Suggest a USB-installable Linux distro to try on a 256MB RAM PC

-TangleFoot-

esuhl wrote: »

It's nuts!

Ever installed Windows with one connected? They almost always hijack the <C:> drive, which breaks quite a few badly-written software installers.

I had to partition mine manually last time that happened.:rotfl:

esuhl

-TangleFoot- wrote: »

Ever installed Windows with one connected? They almost always hijack the <C:> drive, which breaks quite a few badly-written software installers.

I had to partition mine manually last time that happened.:rotfl:

Ha ha! I remember having problems installing some training software. After an hour on the phone to the support team, I noticed that the installer was trying to dump all the files to C:\ and crashing.

"Ah! I think I've found the problem -- my C: drive is only 50MB in size. How do I install to another drive?"
"You can't."
"Errrr... what?! I've paid for this software and my PC meets minimum requirements. I'm not shuffling around three operating systems and re-partitioning my drive to cope with your bad programming!"
"I'll arrange a refund..."

scot455

You probably need to change the BIOS to boot from USB
If you cant (some PC's won't allow it) you can make a LIveCD and boot from that.
Again, you might have to change the Boot order in BIOS

There is a way to boot from a floppy and do the rest of the distro you choose from a cd or USB stick (I think there is a reference to that in HOW to GEEK.
Another useful site for Linux is DEDOIMEDO also quite a laugh !!!

scot455

There is an iso cd called boot-repair.iso for those who destroy their GRUB when windows hijacks the c:drive.
It repairs back to a multiboot distro very well indeed

Kernel_Sanders

scot455 wrote: »

There is an iso cd called boot-repair.iso for those who destroy their GRUB when windows hijacks the c:drive.
It repairs back to a multiboot distro very well indeed

Hello Ivan, not sure why you've bounced this!
Actually it was a Linux distro which hijacked my C drive; I inadvertently installed it on the same volume as XP! But Windows booted fine using Hirens.

Linbox wrote: »

http://distrowatch.com/search.php?category=Old+Computers#distrosearch

9. Puppy Linux - always very good.
11. SliTaz GNU/Linux - this is REALLY FAST!!
14. TinyMe
2. antiX

I installed 9 and 11 and although both recognized my 3 dongle, neither would connect.

rmg1

GunJack wrote: »

^^^ yes it has, you just need to load up xboot with the ones you want on the usb and xboot will create the usb with a menu for you to pick which to boot up each time The create ISO function is for stuff that isn't already in that format, or has multiple elements (like hiren's for example)

On my USB I've got puppy linux, hiren's bootCD, and the avira rescue system

Hi GunJack

Have you got any idiot-proof instructions for getting all this onto 1 USB?
I'm (apparently) the geek for quite a few people and that lot in one place sounds like a plan.
Also, what size USB do I need?

debitcardmayhem

rmg1 wrote: »

Hi GunJack

Have you got any idiot-proof instructions for getting all this onto 1 USB?
I'm (apparently) the geek for quite a few people and that lot in one place sounds like a plan.
Also, what size USB do I need?

https://sites.google.com/site/shamurxboot/tipsntrick
You need .net 4 on your PC
Gather your ISO's (to give you an idea on the size too)
I have got Hirens , puppy , gparted live, Windows 7 rescue 32 bit and 64 bit ,Ubuntu , systemrescuecd and lots of others , but I have a 16GB stick with other things on it too e.g portable apps and my email etc and truecrypt so I would suggest 4GB will manage for just the images (probably including a bit of overkill)
Beware though that they don't always work as you would hope , you have to play about with various bits and pieces. Gunjack Spud and I had a thread about 6-9 months ago bantering about using Xboot I will try and dig that out for you. If you are prepared to play around with it is worthwhile , and if I remember correctly TOG and others also suggested other stuff too.
When you add more stuff no need to install a new bootloader either . but I may be getting confused too.

Edited here was the thread https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/3718403

GunJack

Agree with my erstwhile colleague above

I use a 2GB stick for Puppy, Avira rescueCD and Hiren's. This just about fits as 1. Puppy save file needs at least 256Meg to be effective and 2. you also need to drop the HBCD folder onto the stick after you've created the bootable drive with xboot, which is pretty big in it's own right.

Spookily, the drive I created back at the time of that thread I had to re-do this evening, as the bootloader had corrupted. The whole process took about 20 mins start to finish ( I had the ISOs saved so no need to download again) to build the stick again. Xboot really is pretty easy to use, select the default bootloader and away you go

I'll try and post a step-by-step in a bit......

debitcardmayhem

Hey Gunny it's a weekend and an evening ...seen spud anywhere ?:cool:

GunJack

no, soz mate, but I'm only "part-time" on here tonight.....crashed out on sofa after dinner and so am now rebuilding a lappy I've fixed during the next couple of hours before I can go back to sleep

edit - looking at the "who's online" list he ain't on there at the mo...