Feedback & Bug-Fix Suggestions for Retro-Puppy 218 alpha

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Keef
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Location: Staffordshire

#21 Post by Keef »

Compaq Armada 3500
PII 300mhz
320mb RAM
2gb CF card in IDE adapter (SanDisk Extreme III - 20MB/s)
No CD, HD or floppy.

Manual frugal install (from pup2-218.iso), booting from GRUB.

Runs quite well - 214X seems a little faster (possibly the best I've tried on this setup), but has been less stable and I've had problems with save files.

Wifi connection works (Netgear WG111T usb) via ndiswrapper. Network Wizard told me it was unable to establish a WPA connection, but I refused to believe it, and running Auto dhcpcd does the trick.
Won't detect a CF card in a PCMCIA adapter (but neither will 214R or 214X and a few others.)
JWM configuration manager: selecting 'apply GTK theme to JWM' results in exiting X. Typing xwin doesn't help, neither does running xorgwizard, so cannot get back to the desktop. Deleting .jwmrc did get me back, but without a taskbar or menus. Not sure what to do next so had to reboot and start again with new savefile.

mawebb88
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rt2860 not presnt on my EeePC901

#22 Post by mawebb88 »

Hi Barry

Re my comment on your blog. I tried as you said:
# modinfo rt2860sta
# lsmod
# modprobe rt2860sta

Still no joy. See screen shot attached.
Rgds Mike
Attachments
no rt2860sta.png
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Béèm
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Location: Brussels IBM Thinkpad R40, 256MB, 20GB, WiFi ipw2100. Frugal Lin'N'Win

No wireless device. rt73usb missing.

#23 Post by Béèm »

I don't get a wireless device on my Medion MD8818
I should have the rt73usb driver loaded, but it's not there.
Time savers:
Find packages in a snap and install using Puppy Package Manager (Menu).
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jrb
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#24 Post by jrb »

Nice package, Older Xorg definitely works better on my Shuttle P4 2.4mhz.

Issues noted so far:
Have to open console and type "fixmenus" and then restart jwm to get menu entries for .pets

Pnethood finds the other computers on my network but doesn't detect the shared folders. Works fine in Puppy412.

Also have gotten this type of message several times trying to run various .pets from the right click menu:
Failed to execute child process "/root/.config/rox.sourceforge.net/OpenWith/.application_pet/Open With XArchive" (Permission denied)
. Works fine from console.

When I try to open .doc files with abiword on the right click menu it opens, crashes immediately and leaves me with a duplicate file with a ".SAVED" extension. Works fine from console.

Thanks for doing this Barry. I think it will be a hit with the Pll crowd.

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jrb
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#25 Post by jrb »

Puppy package manager just got confused. It failed to register the last .pet I installed, even though its there in the filesystem, And it has two of the .pets I installed and then uninstalled listed. 7 .pets listed correctly, one missing, two listed incorrectly. I have my pup_save backed up so I'll start over with it.

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01micko
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#26 Post by 01micko »

tempestuous wrote:Snappy or not?
I posted a while ago in ttuuxxx's thread about the general idea of upgrading Puppy 2.x, and how I was concerned that if you upgrade all its libraries it would cease to be Puppy2.

218-alpha seems not as snappy of my Pentium2-350 as the original Puppy 2.12-2.16 series, but I might just be imagining this. If I still had my old Pentium1 laptop the differences would be clearer.

Raffy, or 01micko, or anyone else, what are your opinions about Puppy 2.12-2.16 vs Puppy218 vs ttuuxxx's 214X2?
Hi tempestuous,

Just tried ttuuxxx' 214X2 and it seems very similar in speed on the K6 box, takes about 10 seconds for Seamonkey to load. However, rendering seems a little faster in 214X2 than in 218. I'm using the same res in each.

I've got 217 somewhere. I'll give it a spin later.

Cheers.
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mawebb88
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My experience with an Acer Aspire 5100

#27 Post by mawebb88 »

Installed the pup2-218.iso as frugal:

My Grub menu.lst is:

Code: Select all

title Pup2-218
rootnoverify (hd0,1)/pup2-218
kernel /vmlinuz root=/dev/ram0 PMEDIA=idehd PDEV1=hda2 PUPMODE=12
initrd /initrd.gz
Booted fine.

Ran the network wizard but no wifi inteface found (ath_pci module is missing). So used ndiswrapper with 802bg.zip off a Google search. Re-ran the wizard and wlan0 now present but went through to the end of the wizard (I am using WPA) but failed to connect. So resorted to my own script in the Startup folder to get the interface running with my own wpa_supplicant.conf. Now could ping my router but ip addresses we not being resolved in Seamonkey. So added "nameserver 192.168.1.1" to /etc/resolv.conf and then SM could open Google. But some flash sites kept crashing SM so renamed /usr/lib/mozilla/plugins to /usr/lib/mozilla/plugins(nbg) as reported earlier in ttuuxxx's 214x thread. Now all ok with browsing

Rgds Mike

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ttuuxxx
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#28 Post by ttuuxxx »

Hi i'm interested In 2.18, actually I wouldn't mind making a few releases, but I do have a couple of questions, both version of 2.18 take 700Mb extra compared to 2.14.1X/R releases, my free memory applet says 1.6GB free, where as 2.14.1X it would say 2.3GB free after boot, same with 4 series etc.
When I boot up, Xorg can not detect my screen resolution, Usually from series 3 + it does no problem, I have to use the "Generic" drivers to use Xorg.
Barry dropped gtk1 and tcl and saved around 2MB compressed, but the iso grew 6MB to 99MB, when 2.17.1 was like 93MB, So where did the 8MB go? Is it just due to the newer applications, Sure 2.14.1X grew also about the same, but I added extra bins and libs etc. The reason why I asked is because 8MB is a lot to play with, but when get a 99MB iso and you try to work with it and keep it under 100MB magic number, well it makes it real difficult, plus it was for extra kernel modules so 2 series would be on par with 4 series, then I shouldn't have to use the "Generic" drivers, or maybe some sort xorg wizard update could be made, with the generic drivers in a tickbox on the screen size page, Basically tick "generic drivers" and select the screen size. it would save 2 screen test, about 3 minutes of messing around, plus its a bit complicated for first time users, also on my other tv PC, I always use the Generic drivers because it works with tv-out s-video on my video card.

ttuuxxx
Last edited by ttuuxxx on Sun 14 Jun 2009, 18:43, edited 1 time in total.
http://audio.online-convert.com/ <-- excellent site
http://samples.mplayerhq.hu/A-codecs/ <-- Codec Test Files
http://html5games.com/ <-- excellent HTML5 games :)

Joe J
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Picpuz

#29 Post by Joe J »

Picpuz displays an error message when started. I fixed it by changing lines 33 and 34 of picpuz.cpp as follows and compiling:

Code: Select all

char        imagedirk[maxfcc] = "/usr/share/backgrounds";                                        //  image directory
char        clfile[maxfcc] = "default.jpg";
The original source code can be downloaded from http://puppylinux.com/sources/puppy-220plus/. Just replace the picpiz program binary in /usr/local/picpuz with the new picpuz binary.

I also had to modify the .desktop file in /usr/share/applications as follows

Code: Select all

[Desktop Entry]
Name=Picpuz Jigsaw Puzzle
Type=Application
Terminal=false
Exec=/usr/local/picpuz/picpuz
Icon=/usr/local/picpuz/icons/picpuz.png
Categories=Game
Then run

Code: Select all

fixmenus
in console and restart JWM (Menu-Shutdown-Restart JWM).

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ecomoney
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#30 Post by ecomoney »

Rcrsn51 has written some excellent install scripts that should work from the command line (and also incedently make it very easy to install puppy linux to a hard drive on a dedicated machine)

Download
http://www.murga-linux.com/puppy/viewto ... h&id=19138

Documentation
http://www.murga-linux.com/puppy/viewtopic.php?t=42660
http://www.murga-linux.com/puppy/viewtopic.php?t=42876
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BarryK
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#31 Post by BarryK »

OlddogNewtricks wrote:tempestuous wrote

what are your opinions about Puppy 2.12-2.16 vs Puppy218 vs ttuuxxx's 214X2?

I feel ttuuxxx's 214X2 is on a par with older pups, & feels perkier than 2.18, It still has features like the seperate ZDRV sfs file which can be dumped once you've set up for your machine & a remastering script that allows you to produce a new pup_xxx.sfs easily. (dougal's work here I believe). I've always frugall installed, so a simple remaster & replacement of the pup_xxx.sfs file is what I love about puppy. I' ve never used a pup save file so I can tinker away knowing a reboot (which literally takes seconds with puppy) brings everything back the way it was. A superb linux learning tool.
My old (3 years!) computer has a 2.5 ghz cpu & 256 ram which I could easily upgrade to 1-2 gb but why should I, that's the microsoft way.
Keep It Small & Simple

Well done Barry & everybody else involved in this tiny marvel.

phew!! thats my 10 pence worth.
218 can also be built with a separate zdrv. It's just a choice made in the Woof build script.
[url]https://bkhome.org/news/[/url]

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BarryK
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#32 Post by BarryK »

tempestuous wrote:
BarryK wrote:That is deliberate, the 'init' script has changed the test so that the sfs file only gets copied to ram if it is over 256MB.
The reason was, on a system without swap partition/file, it wasn't really leaving enough space for apps to run.
OK, that's good to know.
I think it's worth throwing in some historical perspective:

I have been following Puppy's development since version 1.02 in 2005. Puppy's technical foundation of copying the compressed filesystem to RAM was unique amongst live CD distributions. DamnSmallLinux could be forced to load into RAM with the "toram" boot option, but this was uncompressed to RAM, not compressed to RAM.
It was clear that the Puppy approach achieved the successful use of the most powerful applications with the least amount of RAM ...
of course back in those days Puppy was 50MB, and 128MB RAM was (just) adequate.

I take the point that in Puppy's current form 256MB RAM is not quite sufficient to run Puppy completely in RAM, but in such cases we now have a significantly different situation where the compressed filesystem is stored on the hard drive or flash drive, not RAM.

To my mind this raises a big question:
In situations where the computer has 256MB RAM or less, does a frugal installation offer any advantage over a full installation? Because in both cases the files are being accessed from hard drive/flash drive, and it seems logical that files would be retrieved faster from an uncompressed filesystem rather than from a compressed filesystem.

Anyone care to comment?
Well, a frugal install allows easy install and uninstall of SFS files.
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ecomoney
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#33 Post by ecomoney »

Easy SFS Install 0.1.1 by dejan555

The frugal install/compressed layered filesystem offers much flexibility/advantages, and deals with the lowest hardware spec very well. Computer RAM (and Disk) sizes have increased significantly faster than the size of Puppy over the last five years though.

Perhaps there is a case now, for higher end computers, to have the sfs files stored uncompressed to hard disk. This would give similar speed advantages to a FULL install, plus the convenience advantages of the frugal sfs model. This could be done at first puppy shutdown where the option of saving the .sfs to the hard disk is given when saving the pup_save.2fs.

At higher ram levels (512mb/1gb + which Ive found are not uncommon nowadays even for "recycled" kit), then the sfs could be loaded already uncompressed into RAM?

As puppy linux is designed to be "friendly for linux newbies", these decisions would also need to be automated, (checking available disk space/RAM first) so that the default values for optimum speed are discovered and already set in the rc.shutdown script, with the option to change them so advanced users could still "tweak".

This way, to my thinking, would still allow puppy to run as it has on older "hardware-challenged" p.c.'s while allowing it to take full advantage of the higher capacities of newer computers.
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8-bit
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#34 Post by 8-bit »

I just thought I would try going the other way and try booting a frugal install on a Compaq Presario 3 gigs ram AMD Athalon X2 4800 dual core with Invidia GeForce 6150 SE Graphics.
I had to select Vesa for graphics and my sound card was not found.
But I could access the SATA hard drive as well as the PATA hard drive.
Also, Gxine was able to go straight to full screen with no problem just by pressing 'F'.

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nubc
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#35 Post by nubc »

Have to say ugh to the yellow and brown color scheme in pup2-2.18.1. So why does this pup2 use kernel 2.6.18.1 when Puppy 2.17.1 official uses 2.6.21.1? The version of GParted in pup2 is 0.3.3, with which I had a serious hdd detection problem on a common Dell laptop (Latitude CPx 650 mhz p3), suggesting a more recent version of GParted would be advisable. For FLV playback with gxine I had to run alsaconf to get sound. Suggestion: Put a Pfind shortcut on desktop. Usability insight: move the lock icon away from the upper right corner. If things freeze and user is trying to close windows, the last thing user needs is a residual click on lock.

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01micko
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#36 Post by 01micko »

Lobster wrote: Tried a full install on the laptop
this failed at the Grub stage
Not sure if the HD is faulty (very likely)
or it did not like the XP filesystem/boot area

So maybe someone else will try an install . . .
Hi Lobster,

I did a full install successfully to my K6.

I did it like this.
  • Booted pfix=ram, had an empty HDD, and used gparted to create a swap and a couple of ext2 partitions, but you could use ext3 if you want and as many or as few as 1partitions.

    Installed GRUB, obviously there was nothing to enter in the menu.lst and nothing for grub to find but it installs ok anyway.

    Ran universal installer and proceeded in the usual way, until you get to the grub stage where you choose add an entry. Finish the installer, open the menu.lst file and the NEWGRUB.TXT file in /tmp and copy the contents of NEWGRUB.TXT to your menu.lst in the appropriate place.
Works well. :wink:

Cheers
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01micko
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#37 Post by 01micko »

OK, now posting from the 486, transplanted the HDD from said previous full install. It works. But not too fast :) . It requires much patience (or a few beers) but nevertheless it works!

I downloaded Elinks because Seamonkey wouldn't have a hope on these specs, 50MHz cpu, 32MB ram, 130MB swap.

I would not recommend doing this. 216_fat_free-dillo from big_bass ran faster.

Cheers
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BarryK
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#38 Post by BarryK »

nubc wrote:Have to say ugh to the yellow and brown color scheme in pup2-2.18.1. So why does this pup2 use kernel 2.6.18.1 when Puppy 2.17.1 official uses 2.6.21.1?
If I recall rightly, some people liked the older kernel more. Also that's what 214 uses I think.

But 218+ could be built with the 2.6.21.1 kernel if required.

I have made some relevant posts on my blog:

http://puppylinux.com/blog/?viewDetailed=00818
http://puppylinux.com/blog/?viewDetailed=00819

Any 218+ is there for anyone interested. I have moved on, now working on continuation of the 4.x series.
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OlddogNewtricks
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#39 Post by OlddogNewtricks »

BarryK wrote:
But 218+ could be built with the 2.6.21.1 kernel if required.
That would get my vote but others would say why not upgrade pup 3. Note, my 2.17 kernel shows 2.6.21.5

I hardly ever boot from a live cd thanks to frugal installing but tried 2.18 in a spare moment. It wouldn't let me unmount & eject the cd. I take it thats because I only have 256mb of ram.

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earlytv
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#40 Post by earlytv »

Frugal install 2.18, 2.14R V11 on system also.
2.18 Seamonkey very unstable on my system?
www.ebay.com worst at causing seamonkey to quit?
Any solutions?

I use Road Runner for internet service.
RR tops out at 20meg bits per sec on speed tests.
Is fast speed the cause of seamonkey quit?
Retired from GM, a Etech on engine electronics
Like to play with older computers and TVs

DENNIS

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