[Ham-Computers] Puppy Linux Question

[jeff]

On Sun, 2006-08-06 at 23:03 -0400, paulahkolik at aol.com wrote:
> 1. Is there a way to install puppy "post-xp/dual-boot" so I don't lose 
> use of programs I have that run solely on Windows?

I've had great success with Knoppix.  It comes as a live cd, but you can
install it if you like.  It has supplanted The Redmond Menace, which I
just keep for legacy apps.  Also tried live Ubuntu, which works fine
too.

If puppy is anything like the others, it probably already has an install
routine on it.  Do they have a website or forums?


As for dual-boot installation, there are open source (read:free) tools
that will allow you to do this.  The basic idea here (this is no
substitute for instructions) is to make sure you have enough space on
your current hd to make this feasable.  How much is enough?  I have no
idea, given I don't know that distro or your requirements.

You want to DEFRAG the HELL out of your hd.  And do it again.  Clean up
the drive and make sure it's all together on one side of the disk.

If you don't have a hd partition utility, there are lots.  You'll want
to split the disk, making sure there's enough space for the Win side.
After that, you'll want to make a small partition for SWAP, unless the
installation routine does it for you.  The remainder will be for linux.

You also have the OPTION of making a data partition that both OSes can
access (linux isn't fond of NTFS but can do some things).

All that's left, again assuming it's not covered by the install routine,
is to make the system dual-boot.  Many OS tools exist for this also.
Google is your friend.

Another option is to install a 2nd hard drive, which only leaves making
the system dual-boot.  HDs are cheap these days, or you can use almost
anything you have laying about.


Feel free to ask specific questions.