Newbies - Puppy needs YOUR help too!

Booting, installing, newbie
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Louis Lavery
Posts: 2
Joined: Mon 17 Sep 2012, 19:42

#826 Post by Louis Lavery »

I've just started using puppy and think it's great. Only downside so far is SeaMonkey (1.1.18), I'm really going to have to upgrade, but that's a two stage process from what I've read. It would have been better if I didn't have to do this upgrade, especially as I'm just starting to learn about linux. I'm using puppy 4.3.1, as that's what I thought I was supposed to do. Perhaps I should have started with some other version, I mean so as to get a better version of SeaMonkey?
But that's the only complaint I've got, I really like the system especially being able to boot from a CD, so thanks to the guys who made this possible.
Regards, Louis.

cthisbear
Posts: 4422
Joined: Sun 29 Jan 2006, 22:07
Location: Sydney Australia

#827 Post by cthisbear »

Louis Lavery"

Welcome to Puppy mate.

Post your hardware specs.
If it is old and low spec there are other versions of Puppy 4.31

""

Official 4.3.2

http://murga-linux.com/puppy/viewtopic.php?t=54082

Last page...James C

" Still using a full install of 432 v3 for my backup os....
still as solid as when I installed way back when it was released.

Not flashy but it just keeps on working. :)
No problem keeping the browsers updated....
Firefox 9.0.1, SeaMonkey 2.6.1 and Opera 11.60.

Chris.

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James C
Posts: 6618
Joined: Thu 26 Mar 2009, 05:12
Location: Kentucky

#828 Post by James C »

cthisbear wrote:Louis Lavery"

Welcome to Puppy mate.

Post your hardware specs.
If it is old and low spec there are other versions of Puppy 4.31

""

Official 4.3.2

http://murga-linux.com/puppy/viewtopic.php?t=54082

Last page...James C

" Still using a full install of 432 v3 for my backup os....
still as solid as when I installed way back when it was released.

Not flashy but it just keeps on working. :)
No problem keeping the browsers updated....
Firefox 9.0.1, SeaMonkey 2.6.1 and Opera 11.60.

Chris.
For what it's worth, I'm still running it with no problems and with Firefox 15,SeaMonkey 2.12 and Opera 12 ....it just keeps on working. :)

Dewbie

#829 Post by Dewbie »

Louis Lavery wrote:
I've just started using puppy and think it's great. Only downside so far is SeaMonkey 1.1.18, I'm really going to have to upgrade, but that's a two stage process from what I've read.
You have a couple more options, too...courtesy of shinobar:
1. Update SeaMonkey. (An SFS, so it won't eat up your save file.)
2. Update to 431JP, 2012 edition.

Edit:
Active link for Official 4.3.2 is here:
http://www.lamiaworks.com.au/puppy_isos.html
Last edited by Dewbie on Tue 18 Sep 2012, 09:15, edited 1 time in total.

Louis Lavery
Posts: 2
Joined: Mon 17 Sep 2012, 19:42

#830 Post by Louis Lavery »

Thanks for the quick replies. Between you I think you've given me enough info to keep me busy for a while, it's also given me confidence to do a little experimenting with the systems, thanks. Although I like to keep it simple (KISS as they say in my trade, I write in C++).

@cthisbear: I've a Dell Latitude x300 (love the machine). Not sure what specs you want but have got this off "System Information".

Intel(R) Pentium(R) M processor 1.40GHz
Memory 634468 kB
-Display- Resolution : 1024x768 pixels
X11 Vendor : The X.Org Foundation
Audio Adapter : ICH4 - Intel 82801DB-ICH4
SynPS/2 Synaptics TouchPad
AT Translated Set 2 keyboard
-SCSI Disks-
ATA HTS548040M9AT00
SAMSUNG CDRW/DVD SN-324S

I've actually got 2.5 x300s (the 0.5 is a busted machine used for spares) and intend trying things out. I need to run Windows xp/7 as that's what my software (that I write for to earn dosh) runs on most of the time. At present I use one machine for work, I boot to puppy from cd or to windows from hd.
I'll use the second machine for experiments, but always with the intention of keeping the system snug. So if you've any ideas, please let me know.

Thanks, Louis.

Dewbie

#831 Post by Dewbie »

Louis Lavery wrote:
Intel(R) Pentium(R) M processor 1.40GHz
Memory 634468 kB
Plenty of power there, for either Lucid, Slacko or Wary. :)
It's a matter of which one works best and/or which one you prefer.

cthisbear
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Location: Sydney Australia

#832 Post by cthisbear »


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rjbrewer
Posts: 4405
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Location: merriam, kansas

#833 Post by rjbrewer »

Pentium M is a great processor, but avoid any Puppy that
uses an affectation known as the PAE kernel, it will not
work.

Inspiron 700m, Pent.M 1.6Ghz, 1Gb ram.
Msi Wind U100, N270 1.6>2.0Ghz, 1.5Gb ram.
Eeepc 8g 701, 900Mhz, 1Gb ram.
Full installs

RaptureWatcher
Posts: 22
Joined: Wed 05 Sep 2012, 06:49

#834 Post by RaptureWatcher »

i have been using Slacko Puppy 5.3.3 for about a month or so now and i think it is great! The Internet works far better in Slacko than in Puppy Lucid 5.2.8 or in Racy Puppy so i do see a forward improvement!!

though i would like to see Slacko come in a studio iso file that includes all of the software already installed on it so i dont have to download the extra packages, maybe as an option to the normal Slacko iso file.

Also with the SFs files there is a maximum load of only 6 SFs files, i dont understand SFs that well but i would think if there was a larger number i wouldn't have to worry about getting rid of some to get some SFs loaded. It will just make it a bit easier.

Also i have been testing Fatdog64 and i think that Slacko could learn some things from the ultraquick Fatdog64, maybe we could see a Fatdog32 version of Slacko in the future?

Just my 2cents worth

darussell
Posts: 7
Joined: Thu 04 Oct 2012, 16:53

A Newbie

#835 Post by darussell »

I'm a retired AT&Ter who (years ago) dabble in UNIX. Been nothing but Windows for years, but recently my new son-in-law (from New Zealand) introduced me to Xubuntu, which I promptly loaded on a little SONY UX-180P (UMPC.) That caused me to turn to my trusty old Toshiba Libretto. With only 64Mb RAM, I knew Xubuntu wouldn't cut it, so I looked at DSL (it fired up all the PCMCIA CDROM and floppies) but left me otherwise unimpressed. Then I turned to Puppy Linux.

To install I had to remove the hard drive and put it in a desktop. I will confess, I wnt through the process multiple times over several days, as I found all the Googled instructions either faulty or lacking. However, at long last I got it working; Puppy 4.1.2.

I haven't wrestled yet with getting the PCMCIA devices working, but (unlike DSL) I was able to get wireless network connectivity with an old Microsoft MN720 PCMCIA card. I've got the desktop resized to the Libretto's 800x480, but it is causing me difficulty with some of the built-in apps that go off the botttom of the screen. Seamonkey suffices, but does come to a screaming halt when I encounter sites with excessive scripting.

I've tried downloading Opera and Firefox, but haven't had any luck getting them to work (remember I'm a Newbie!) Any helpful tips or advice would be greatly appreciated.

For any interested Libretto eyes, battery life with my old battery is 2+ hours (DSL was almost double that!)

Anyway, looking forward to making friendships and learning further re: Puppy Linux. BTW, should I investigate 4.3?

starhawk
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Location: Everybody knows this is nowhere...

#836 Post by starhawk »

Does this Libretto have a model number, so we can look up specifications?

64mb RAM is really, really, REALLY low spec. Puppy needs about 256mb at the very bare minimum, 512mb to be really comfortable. You want to either upgrade RAM or put in a generous amount of swap space (format part of the drive as linux-swap).

Puppyt
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Location: Moorooka, Queensland
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#837 Post by Puppyt »

Hi darussell -
I wish you every success with your project! A member known as "Libretto100ct" got close to doing a Puppy for Librettos, but I don't know if he ever uploaded the ISO for others to use. I think he left the forums some time ago :( . This is the thread which you might find useful, and there are some more recent alternative suggestions - libretto pup? http://www.murga-linux.com/puppy/viewtopic.php?t=40512.
If you get further, here is another informative post - installing puppy on a Libretto L1/060tncm with pmcia CDdrive http://www.murga-linux.com/puppy/viewtopic.php?t=20075.
This is a useful starting point perhaps -http://puppylinux.org/wikka/Barebones. I mucked about a bit myself with low-end hardware, maybe this thread could be of help to you- http://www.murga-linux.com/puppy/viewtopic.php?t=48214
- and a last tip - http://www.wellminded.com/puppy/pupsearch.html is I think the best search engine for the puppy forums.

P.S. Welcome to the kennels!
Search engines for Puppy
[url]http://puppylinux.us/psearch.html[/url]; [url=https://cse.google.com/cse?cx=015995643981050743583%3Aabvzbibgzxo&q=#gsc.tab=0]Google Custom Search[/url]; [url]http://wellminded.net63.net/[/url] others TBA...

darussell
Posts: 7
Joined: Thu 04 Oct 2012, 16:53

4.1.2 on Libretto

#838 Post by darussell »

It's a Toshiba Libretto 110CT, a 233MHz Pentium with 64Mb RAM. I've swapped out the hard drive multiple times, but the one currently u=in support of Puppy is a 6Gb. I'm a sucker for small electronics, as I;ve had this Libretto for more than a decade, and I'm trying to further extend its life and productivity. I've done likewise with my little Sony VAIO UX-180P (UMPC) having replaced Windows XP with Xubuntu. I've still got a little IBM PC110 (only sold in Japan) that's about 4"x6"x1.5" that I've got booting and running off a CF. It's a slow 486 that someday maybe I'll investigate some sort of Linux offshoot for play.

Anyway, thanks for the urls; I'll give them a try as soon as possible. Still chasing the missing Menu/Taskbar....

Appreciate your help!

darussell
Posts: 7
Joined: Thu 04 Oct 2012, 16:53

Puppy on Libretto

#839 Post by darussell »

Forgot to mention: 64Mb RAM is limit on this platform. If you're adventurous, I'm aware of some over-clocking schemes that will take you to 96Mb RAM, but that's it. So far, Puppy doing OK on 64Mb.

Libretto core machine is equipped with two PCMCIA slots. Addl docking station adds two more PCMCIAs as well as a USB, PS/2 mouse, VGA aux, etc. I've got working PCMCIA floppy disk drive and CDROM. Haven't been able to get either working under Puppy, but both fired up under DSL.

darussell
Posts: 7
Joined: Thu 04 Oct 2012, 16:53

Puppy on Libretto

#840 Post by darussell »

Well, I re-installed Puppy 4.1.1 on my Libretto, and (by choosing a generic video, rather than the detected NeoMagic Video card) I now have the Menu/Taskbar back. The only drawback is the 640x480 display, rather than the preferred 800x480. Plus this time it is picking up my USB on the docking station. Also still recognizing the wireleass card in one of the two PCMCIAS slots on the computer, but doesn't see the two PCMCIAs in the docking station.

Progress, nonetheless!

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darkcity
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#841 Post by darkcity »

Glad your making progress, interesting that Puppy works on such a low powered computer. 8)

darussell
Posts: 7
Joined: Thu 04 Oct 2012, 16:53

Libretto with working Puppy 4.1.1

#842 Post by darussell »

Seems to work OK, so far. The only remaining problems are trying to get it to recognize my PCMCIA-driven floppy and CDROM, and the display continues to be trouble. As I mentioned, if I use a "generic" VGA, I get a proper screen display; it just doesn't use all the available 800x480 screen. It seems (not matter what the selected screen display size, several of the Puppy built-ins (like PPM) seem to completely ignore my screen parameters and extend off-screen, hiding information and selection choices.

darussell
Posts: 7
Joined: Thu 04 Oct 2012, 16:53

Puppy 4.1.1 on Libretto 110CT

#843 Post by darussell »

OK. Found this fix w/Google. Display now seems correct and working. Only PCMCIA CDROM & floppy to go....

Ok these are the directions for setting up the screen display on the libretto 110/100. No cut off at bottom of screen or menu.

Setup
Xorg video wizard
Edit xorg conf

Now edit these lines:

Section "monitor"
Display Size 160 100 # mm (Remove the # from in front of the line or in Linux speak uncomment it)
Identifier "Monitor0"
Vendor Name "TOS"
Model Name "5084"
Horiz Sync 31.5-48.5
Vert Refresh 56-72


Option "DisplayHeight480" (Remove the # from in front of the line or in Linux speak uncomment it)

Identifier "Screen0"
Device "Card0"
Monitor "Monitor0"
Default Depth 16
Subsection "Display"
Depth 16
Modes "800x480"
End Subsection

After editing save it.

Then hold down Ctrl/Alt and hit back space.

At the prompt, type "startx" . This will bring up your new display.

Pretty sweet graphics on this ancient Laptop.

dogbert0360
Posts: 27
Joined: Sun 30 Sep 2012, 03:18

#844 Post by dogbert0360 »

I'm fairly new to Puppy Linux and have posted a few topics throughout this forum. But I'm going to list some things that I would like to see improved. Of course some of these have been covered by others.

1) "Dependencies Issues" - This by far needs to be addressed and taken care of once and for all. Nothing frustrates a new Puppy user than when trying to install their favorite piece of software, and then greeted by a huge list of lib files to hunt down. This is inexcusable and should be a thing of the past.

2) "Better installation notifier" - When installing software there needs to be a clear and understanding knowledge that the software is being installed. Not just a few simple blurb windows that appears and disappears, but a window that has a indicator bar showing the user that it is being installed and is finished when done.


3) One other thing that I found odd was removing a piece of software that came with the Puppy Linux I had installed, and noticing that it also removed an important lib file that other pieces of software depended upon. This too needs to be corrected. The user should be able to uninstall any piece of software without malice whether it came pre-installed or not.


4) "Better upgrade-ability" - This I know has been mentioned before and I would like to see this made easier and less problematic.

5) The ability to update drivers and software through "Slickpet". This would ensure the latest drivers are available to the user to install.

6) "Muiltimedia" install option in Slickpet. This could install media stuff like gstreamer or other media necessities. Kind of like "Restricted Extras" in Ubuntu.


If anyone else has any other points for this list feel free to add on.

iluminameluna
Posts: 30
Joined: Thu 20 Oct 2011, 07:33

Versions of Puppies: how to choose

#845 Post by iluminameluna »

Louis Lavery wrote:I'm using puppy 4.3.1, as that's what I thought I was supposed to do. Perhaps I should have started with some other version, I mean so as to get a better version of SeaMonkey?
But that's the only complaint I've got, I really like the system especially being able to boot from a CD, so thanks to the guys who made this possible.
Regards, Louis.
Glad you found your way here, Louis! I did too, abt a year ago & I keep finding myself back here after taking a tour with Ubuntu & then Lubuntu.

I wanted to address the issue of how to choose a version of Puppy to use that will work best for what you need and taking into consideration what your resources (hardware) can handle.

After reading countless forum posts on all kinds of questions, I started a thread (don't ask, I can't tell, 'cause I forgot!) for newbies who got as lost as I did last year just setting up wireless internet using a USB modem. Argh!

I went & found that thread some days back & discovered that all those issues had become moot (YAY! for newbies!) which is a great thing but I find that I still have NO clue as to which distro of Puppy will work the best with my little beast.

I don't know what the answer might be for figuring it out but I did have a good suggestion in the #puppylinux channel of the irc.freenode.net from a Mr. Frickss (he suggested Slacko 'cause I want to use Chromium as my browser).

I will go and try it out but in the meantime I've done a frugal install of Wary Puppy 5.2.2 which has ver 2.3.1 of Seamonkey, if it helps you or anyone else.

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