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Topic: Installing DSL FROM HD Frugal No CDROM, old cheapskates!

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gigi1234

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Posts: 18
Joined: Aug. 2006

Posted: Aug. 27 2006,20:13

I have been using cfdisk or fdisk. For some reason it only works when the source partition is FAT32. If I make it ext2 then it doesn't get recognized by the installer. This is weird to me.

I thought of the permissions issue, but that isn't something that you set in cfdisk, is it?

Does it matter which ISO you use? I am just using current, but maybe I should be using embedded instead?

I am also having bootloader issues...

dscott23

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Posts: 4
Joined: Aug. 2006

Posted: Aug. 28 2006,01:06

I can't say for certain that permissions are set in cfdisk, I'm not that familiar with it.

I used the current ISO, but you may want to try the "syslinux" iso, I believe it's for older systems that won't boot with the regular iso.

If you're having bootloader issues, perhaps that should be solved first. You mention that the computer you're trying to install DSL on is current running Tiny Linux. Are you looking to keep Tiny Linux on the system, and have a dual boot with DSL? If not, I would suggest completely deleting all partitions on the drive, creating new ones and starting from scratch. Unless you're looking to keep both OS's on there, in which case I would do some searching around for help on repairing a broken bootloader. I don't know that much about bootloaders at this point.

D.

JBHoren

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Posts: 4
Joined: June 2006

Posted: Aug. 28 2006,22:23

gigi1234 -- after creating the ext2 partition, did you remember to create a file system on it? If you didn't (as root) run: "/sbin/mke2fs /dev/<partition>" and then retry your installation.

I have an old Compaq LTE 4/75cx, on which I'm going to install DSL. It's got a 1.44MB floppy drive and a 310MB hard drive; no CDROM or USB.

I created a Linux boot floppy, using Tom's Root Boot, and booted the "beast" from it (with 16MB RAM, it loads into ramdisk). Next, I used fdisk to partition the hard drive.

I created a 65MB partition (/dev/hda1), and a 260MB partition (/dev/hda2). Although the first partition will end-up being swap space, for now I created a file system on each partition (ext2 for hda1, ext3 for hda2).

As soon as I get that old network card I bought on eBay (one supported by the drivers from tomsrtbt), I'll copy the dsl-3.0.1.iso image onto hda1, run frugal_lite.sh, and do an installation onto hda2. THEN I'll run mkswap on hda1, and edit /etc/fstab to reflect the change.

I like the suggestion of "u2musicmike" about mounting the iso image as a loop-back file system and then copying it over onto the main partition.

Hope this helps (and will work for me, too!)

I have my eye on an 810MB drive... but then, there's a 5GB out there, as well (both going for peanuts)... and also a wireless card... all so that I can run Linux on an old Compaq 4/75cx... LOL

gigi1234

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Joined: Aug. 2006

Posted: Aug. 29 2006,01:09

JBHoren:

At first I wasn't clued into creating the file system, but then I realized this could be one of the problems. But, even taking care with that I am still having issues with X and the bootloader.

Your scheme sounds great. Why ext2 for hda1 and ext3 for hda2? 310 MB HD? Wow that is slim, for sure. Makes me feel I;ve space to burn!

What kind of netcard will work with TOMSRTBT? I tried that option, but could never get the ethernet connection going.

By contrast, when I run DSL fromhd it automatically configures the DHCP connection-no worries.

I am waiting for some Ebayed RAM to arrive. Plus I have to straighten out the bootloader problems.

Keep me posted on your progress-let me know how it turns out.

I know it is a little strange, and maybe a waste of time, but I love trying to do something useful with old decrepit systems that nobody else wants.

Thanks so much for your input!

peasn^^^s

Sammy95

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Posts: 2
Joined: Aug. 2006

Posted: Aug. 29 2006,23:46

Hello everyone..

This was interresting stuff.

I also have a old laptop that I really want to install a up to date fully working copy of Linux onto.
It's a small Toshiba Libretto 70CT, MMX120mhz 32Mb RAM, No USB, No CD
(It looks like this one)
Currently it has Win98 & Red Hat 6.2 installed.

Win98 works okey with network access through the PCMCIA card.
I just got one extra 16Mb (total32Mb) today, and the computer is running much faster than before, so I guess 16Mb more make a difference when You only have 16Mb as std.

However the partition with Red Hat doesn't work 100%. No network, and the graphics is not so good.

I also wonder about if You think that DSL will work nicely with X with only 32 MB RAM?

My main problem is how to install it without any CD, and then I found that You are just talking about the same issue here.
Nice, maybe we are able to work it out. However I am not an expert (stupid) with Linux, and really don't think I will be of very much help, but I sure want to try (2 learn)

I have a spare HD that I think I will use, since I don't want to mess up the one that already is running 95% okey.

Sammy

18 replies since Aug. 23 2006,18:53

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