Muppylinux-004 (+ 005 for testing)

For talk and support relating specifically to Puppy derivatives
Message
Author
User avatar
MU
Posts: 13649
Joined: Wed 24 Aug 2005, 16:52
Location: Karlsruhe, Germany
Contact:

Muppylinux-004 (+ 005 for testing)

#1 Post by MU »

NEW version available, see:
http://www.murga-linux.com/puppy/viewtopic.php?t=13510

----------------------------------

Screenshot:

Icewm with XP-theme,
Mini-Gnome with Nautilus Filemanager (currently english only),
Mplayer (with over 40 MB of Codecs),
Wordview (running with Wine),
Muppy-Toolbox with new "SpeedWizard".

Image

Full size (1024x768, 200 kb):
http://dotpups.de/dotpups/Muppylinux/Mu ... .211-a.jpg

Details about Muppy and the basic concepts:
http://www.murga.org/~puppy/viewtopic.php?t=12160

In short:

Muppy partially supports german.
It includes all programs from Puppy 211, except those based on Seamonkey.
Instead, it uses Firefox and Sylpheed.
It has also additional programs like Java, Wine, PB-CD-ripper 1.5, mplayer, XFileExplorer, Adsl-start, upx, Icewm with 50 themes, Editor adie (can edit binary files to translate words in them), Gslapt Package installer for Slackware-Linux programs...

In Rox-filer, click on a Windows .exe to run it.
Or on a .jar, to run it with Java.
When you click on a video, you get the choice to play it full-screen, or try the xvmc-graficsdriver (supports only some cards, makes them faster and reduces processor-usage, for xorg only).


Different to Puppy, a Muppy-ISO includes two ".sfs"-files.
pup_211.sfs includes the basic system, and loads completely to Ram on a 256 MB-computer.
At startup, you get the choice to use the additional programs in "mupp_211.sfs".
These will not load to memory, but run from CD. So those are slower.

This does not matter so much, as you will not often use Wine or Java, and you need only 1 module for grafics-accelleration, not all 16.
As your CD-drive cannot be used to watch a DVD then, I included a "Speed-Wizard".
It offers to copy those 2 .sfs -files to your harddisk, for better performance and a free CD-drive.

This wizard only can be used, if you saved your settings at shutdown.

If you already used a older version of Muppy or Puppy 2.x, I highly recommend to delete or rename the following files on your harddisk:
pup_211.sfs
mupp_211.sfs
pup_save.3fs <- (this contains your personal files and settings, so do not delete, only rename it)

Do not do it, while they are in use, this could create lost entries on your harddisk.
Instead, boot Muppy with the option
puppy pfix=ram

Download (191 MB):
http://puptrix.org/isos/Muppy-004-211.iso
http://puptrix.org/isos/Muppy-004-211.iso.md5.txt

german mirror:
http://htb65.de/puppylinux/puppy-releas ... 04-211.iso
http://htb65.de/puppylinux/puppy-releas ... so.md5.txt

Servicepack for Muppy 004 (9 kb):
http://dotpups.de/dotpups/Muppylinux/Mu ... cepack.pup
Fixes an error with the Gnome-windowlist (taskbar).
Fixes an error when pup_save.3fs was not created on drives with many partitions.


You can run Gnome from
Utilities - other utilities - Gnome-2.14.2

Note, Mini-Gnome is not intended as a full desktop environment.
Muppys "Main-desktop" still is Icewm with the Xfce-taskbar/panel.
It only shall enable you to run Gnome-based applications, that rely on the included libraries.
For example the project-management program "Planner":
http://www.murga.org/~puppy/viewtopic.php?t=12445

Testversion 005:
http://www.murga-linux.com/puppy/viewto ... 0384#80384

Mark
Last edited by MU on Thu 07 Dec 2006, 19:57, edited 8 times in total.

User avatar
MU
Posts: 13649
Joined: Wed 24 Aug 2005, 16:52
Location: Karlsruhe, Germany
Contact:

#2 Post by MU »

---
Last edited by MU on Mon 06 Nov 2006, 12:31, edited 1 time in total.

Sage
Posts: 5536
Joined: Tue 04 Oct 2005, 08:34
Location: GB

#3 Post by Sage »

Sounds terrific, Mark. Having trouble keeping pace!
But I still need to achieve full type2 installation to HD - is this now possible? advisable?

User avatar
MU
Posts: 13649
Joined: Wed 24 Aug 2005, 16:52
Location: Karlsruhe, Germany
Contact:

#4 Post by MU »

it should be possible, at least I removed this buggy line 54.

But it would install only the basic system I think, not the mupp_211.sfs.
You would have to mount it, and copy the contents to the harddrive with XFE.

But in general, I do NOT recomment that.
Let the speedwizard copy the 2 .sfs-files.
Also copy vmlinuz and initrd.gz from the CD.

Then install grub to boot those.
Now you have a frugal harddisk-installation with all advantages over a full harddisk-installation.

Puppy never was intended for a full harddisk-installation, so DO expect bugs using that.

More info:
http://www.murga.org/~puppy/viewtopic.php?p=75752#75752

Mark

Sage
Posts: 5536
Joined: Tue 04 Oct 2005, 08:34
Location: GB

#5 Post by Sage »

OK, thanks. Never had much trouble with Puppy once it has been installed, though. Perhaps you could lump some scsi into your compilation as that would be really neat and super speedy?

User avatar
MU
Posts: 13649
Joined: Wed 24 Aug 2005, 16:52
Location: Karlsruhe, Germany
Contact:

#6 Post by MU »

more details please, I have no SCSI-drives ;)
Please tell me what files are required, and I'll add them to oo5.
Mark

GuestToo
Puppy Master
Posts: 4083
Joined: Wed 04 May 2005, 18:11

#7 Post by GuestToo »

if you start a script from a menu, a lot of the env variables are different ... for example, you can type:

set > setrxvt.txt

and diff it with a file created from a script, that was started from the menu

one thing you could try, just to see if it works, is to start Gnome from a script like this:

#!/bin/sh --login

or maybe:

#!/bin/sh
. /etc/profile
. /root/.bashrc

one of these might work, from the menu and by typing it in a console

Sage
Posts: 5536
Joined: Tue 04 Oct 2005, 08:34
Location: GB

#8 Post by Sage »

Well that's the dilemma, Mark. Please refer to recent discussion on scsi from myself, Jesse, Barry and others. Barry doesn't possess scsi HW either. I have a spare drive, but not cards and cables. Best idea is still to pick up a scrap server from some local small company and offer to dispose of it for them, gratis. With a bit of luck it should contain a decent RAID complement of drives. Try estate agents, travel agents, insurance brokers, etc - mostly they are clueless about what to do with surplus servers and are reluctant to pay commercial rates for disposal.
But the problem is which drivers to include - cf. Barry's comments, esp. in relation to the strategy of DSL. At least with Muppy you won't have to be selective, just put them all in!
If you haven't juggled with scsi before, it's a bundle of fun working out the jumper settings, terminators (older designs), calculating start-up delays, etc! Then, you've got scsi I, II, III, IV, 160, 360, fast, 50w, 68w and 80w, internal and mini-external connectors - did I forget something?
At a stroke, USB2 seems to have put the brakes on Adaptec's leverage madness!

Nevermore
Posts: 366
Joined: Sat 26 Nov 2005, 14:23
Location: Italy

#9 Post by Nevermore »

Hi Mark
i tried your puppy004 on my centrino laptop:
everthing works fine in Xvesa, but in Xorg hangs at logout..
i am gonna try it on a bunch of pc for this afternoon to check if it is a problem of my ati card ...
--
/sbin/Nevermore

User avatar
MU
Posts: 13649
Joined: Wed 24 Aug 2005, 16:52
Location: Karlsruhe, Germany
Contact:

#10 Post by MU »

Nevermore, please keep me informed :)

GuestToo:
that helped me, thanks.

Servicepack for Muppy 004 (9 kb):
http://dotpups.de/dotpups/Muppylinux/Mu ... cepack.pup

It simply replaces the first line in
/usr/local/Gnome-2.14.2/Gnome
from
#!/bin/sh
to
#!/bin/bash

Then the Gnome-taskbar works.

Mark

User avatar
MU
Posts: 13649
Joined: Wed 24 Aug 2005, 16:52
Location: Karlsruhe, Germany
Contact:

#11 Post by MU »

Just tested the 004 Iso on the problematic PC at work - now works like a charme.
With Savefile, speedwizard copying the 2 .sfs to the harddisk, and running OpenOffice.

**edit** no, OpenOffice freezes when I try to open files.. What the heck... ah I think I know, I have no swapfile and only 256 MB Ram.
Will try swap this week.
-------------

Nevermore, if you have problems with the Aticard, try the 3DCC to install the propriatary ATI-Driver.
The 3DCC is in the Iso, it will download some files then.
Startmenu - Setup - 3DCC

Mark

User avatar
pakt
Posts: 1157
Joined: Sat 04 Jun 2005, 16:54
Location: Sweden

#12 Post by pakt »

Mark, I've just been testing your great 'mini-distro' (004) and it looks good. I have already found it useful to get a file from a site that required a special java download applet for the download - worked like a charm. :)

There is a problem though when I reboot and try to create a pup_save file. When it asks where to save the file, I answer like this:

(X) hda1 Filesystem: vfat Size: 8002M Free: 1363M

then I press OK and ENTER. A lot of repeated error messages fly by saying something like "user.warn kernel" and then "hid-core.c" something. Then it just reboots - no pup_save file is created. :(

I tried this several times with the same results each time, but I don't always get the error messages.

I checked the md5sum on the CD and it was correct.
Paul

PS I also installed your Muppy 004 service pack - no difference :(
Methinks Raspberry Pi were ideal for runnin' Puppy Linux

User avatar
bobn9lvu
Posts: 173
Joined: Wed 12 Jul 2006, 03:57

Scsii hardware??

#13 Post by bobn9lvu »

Hey guys, I have a bunch of different scsii hardware, from drives to cables, and cards...
Most of it is of the older technology, but still very usable, and darned cheap :) ,
as most places are dumping this stuff to upgrade to newer faster scsii technology...

Bob 8)

User avatar
MU
Posts: 13649
Joined: Wed 24 Aug 2005, 16:52
Location: Karlsruhe, Germany
Contact:

#14 Post by MU »

Paul, does it also happen, when you don't use the additional programs?

I had errors today on the problematic PC at work, when I tried to resize pup_save.3fs.
It hanged.
So I thought something was wrong with that machine.

But your report now indicates, there still is something wrong with Muppy.
I'm out of idea at moment, as I did not modify initrd.gz.

I also had this problem on that PC:
started with the openoffice.sfs.
Could start OO, very fast.
But when I tried to open a file with it and try to navigate to the folder /mnt/home, Muppy freezed.

If I do the same with Abiword, I have no problem.

So I wonder, if that might happen only with programs in the additional .sfs files, but not in pup_211.sfs.
I will run more tests, but cannot access that computer very often, so I cannot find a solution quickly.

Mark

User avatar
MU
Posts: 13649
Joined: Wed 24 Aug 2005, 16:52
Location: Karlsruhe, Germany
Contact:

#15 Post by MU »

Thanks Bob, but I actually won't buy pieces just for tests.
I had a SCSI harddisk years ago, and it was very loud, so I would not use such a thing in a current PC.
Meanwhile 1 Gigabyte USB-sticks cost less than 20 Euro, so I will not start to fiddle around with SCSI.
If someone tells me:
"add this and that module to Muppy as I got my stuff working with it", then ok, I would do it, but I won't start tests on my own. My todo-list is too long for that ;)

Mark

User avatar
MU
Posts: 13649
Joined: Wed 24 Aug 2005, 16:52
Location: Karlsruhe, Germany
Contact:

#16 Post by MU »

Tested Muppy 004 on my notebook at work.

No errors at all.
pup_save is created on hda1 (vfat).
The 2 .sfs copied by speedwizard are used, also OpenOffice.
Saving files in /mnt/home works.

Running from the liveCD, I could go immedeatly to the internet via network (dhcpd is run at startup in lifemode).

This PC has a huge Swap-partition, so no memory-problems could occur (it has 256 MB Ram only).

1 issue though:
I could create pup_save.3fs only, if I ran the LiveCD without the option to use all programs.
When I had chosen that, Muppy found no drive to save to.
Or was it because I had mounted hda1?
Must test again.

However, this result shows, that the basic concept in general works fine.
What we must find out, why on some PCs it acts so strange.

Mark

Sage
Posts: 5536
Joined: Tue 04 Oct 2005, 08:34
Location: GB

#17 Post by Sage »

This is a very nice distro, Mark. Congratulations.

I ran 004 briefly last night from XVesa; everything seems to work.
However, it stopped at the word "shutdown" without switching off and I guess you haven't got around to the tray-opening thing, either?

As for scsi, the drives have looked and sounded (or not!) just like any other (IDE) for the last 5-6 years. I agree - don't spend any money just for testing. There must be tons of scsii scrap around. What I was suggesting was simply borrow the driver complement from DSL - everything scsi works for them and Jesse says they just loaded everything available. Probably they just got them from Klaus since they use his detection engine.

User avatar
pakt
Posts: 1157
Joined: Sat 04 Jun 2005, 16:54
Location: Sweden

#18 Post by pakt »

MU wrote:Paul, does it also happen, when you don't use the additional programs?
Mark, sorry to take so long in answering you but the forum was !*&% again...

I just have this problem on one machine and it makes no difference if I do or do not load all the programs. I have now been able to read the error message I get every time:

"Mount: Mounting ext3 on /ext3 failed: no such file or dir
Session not saved"

This is when I choose:
(X) hda1 Filesystem: vfat Size: 8002M Free: 1363M

As you see, the error message is crazy - "ext3 on /ext3" ??

Ok, just as control, I tested 2.11 "standard" on the same machine and - guess what - same error!! So it is not Muppy that is at fault :)

The partitions on that machine are:

hda1 vfat (gives the error message)
hda5 ntfs
hda6 vfat
hda7 swap
hda8 ext3 (pup_save.3fs in Muppy worked here)
hda9 ext3
hda10 ext3
hda11 ext3

Paul
Methinks Raspberry Pi were ideal for runnin' Puppy Linux

User avatar
MU
Posts: 13649
Joined: Wed 24 Aug 2005, 16:52
Location: Karlsruhe, Germany
Contact:

#19 Post by MU »

Sage, the CD ejects if you don't use the additional programs.
Using additional programs, Puppy seems to have problems to unmount mupp_211.sfs from the CD, if some processes using it are still running, so the CD will not eject.

Mark

User avatar
MU
Posts: 13649
Joined: Wed 24 Aug 2005, 16:52
Location: Karlsruhe, Germany
Contact:

#20 Post by MU »

Paul,
"ext3 on /ext3"

I've read about that in the forum yesterday I think, but don't remember where.
Here or in the developerboard.

Will search when I'm home later.
Maybe there was posted a fix, I think Barry had replied something.

Mark

Post Reply