Linux minimal install - Knoppix 6.2

After just 2 days, I had to dump the Ubuntu 9.10 minimal and go back to Knoppix because the computer kept freezing. Here are my notes for this 3rd re-install of Knoppix.

Here are the magic numbers for this install:
Memory on idle mode:
Used: 55mb, Free: 184mb
on swap space -
Used: 0mb, 1027mb

Kernel: 2.6.31.6 - based on the Knoppix live CD
---
enabling flash:

sudo su
apt-get update
apt-get install flashplugin-nonfree

reboot

in iceweasel, make sure to allow youtube full access - if you have noScript add-on

---
setting correct time:
source: Knoppix forum thread

get your time server nearest your location: Clock servers (www.pool.ntp.org)

sudo su
-- get your timezone

dpkg-reconfigure tzdata

-- edit the autoconfig file and put in your timezone
line 357 from to or whatever location

leafpad /etc/init.d/knoppix-autoconfig

-- install ntpdate

apt-get install ntpdate
leafpad /etc/default/ntpdate

changes:
NTPDATE_USE_NTP_CONF=no
NTPSERVERS="0.asia.pool.ntp.org 1.asia.pool.ntp.org 2.asia.pool.ntp.org 3.asia.pool.ntp.org"

Minimal Install - Ubuntu 9.10 LXDE on a 256mb RAM Intel Celeron desktop

These are my notes on this install. A working Internet connection is a must, the faster, the better - especially for step 2 with about 100mb+ worth of downloads to do.
I tried several distros based on Ubuntu 10.04 but for some reason, the video always gets borked. And wanting a kernel more recent than Knoppix 6.2, I settled for Ubuntu 9.10 - having a kernel 2.6.31-14 after installation, and a 2.6.31-22 after the post-install update.

1. Followed instructions here BUT only up to the point where you do a reboot (currently step 21).
2. On a terminal window, type the following in sequence:

sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get -y install xorg xinit gdm lxde network-manager-gnome abiword gnumeric update-manager

Compared to the author's original script, this list of packages is more bare-bone for my specific need, that is, to have a desktop whose primary purpose is to be a router for my Internet access, can do wordprocessing and spreadsheets, can do surfing for non-flash websites like Facebook, no need for multimedia - take away alsa, no need for games...
For a future experiment, if ever, instead of the gdm package - which required a whopping 89mb download - try the slim login manager instead.

3. Reboot the computer.
4. During login, right before entering the password, select LXDE in the session dropdown.
LXDE shaves off about 20mb RAM compared to GNOME

5. Fix the network manager applet so it shows in the LXDE bottom panel.
Type in a terminal window:

gksu leafpad  /etc/xdg/autostart/nm-applet.desktop

Then edit the OnlyShowIn option to be like:

OnlyShowIn=GNOME;XFCE;LXDE

6. Save the file and again reboot. The network manager applet should now appear in the panel.
7. Fix the "device not managed" for the wired network connection.
Again, in a terminal window:

gksu leafpad /etc/network/interfaces

then comment out the two lines under the primary network interface, like so:

#auto eth0
#iface eth0 inet dhcp

8. Install a lightweight browser. This is a toss-up right now, so I installed two browsers.

sudo apt-get install epiphany-browser midori

end of install

9. Configure the shared Internet connection. and yes (!) it works.

If this lasts 1 month of operations, it may seem I finally got the silver bullet.

Ubuntu on Low Memory Systems

Tested this exercise on a Xubuntu Alternate CD. According to the Ubuntu documentation, any variant of Ubuntu's alternate CDs will work.

1. Change the mode of installation to "command-line install"
2. Do the routine install.
3. Edit the sources; uncomment the debian packages (partner, restricted)
sudo nano /etc/apt/sources.list
4. Perform update and upgrade (requires Internet connection to download packages); apptocd is another approach, but I haven't tested that.
sudo aptitude update
sudo aptitude upgrade

At this point, decide if you need a GUI.

Hitting a wall...

Went home somewhat dejected tonight after failing to install samba in my minimal install.
Perhaps the clue lies somewhere with a missing package - nautilus-share ?

from an ubuntu forum post.

OR probably this package: system-config-samba
from this post.

need to check my packages tomorrow or Friday -
1) to create a package list file
"dpkg --get-selections > installed-software"

How to rebuild your packages from a previous install? Got this from the forum, too.

better to check this out, too. ubuntu forum post on low memory systems.

the Actual minimal install

1. Install the minimal CD, using default settings - post #1
2. Install the prescribed packages:

sudo apt-get -y install gnome-core gdm network-manager-gnome fast-user-switch-applet \
human-theme x11-xserver-utils tangerine-icon-theme gnome-themes-ubuntu ubuntu-artwork \
jockey-gtk gnome-screensaver gnome-utils

then restart.

3. Enable the Network manager - post #65
"... remove (or comment) the options below "primary network interface" in /etc/network/interfaces"; you must get the ethernet card's MAC address via ifconfig -a in a terminal window.

then restart again.

4. Packages installed:
- epiphany-browser (via Synaptic)
- hplip (HP printer drivers) : got this from the HP HPLIP link, downloaded and used the installer

The hplip installer also detected and auto-installed missing packages, notably build-essential.

Minimal Install of Ubuntu 9.04

going into a deeper relationship with Ubuntu... since last week, I had tried different distros (e.g. Arch Linux, Mepis) in the office, looking for a leaner linux. To the credit of Ubuntu, it was the only one, in my opinion, that didn't require too much struggle from my newbie perspective.

the minimal CD of Ubuntu vs. Arch Linux - the former wins... for now.

these are my notes for a minimal installation - a good application can be for old desktops with low (e.g. 256mb) memory that you can use as a print server.

links:

1. ubuntu forum how-to by TheShiv
2. minimal cd for Ubuntu - Jaunty, Intrepid, etc.

TheShiv also posted a very comprehensive write-up how to create your own local repositories at post # 43 and installing Skype at post #53.

Another contributor for the same thread provided a link how to install the lightweight windows manager FluxBox for the minimal install at post # 23.