great instructions on a frugal install:
distro.ibiblio.org/pub/linux/distributions/damnsmall/current/pdfdocs/FrugalHowto.pdf

Viva San Antonio!

Posted by dpeirce on Sep. 14 2005,23:34
OK, got the frugal!! ^_^ Thanks.

If I understand correctly, the frugal install is the same as running from the CD except the image is on the HD rather than the CD? Does that allow for installing new software or updating already-installed software? I'm guessing that's what the /opt and mydsl thingies are for?

A review of DSL said it can also be installed directly in a windows partition for dual booting. I already have windows95 installed on my laptop... are there specific instructions for this? I found several posts on the forum but I'm hoping for a summary somewhere so it will be easier to follow the posts. Likewise for a straight HD install. Are there other methods for a floppy/HD combination (no usb or fancy stuff here)?

Sorry for all the questions. But it's hard to follow the forum posts if I don't already know what they are talking about.

In faith, Dave
dave@christos.cjb.net
Viva Sam Marcos

Posted by dpeirce on Sep. 15 2005,04:46
Found the old pages I remembered, the ones with the summary basic info's on them. They are at < http://www.damnsmalllinux.org/talk/node/52. > It's the old DSL Documentation project, which doesn't appear on newer blogs. Think I must have stumbled into it by accident. However...

Looks like they apply *UP TO* DSL version 092 :^(.

Does the info there work for later versions like 1.5? This info is much clearer, and more easy to understand, than looking through the forums getting a piece here and another piece there.

In faith, Dave
dave@christos.cjb.net
Viva Texas

Posted by cbagger01 on Sep. 16 2005,03:31
You can install DSL directly into a Windows95 partition.  It is called a "poormans" install.

1) Boot up Windows95
2) Insert DSL livecd
3) Copy \KNOPPIX\KNOPPIX over to C:\KNOPPIX\KNOPPIX  (Notice the ALL CAPITAL LETTERS).
4) Remove livecd
5) Create DSL boot floppy disk and use it to start up your hdinstall.

Or you can use the livecd to boot up the poorman's but you need to know your Windows 95 partition location.  Usually it is /dev/hda1 but can sometimes be something like /dev/hda2 if your computer has a hidden diagnostics or utility partition at the beginning.  Some Dells and Compaqs have these, for example.

From the livecd boot prompt, you type:

dsl fromhd=/dev/hda1

and away you go...

Posted by dpeirce on Sep. 24 2005,00:46
Thanks, cbagger, for the info. Now I need to look up the creation of a DSL boot floppy :^>. But this may be the easiest and most flexible way to install DSL on my ancient laptop. Maybe I can eventually figure out some kind of dual boot.

Sorry for the delay in response, but there's been a heavy workload at Church from Katrina (and now Rita) refugees.

BTW, do you know if those old documentations apply to DSL versions past .092?

In faith, Dave
dave@christos.cjb.net
Viva Texas

Posted by SaidinUnleashed on Sep. 24 2005,03:19
Quote (dpeirce @ Sep. 14 2005,23:46)
which doesn't appear on newer blogs.

*sigh*...

< http://damnsmalllinux.org/wiki/index.php/Frequently_Asked_Questions >
< http://damnsmalllinux.org/wiki/index.php/About_Damn_Small_Linux >
< http://damnsmalllinux.org/wiki/index.php/Getting_DSL_From_the_Mirrors >
< http://damnsmalllinux.org/wiki/index.php/Fixing_a_Corrupted_ISO >
< http://damnsmalllinux.org/wiki/index.php/DSL_Wiki:General_disclaimer >

Search... use.. function.. wiki... you...

Or even the huge "Getting Started" link there..

Quote (dpeirce @ Sep. 23 2005,19:46)
BTW, do you know if those old documentations apply to DSL versions past .092?


Short answer: No, use the wiki. The Drupal docs are no longer maintained, and are only there for archival/historical purposes.

-J.P. "God of the Wiki"

Posted by dpeirce on Sep. 24 2005,22:31
Hi, Mr god of the Wiki. Actually I found all those pages before I asked my questions. For some of my research I used the search function. And, actually, none of those pages answered my questions.

Searching the forums I did get bits and pieces here and there, but nothing organized into a coherant whole on the questions I was interested in. The wiki looks very well-organized and has good summary indormation... for the subjects it covers. I do wish I knew much more than I know, and could then volunteer to help extend the wiki. But I don't so better not.

Thanks for the info about the old pages. But I do wish the wiki had comparable material. I know it takes a while to get something like that going, and quite a bit of effort too, so I hope you do get volunteers. If there's something a newbie could do, I'd be glad to try.

In faith, Dave
dave@christos.cjb.net
Viva Texas

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