DSL Ideas and Suggestions :: for floppyless people



MissingM:
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I've also noticed that it's near-impossible to map some extensions to some applications in XP (.htm to any browser that's not IE, for example.  Try it).

It's pretty easy to change defaults in XP. It was just as easy in NT and even in 95/98. Download and install any browser and on first use it will ask if you want it to be your default. Same thing with media players like WinAmp or (gag, what a bloated pig) iTunes. Then the only issue is making sure you click the "Don't Ask Me This Again" box next time you start IE or WMP and it asks if you want it to be your default again. (It's easier in XP than 95/98 if you ever change your mind and want to change defaults after clicking the box, too.)
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Right now I can't get direct access to the BIOS, and from what I could find online, that's a pretty common condition with Compaq Armada 1700 laptops.

I've never been a fan of Compaq because of some of their hardware quirks. The BIOS issue is strictly Compaq's (or any other assembler's) doing, not Microsoft's.
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DSL, like Knoppix, like Ubuntu, Kubuntu, KDE and others (please let's not talk about Linux XP...) are meant to offer a smooth entry-level learning curve.  Kind of `Welcome to Linux!' systems.

Some people would disagree with that assessment. They're "easy" in the sense that you can boot them live on CD (or other devices). Ubuntu/Kubuntu (same thing, different desktops) is probably the most new user-friendly of the ones you named with respect to installing as a traditional OS with a lot of auto-configuration; Mepis is in the same league with Ubuntu, maybe a little "easier" even. And KDE isn't a distro, it's a desktop environment with a full suite of applications in the tradition of Windows' and Mac's user environments.

Now, curaga...
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There is one big advantage in this method: it can be all done from Windows!

That's not an advantage over:
1. Loadlin DSL from FAT (Win) partition
2. ZipSlack
3. Dyne
4. etc.

See:
http://tldp.org/HOWTO/Loadlin+Win95-98-ME.html
http://lab.dyne.org/Docking
http://www.slackware.com/zipslack/

Etc.
Quote (curaga @ Mar. 22 2007,05:49)
There is one big advantage in this method: it can be all done from Windows! (even XP or Vista)
So tablet pc's and so, which can't boot from floppy, cd, net, usb... Can use fdisk and rawrite to get DSL running, and then install a "proper" bootloader, if they wish...

Just to point something out... (if it isnt too obvious)
You could load an image of other bootloaders instead (ie grub)

Not that it would be ideal still unless you really wanted a partition just for a bootloader...

And I don't think you can run fdisk if windows is already running from the device...?
Quote (^thehatsrule^ @ Mar. 22 2007,12:20)
And I don't think you can run fdisk if windows is already running from the device...?

Excellent point.
Then a 30-day trial of partition magic or so would do it... Many people create at least 2 partitions in the beginning, so XP and programs dont interfere. If there is some free space, then fdisk is ok.
Loadlin cannot use XP or Vista (I think) so it's out of question,
and a grub image would be good, but it's not available as easily as the bootfloppy.

ZipSlack and Dyne look good, but they aren't DSL :cool:

And that partition can be turned afterwards to swap or merged to other partitions..
Quote (curaga @ Mar. 23 2007,01:20)
Then a 30-day trial of partition magic or so would do it...

No, it really wouldn't do it. Not when there are much better tools -- much better ways to skin that cat -- available.
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Many people create at least 2 partitions in the beginning, so XP and programs dont interfere.

1. That's not why XP and Vista use two partitions (recommended). One is for system recovery.
2. The system recovery partition isn't 1.44-2 MB. It's many times that. Per what you allude to below about turning it into a swap later, that would presume ditching the recovery partition and/or Windows altogether. Is that a very practical idea for someone who uses a computer for work, personal recordkeeping, etc., or who intends to keep and use Windows on that hard drive? Nope.
3. A floppy image installed to a 1.44-2 MB (or even a 500 MB recovery) partition would still require a bootloader. Chicken or egg, curaga?
4. ETC.
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If there is some free space, then fdisk is ok.

No, it isn't.
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Loadlin cannot use XP or Vista (I think) so it's out of question,

There are still much more practical ways to skin your cat.
http://marc.herbert.free.fr/linux/win2linstall.html
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and a grub image would be good, but it's not available as easily as the bootfloppy.

See above link.
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ZipSlack and Dyne look good, but they aren't DSL

My point is that neither ZipSlack nor Dyne nor DSL requires a 1.44-2MB partition with a boot floppy to load or install Linux in (or near) a Windows environment.
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And that partition can be turned afterwards to swap or merged to other partitions..

A 2MB swap? LOL! That'll teach me to get on here after an all-nighter.

Even if you really, really, seriously DO mean screwing up an entire 500+ MB Windows recovery partition just to install a 1.44 MB floppy image to do something that's much more easily accomplished in much more user-friendly ways, I'm TOTALLY against suggesting Windows users screw around with their recovery partitions for this purpose, make new partitions especially for this "alternative technique," OR turn their recovery partitions into Linux swap partitions unless they intend to ditch Windows altogether. Most people want and need stable systems; that includes recovery partitions (I set one up on this computer for Linux so I have a quick place to make and store frequent /home tarballs). It's not a very good idea to get a 30-day license and play around with partitions for a month.

(Edited formatting -- one slash -- only.)
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