How to make a GNU/Linux frugal installation with copy-to-R.A.M. mode system: PuppyLinux

Revision [11798]

This is an old revision of InstallationFrugal made by coolpup on 2010-12-30 09:17:45.

A frugal installation is performed by extracting the contents of the container ISO or ZIP file to any FAT32, NTFS or EXT4 formatted partition, e.g. Wary.

If the target partition or drive contains any personally important files copy them elsewhere if required, because they will be destroyed when formatting.

If, after performing the installation processes described below, the computer does not boot into Puppy Linux from the flash memory device follow the instructions in Appendices 1 and 3 at LiveDVD.

Installation to any external flash memory device and using SYSLINUX or GRUB for DOS as boot-loader

From within Puppy Linux

see Appendices 1-3 below

From within Microsoft Windows

Format the drive or partition to FAT32

Download and extract syslinux to a folder, e.g. C:\syslinux

Then go to directory C:\syslinux\win32\ by entering into the command-line interface:
```
cd C:\syslinux\win32\
```

Then run the syslinux command to make the drive bootable (where X: is the drive letter for the target drive or partition)
```
syslinux.exe -m -a X:
```

Open the Puppy ISO (or ZIP) file to view its contents, using e.g. 7-zip, (it is important that the original file names be kept)

Copy to the flash memory device the files: vmlinuz, initrd.gz, and all those with the extensions .sfs, and .cfg

Rename isolinux.cfg to syslinux.cfg

Edit syslinux.cfg in a text editor: change "pmedia=cd" to "pmedia=usbflash"

Reboot computer flash memory device connected

Installation to any Microsoft Windows partition and using GRUBforDOS as boot-loader

Installing the boot-loader to the internal hard disk drive (where Microsoft Windows resides)
http://www.icpug.org.uk/national/linnwin/step1-xp.htm
http://puppy.b0x.me/lin-n-win
Installing the boot-loader to an external drive
http://shino.pos.to/linux/lupq/puppydualboot.html

References

http://www.murga-linux.com/puppy/viewtopic.php?t=46129
http://www.puppylinux.org/main/index.php?file=Manual-English05.txt
http://aronzak.wordpress.com/2008/10/07/usb-linux-howto-puppy-41/
http://www.murga-linux.com/puppy/viewtopic.php?t=54826
http://www.pendrivelinux.com/put-lucid-puppy-on-usb-flash-drive-from-windows/#more-4392 (see next reference also)
http://murga-linux.com/puppy/viewtopic.php?p=458818#458818
http://www.murga-linux.com/puppy/viewtopic.php?t=54360
http://www.murga-linux.com/puppy/viewtopic.php?t=43203
http://www.murga-linux.com/puppy/viewtopic.php?t=37368

Appendix 1 [Preparing the flash memory device]

Download and install recent versions of: bzip2, dosfstools, e2fsprogs, ntfs3g, tar, grep

Determine the correct target device name of the flash memory device to work on, e.g. sdX:
```
probedisk2
```

(Optional) Verify that all existing data is destroyed on target partition X:
```
dd if=/dev/random of=/dev/sdX && dd if=/dev/zero of=/dev/sdX
```

Zero the first 512 bytes of the boot partition X1 to delete any existing M.B.R. boot code:
```
dd if=/dev/zero of=/dev/sdX1 bs=512 count=1
```

Create a new partition table (disklabel) on the target device X (WARNING: access to existing data on X will be lost):
```
parted /dev/sdX mklabel msdos
```

(Optional) Create, delete or resize partition(s) on the correct target device: Menu > System > GParted > Partition

Ensure the correct device is unmounted: Menu > System > GParted > Partition > Unmount

Create the required file system (formatting) on the partition(s) of the correct device: Menu > System > GParted > Partition > Format to

use EXT4 for the fastest file-system for flash memory devices

use NTFS-3G for sharing the device with non-Linux systems {FAT is too limited}

use FAT32 for sharing the device with non-Linux mobile devices

Set the boot flag on the device: Menu > System > GParted > Partition > Manage Flags > boot

Appendix 2 [Installing Puppy to the flash memory device]

Click on the Puppy ISO (or ZIP) file to open its contents

Copy to the flash memory device the files: vmlinuz, initrd.gz, and all those with the extensions .sfs, and .cfg

Appendix 3 [Installing a boot-loader to the flash memory device]

Using SYSLINUX for EXT4 partitions

Download and install the latest version of SYSLINUX

Install the boot-loader code to the M.B.R. of the target drive X:

dd if=/usr/lib/syslinux/mbr.bin of=/dev/sdX

cat /usr/lib/syslinux/mbr.bin > /dev/sdX

Install the boot-loader file ldlinux.sys to the target partition X1:

mkdir -pv /dev/sdX1/extlinux && mount /dev/sdb1 && extlinux -i --stupid /mnt/sdX1/extlinux

Rename the boot-loader configuration file isolinux.cfg to syslinux.cfg

Edit syslinux.cfg in a text editor: change "pmedia=cd" to "pmedia=usbflash"

Reboot the computer with the flash memory device connected

Using SYSLINUX for FAT32 partitions

Download and install the latest version of SYSLINUX