Small distro

phaenilda · 09-25-2005, 11:30 AM

Hey,
I recently got an old Dell Inspiron 3800. I'm bored so I thought I'd screw around with it. I decided to put Suse 9.3 on it, even though I already have a linux laptop. It didn't work. I can't get the GUI to show up, just a command line, same thing with 9.1, 6.3, FC3, Corel, Ubuntu, and Mepis. So I decided "F*ck it. If it's command line only, none of my family will be able to even find the files." So what I want now is a small linux distro that has no GUI. I don't have a floppy drive, so it has to have and ISO. Oh, and I don't want a liveCD, I want turn it on and have it boot to a command line and let me do the basic stuff. Text editing, and file manipulation. A pdf view might be handy, but if thats not possible without a GUI, not important.

**Resolution** · 09-25-2005, 11:37 AM

I think you are confused. You will only get a GUI on Linux if you install one to begin with. Any Linux operating system has the capability of being command line only. Your system will only be as "heavy" or "lightweight" as the amount/type of programs YOU install on it.

As for your question, I would recommend Debian or Slackware.

phaenilda · 09-25-2005, 11:45 AM

*blink* I just feel silly now... Alright. Nevermind. Thanks though.

Volt-Schwibe · 09-25-2005, 02:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by phaenilda

*blink* I just feel silly now... Alright. Nevermind. Thanks though.

well, don't feel silly.

almost everyone thinks linux is more complicated than it is.

this more or less isn't true, but it's what's being said, so everyone expects their linux problem to be really complicated, when in fact, it's so simple, that it's nearly impossible to imagine it.

also, for what it's worth, you can set up a GUI on there, and just only use it when you feel you need to.

that way, the machine will boot to a command line, and then if you really want, you can type a simple command to enter kde or gnome, or any other gui you like.

it would still keep everyone other than you from knowing what to do. (unless they have some linux skills)

**LoneWolf071** · 09-25-2005, 06:27 PM

Setting It Up To Boot in a text-based mode then start up a GUI if you want will save your computer much resources and can be done easily...

Scooped · 09-26-2005, 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LoneWolf071

Setting It Up To Boot in a text-based mode then start up a GUI if you want will save your computer much resources and can be done easily...

Slackware's default runlevel is 3, which is what you just said.

I would go with slackware, or maybe even gentoo.

If you must go graphical, then you can always use a lightweight window manager, such as fluxbox.

phaenilda · 09-26-2005, 05:24 PM

Thanks for all the help, guys, but I don't know if it's any use. I think ther is something wrong with my optical drive, I can't get this thing to install anything now. I got it to install Suse (without any graphical programs) but once it had copied everything to disk, I stalled on the configuration. 2 hours later, I just rebooted, and it loaded up, and it prints one word on the screen: "GRUB"
I'm getting sick of this computer. I tried just putting FreeDOS on it, but it refused.
*sigh* Maybe I'll just scrap this damn thing.
..
No, it's personal now. I will have linux on this machine. I WILL WIN!

Stu_computer · 09-26-2005, 06:22 PM

Here's a good one...

Puppy Linux http://www.goosee.com/puppy/

Aeuzent · 09-26-2005, 08:23 PM

Sounds like a real crap machine

Try Vector Linux
http://www.vectorlinux.com/

It's great for crap machines and it's Slackware based

Volt-Schwibe · 09-26-2005, 11:03 PM

inspiron 3800 like this one?

not too bad of a machine.

should have no problem running a full blown distro.

Aeuzent · 09-26-2005, 11:32 PM

On a fluke I did a search on your laptop model
This poped up near the top

http://www.math.ucla.edu/~jimc/inspir3800.html

You may find it interesting

Volt-Schwibe · 09-27-2005, 03:19 AM

that's more or less the exact same thing i experienced when installing mandrake 10 onto my inspiron 4000.

went pretty good, and mandrake supported the hardware well.

Scooped · 09-27-2005, 02:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by phaenilda

Thanks for all the help, guys, but I don't know if it's any use. I think ther is something wrong with my optical drive, I can't get this thing to install anything now.

Try burning the CDs on a slower speed, like maybe 10X.

phaenilda · 09-27-2005, 04:44 PM

Aeuzent- I've seen that page, and it offers no help. As for vector, too big. I'm on dial up here.
Waltside- Yes it's like that machine, save it has a maroon faceplate and a DVD-rom instead of a floppy
Stu-computer- Thanks, Puppy linux looks like it might work out if I can get it downloaded. It can do an actual install, not just booting from a CD or USB drive right?
Scooped- I'll try burning them slower, thanks

Aeuzent · 09-27-2005, 06:18 PM

I didn't remember vector doing a net install

Oh well

Anyway this http://www.damnsmalllinux.org/ is the smallest linux disto in existence.

phaenilda · 09-28-2005, 04:56 PM

1) There are smaller distrobutions
2) I already have DSL. It's a liveCD. I said I need a distro that will actually install
Thanks, though.

Aeuzent · 09-28-2005, 06:09 PM

Most live cds install. There's a script or command somewhere on the cd that will install to the hard drive.

In fact the only live cd I've ever seen that didn't have a built in installer is the Suse DVD

Volt-Schwibe · 09-29-2005, 12:50 AM

dsl will install, and can be expanded to run anything.

it's built on debian, and through the symantic tool, you can install any packages you want.

i think you type "dls tohda1" when it prompts you, to make it install.

Stu_computer · 09-29-2005, 04:44 AM

Yep, you can install puppy to drives when it's running, it's in the desktop menu.

another one you might like to look at is beatrix...
http://www.watsky.net/

phaenilda · 09-29-2005, 03:41 PM

I have Puppy installed. I'm a little frustrated with the lack of commands it supports though. And like everything else, it refuses to load a GUI unless I boot from a CD. Puppy is by far the best live CD I've seen though.
BeatrIX is too big. I'm on dial up. It took me three days to DL the 50 megs of Puppy.

09-25-2005, 11:30 AM	#1 (permalink)
phaenilda Registered User Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Upstate NY Posts: 207 OS: Windows 7 RC1, Mac OS X 10.5, Ubuntu 9.04, Windows XP, Mandriva Spring 2009	Small distro Hey, I recently got an old Dell Inspiron 3800. I'm bored so I thought I'd screw around with it. I decided to put Suse 9.3 on it, even though I already have a linux laptop. It didn't work. I can't get the GUI to show up, just a command line, same thing with 9.1, 6.3, FC3, Corel, Ubuntu, and Mepis. So I decided "F*ck it. If it's command line only, none of my family will be able to even find the files." So what I want now is a small linux distro that has no GUI. I don't have a floppy drive, so it has to have and ISO. Oh, and I don't want a liveCD, I want turn it on and have it boot to a command line and let me do the basic stuff. Text editing, and file manipulation. A pdf view might be handy, but if thats not possible without a GUI, not important. __________________ Slow and Steady Wins the Race... Uhm, unless it's a real race.

09-25-2005, 11:45 AM	#3 (permalink)
phaenilda Registered User Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Upstate NY Posts: 207 OS: Windows 7 RC1, Mac OS X 10.5, Ubuntu 9.04, Windows XP, Mandriva Spring 2009	blink I just feel silly now... Alright. Nevermind. Thanks though. __________________ Slow and Steady Wins the Race... Uhm, unless it's a real race.

09-25-2005, 06:27 PM	#5 (permalink)
LoneWolf071 Be Free Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Texas Posts: 840 OS: Windows XP, Linux	Setting It Up To Boot in a text-based mode then start up a GUI if you want will save your computer much resources and can be done easily... __________________ Suicide Command in Linux : rm -rf / ;) AIM:TheLoneWolf071@aim.com--If You Need Help, Don't Hesitate...

09-26-2005, 05:24 PM	#7 (permalink)
phaenilda Registered User Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Upstate NY Posts: 207 OS: Windows 7 RC1, Mac OS X 10.5, Ubuntu 9.04, Windows XP, Mandriva Spring 2009	Thanks for all the help, guys, but I don't know if it's any use. I think ther is something wrong with my optical drive, I can't get this thing to install anything now. I got it to install Suse (without any graphical programs) but once it had copied everything to disk, I stalled on the configuration. 2 hours later, I just rebooted, and it loaded up, and it prints one word on the screen: "GRUB" I'm getting sick of this computer. I tried just putting FreeDOS on it, but it refused. sigh Maybe I'll just scrap this damn thing. .. No, it's personal now. I will have linux on this machine. I WILL WIN! __________________ Slow and Steady Wins the Race... Uhm, unless it's a real race.

09-26-2005, 06:22 PM	#8 (permalink)
Stu_computer Tech Hardware Team Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 1,459 OS: Windows	Here's a good one... Puppy Linux http://www.goosee.com/puppy/ __________________

09-25-2005, 11:37 AM	#2 (permalink)
Resolution TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Louisiana Posts: 1,091 OS: FreeBSD/Win98/2000/XP	I think you are confused. You will only get a GUI on Linux if you install one to begin with. Any Linux operating system has the capability of being command line only. Your system will only be as "heavy" or "lightweight" as the amount/type of programs YOU install on it. As for your question, I would recommend Debian or Slackware.

09-26-2005, 08:23 PM	#9 (permalink)
Aeuzent Registered User Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Severn, MD Posts: 370 OS: XP SP2	Sounds like a real crap machine Try Vector Linux http://www.vectorlinux.com/ It's great for crap machines and it's Slackware based

09-26-2005, 11:03 PM	#10 (permalink)
Volt-Schwibe Asst. Manager, Automotive Forums; HJT Trainee Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Behind you, watching you as you type. Posts: 7,372 OS: Click "My System" to view details My System	inspiron 3800 like this one? not too bad of a machine. should have no problem running a full blown distro. __________________ <signature> TSF is funded by our Admin's pocket, care to help? Power Tip: Subscribe to your thread (Thread Tools) to receive an instant email notification when you get a reply. New Members: Creating a single new thread in the correct section is the best way to assure your thread will receive a reply. </signature>

09-26-2005, 11:32 PM	#11 (permalink)
Aeuzent Registered User Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Severn, MD Posts: 370 OS: XP SP2	On a fluke I did a search on your laptop model This poped up near the top http://www.math.ucla.edu/~jimc/inspir3800.html You may find it interesting

09-27-2005, 03:19 AM	#12 (permalink)
Volt-Schwibe Asst. Manager, Automotive Forums; HJT Trainee Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Behind you, watching you as you type. Posts: 7,372 OS: Click "My System" to view details My System	that's more or less the exact same thing i experienced when installing mandrake 10 onto my inspiron 4000. went pretty good, and mandrake supported the hardware well. __________________ <signature> TSF is funded by our Admin's pocket, care to help? Power Tip: Subscribe to your thread (Thread Tools) to receive an instant email notification when you get a reply. New Members: Creating a single new thread in the correct section is the best way to assure your thread will receive a reply. </signature>

09-27-2005, 04:44 PM	#14 (permalink)
phaenilda Registered User Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Upstate NY Posts: 207 OS: Windows 7 RC1, Mac OS X 10.5, Ubuntu 9.04, Windows XP, Mandriva Spring 2009	Aeuzent- I've seen that page, and it offers no help. As for vector, too big. I'm on dial up here. Waltside- Yes it's like that machine, save it has a maroon faceplate and a DVD-rom instead of a floppy Stu-computer- Thanks, Puppy linux looks like it might work out if I can get it downloaded. It can do an actual install, not just booting from a CD or USB drive right? Scooped- I'll try burning them slower, thanks __________________ Slow and Steady Wins the Race... Uhm, unless it's a real race.

09-27-2005, 06:18 PM	#15 (permalink)
Aeuzent Registered User Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Severn, MD Posts: 370 OS: XP SP2	I didn't remember vector doing a net install Oh well Anyway this http://www.damnsmalllinux.org/ is the smallest linux disto in existence.

09-28-2005, 04:56 PM	#16 (permalink)
phaenilda Registered User Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Upstate NY Posts: 207 OS: Windows 7 RC1, Mac OS X 10.5, Ubuntu 9.04, Windows XP, Mandriva Spring 2009	1) There are smaller distrobutions 2) I already have DSL. It's a liveCD. I said I need a distro that will actually install Thanks, though. __________________ Slow and Steady Wins the Race... Uhm, unless it's a real race.

09-28-2005, 06:09 PM	#17 (permalink)
Aeuzent Registered User Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Severn, MD Posts: 370 OS: XP SP2	Most live cds install. There's a script or command somewhere on the cd that will install to the hard drive. In fact the only live cd I've ever seen that didn't have a built in installer is the Suse DVD

09-29-2005, 12:50 AM	#18 (permalink)
Volt-Schwibe Asst. Manager, Automotive Forums; HJT Trainee Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Behind you, watching you as you type. Posts: 7,372 OS: Click "My System" to view details My System	dsl will install, and can be expanded to run anything. it's built on debian, and through the symantic tool, you can install any packages you want. i think you type "dls tohda1" when it prompts you, to make it install. __________________ <signature> TSF is funded by our Admin's pocket, care to help? Power Tip: Subscribe to your thread (Thread Tools) to receive an instant email notification when you get a reply. New Members: Creating a single new thread in the correct section is the best way to assure your thread will receive a reply. </signature>

09-29-2005, 04:44 AM	#19 (permalink)
Stu_computer Tech Hardware Team Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 1,459 OS: Windows	Yep, you can install puppy to drives when it's running, it's in the desktop menu. another one you might like to look at is beatrix... http://www.watsky.net/ __________________

09-29-2005, 03:41 PM	#20 (permalink)
phaenilda Registered User Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Upstate NY Posts: 207 OS: Windows 7 RC1, Mac OS X 10.5, Ubuntu 9.04, Windows XP, Mandriva Spring 2009	I have Puppy installed. I'm a little frustrated with the lack of commands it supports though. And like everything else, it refuses to load a GUI unless I boot from a CD. Puppy is by far the best live CD I've seen though. BeatrIX is too big. I'm on dial up. It took me three days to DL the 50 megs of Puppy. __________________ Slow and Steady Wins the Race... Uhm, unless it's a real race.