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

Revision [12737]

This is an old revision of InstallationFrugal made by coolpup on 2011-02-13 07:41:52.

A Puppy frugal installation is performed by extracting the contents of the container file (either ISO or ZIP) to normally one, i.e. the same, directory on any desired FAT32, NTFS or EXT4 formatted partition. Let that desired partition be known as the target partition since one is aiming to install to it. That partition may be located on either an external flash memory device {e.g. U.S.B. flash memory drive (often erroneously referred to as memory stick), S.D. flash memory card, etc.} or an internal hard disk drive.

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

The target device is the device which contains the partition that one aims to install to, such as an external flash memory drive or an internal hard disk drive. Usually one has to have already an existing Puppy installation and so the following three steps assume that one is running Puppy Linux. If one is running Microsoft Windows go to Appendix 1 below.

Step 1 - Preparing the target device

install the latest available versions of e2fsprogs and parted

determine the correct device name of the target device to work on, by using the command-line interface:
```
probedisk2
```

(Optional) verify that all existing data is destroyed on target partition Y or target device X:
```
dd if=/dev/random of=/dev/sdXY && dd if=/dev/zero of=/dev/sdXY
```

(Optional) zero the first 512 bytes of the boot partition Y to delete any existing M.B.R. boot code:
```
dd bs=512 count=1 if=/dev/zero of=/dev/sdXY
```

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

ensure the target device is unmounted: Menu > System > GParted > Partition > Unmount

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

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

select EXT4 for all partitions if possible {fastest file-system for flash memory devices}

or select FAT32 for sharing the device with non-Linux mobile devices {install dosfstools}

or select N.T.F.S. for sharing the device with non-Linux operating systems {install ntfs3g, }

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

Step 2 - Installing Puppy to the target device

Mount the target device by clicking on it

Mount the Puppy ISO (or ZIP) file by clicking on it

Copy from the ISO (or ZIP) directory to the target device the files: vmlinuz, initrd.gz, and all those with the extension .sfs

Step 3 - Installing a boot-loader to the target device

Using SYSLINUX for EXT4 partitions

Download and install the latest available version of SYSLINUX

Download the boot-loader configuration file syslinux.cfg and place it on the target device

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

dd conv=notrunc bs=440 count=1 if=/usr/lib/syslinux/mbr.bin of=/dev/sdX

Install the boot-loader system file ldlinux.sys to the target partition Y:
```
mkdir /mnt/sdXY/extlinux && extlinux -i --stupid /mnt/sdXY/extlinux
```

Follow the additional instructions in Appendices 1 and 3 at LiveDVD, then re-boot the computer with the flash memory device connected

Using SYSLINUX for FAT32 partitions

Download and install the latest available version of SYSLINUX

Download the boot-loader configuration file syslinux.cfg and place it on the target device

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

dd conv=notrunc bs=440 count=1 if=/usr/lib/syslinux/mbr.bin of=/dev/sdX

Install the boot-loader system file ldlinux.sys to the target partition Y:
```
syslinux -i --stupid /dev/sdXY
```

Follow the additional instructions in Appendices 1 and 3 at LiveDVD, then re-boot the computer with the flash memory device connected

Using GRUBforDOS for NTFS partitions

Download and install the latest available version of Grub4DosConfig

Download the boot-loader system file grldr and place it on the target device

Install the boot-loader code to the M.B.R. of the target drive X:
```
bootlace.com --time-out=0 /dev/sdX
```

The boot-loader configuration file menu.lst can be created or updated using Grub4DosConfig: Menu > System > Grub4Dos

Follow the additional instructions in Appendices 1 and 3 at LiveDVD, then re-boot the computer with the flash memory device connected

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 - Installation to any external device, from within Microsoft Windows

Format the drive or partition to FAT32

Download and extract the latest syslinux .zip file to the C drive, i.e. C:\syslinux

Then go to directory C:\syslinux\win32\:
```
cd C:\syslinux\win32\
```

Then, with administrator privileges, 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 target device the files: vmlinuz, initrd.gz, and all those with the extensions .sfs

Download this sample boot-loader configuration file syslinux.cfg and place it on the target device

Re-boot the computer with the flash memory device connected

Appendix 2 - 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