Wikka Pages - installing Puppy Linux from Windows

[cobaka]

Woof to all!

I wish to add some information to the Wikka pages about the process of installing Puppy Linux for the first time using Windows and MS Windows apps.

I made this move only once; my experience is limited to that single installation Luckily the process was successful and, in my case, without a single snag. Oh joyful delirium! I do recall I used Nero Burning and that app has the capability to burn a bootable *.iso CD. This immediately raises several Q's. What if the target PC lacks a CD drive? What if the target PC has a CD burner app that will not burn an *.iso file. And so on ....

We Puppians need a method that can bring the average Windows user (often a non-technical type) across to the Puppy universe!
The method should use commonly available apps that can install a bootable *.iso package to CD or thumb-drive.
BTW - this is available, stock standard in Puppy Linux from the desktop Applications menu. Once a basic Puppy is running - the process is simpler the second time around.
Now an observation: Some of the Puppies from older kennels work well enough but lack the ability to run a browser to down-load the iso file you (or the potential Windows convert) need. Lots of small gotcha's along the way.

C'mon Puppians! I'm depending on you . I'm need info about how you migrated from Microsoft Windows to Puppy Linux.
Help another Windows user step over the Rubicon today! Don't forget to describe your system and the pitfalls you overcame on the way.

cobaka.

Edit: There is a link on the Wikka: Puppy Linux Windows Installer - LICK v1.3.3 released here: http://www.murga-linux.com/puppy/viewtopic.php?t=61404 dating from 2010. It may still work; I don't know. I don't have a Windows box to try the method.

[bigpup]

If you want to install Puppy alongside Windows on the internal drive of a computer.
Have it boot to a menu, where you select to boot Puppy or boot Windows.
Using Lick program is the only easy way to do it.
That is what Lick program was designed to do and do it very well.
Yes, it is still good to use Lick.
The age of the program is not important, only using the latest version of Lick is what you need to do.
The best link for Lick is here:
https://github.com/noryb009/lick/tree/v1.3.3
The old forum topic for Lick is still good info:
http://www.murga-linux.com/puppy/viewtopic.php?t=61404

Basically Lick is a Windows exe program, that you download and run in Windows.
It takes a Puppy iso and does a frugal install on the internal drive of the computer.
It makes a entry, in the Windows boot loader menu, for booting the Puppy you installed.
When the computer boots, you now have option to boot Windows or Puppy.
The Puppy install works like a normal frugal install, using a save file for Puppy storage.

Making a Puppy Live CD/DVD using a Windows program.
Any Windows program that is designed for writing to a CD or DVD can do it.
Windows may already have a CD/DVD burning program or you can get one from the internet.
Too many to list, but should easily find one you like for free.
Simply do a Puppy iso image burn to a CD or DVD, making it a live Puppy CD/DVD.
Just make sure to select image burn or iso image burn, for type, in the CD/DVD writing program.

Installing Puppy to a USB by using a Windows program.
There are many USB installer programs, on the internet, for doing installs to a USB drive, using a Puppy iso file.
They will make a Puppy Live USB install.
Here are a few of them:

UNetbootin to install to USB
(has Linux or Windows version)
http://unetbootin.sourceforge.net/

Rufus USB installer
(Runs in Windows)
https://rufus.akeo.ie/

Etcher
(has Linux or Windows version)
https://www.balena.io/etcher/

NOTE:
These USB installers do not know about the different Puppy Linux boot options, that can be added to a boot menu entry.
They may add a option that is wrong or not needed.
If having any boot problems.
Look on the USB for the boot loader config file.
syslinux.cfg
grub.cfg
Or something similar.

Open the file in a text editor.
Look at the entries for added options.
Change the option or just remove it will fix most boot issues.

Boot options:
pfix=ram ->this keeps save from being loaded.
pfix=nox ->keeps X server from starting and boots to prompt.

Boot device identifiers:
Says use boot process for booting from a specific drive.
pmedia=cd -> this says booting from a CD.
pmedia=usbflash ->Booting from a USB flash drive.
pmedia=atahd or usbhd ->booting from a hard drive internal or USB.

[Jafadmin]

I just tell everyone to use unetbootin. That produces a proper bootable USB with puppy on it. From that point forward, use the Puppy tools to create other puppies.

I specifically tell people not to use the "Burn ISO to USB" method which creates a USB that thinks it "might be" a cdrom. I won't support this methodology in any way shape or form. It is a train wreck in process.

[cobaka]

Hi @Jafadmin

I haven't used unetbootin, but I'll certainly include it on the page about 'installation'.
Generally I want to document Puppy-based stand-alone, GUI-based apps.
Before writing I'll use unetbootin a number of times myself. For me - documentation must be both concise & accurate.

I'm starting to think about the best format for presentation: One smaller page with a link to each topic (unetbootin, bootflash, direct copying ...) OR one large page with clearly marked areas for a each topic. I'm leaning toward the first, with a menu to select topics of interest. The reason? Documentation should follow the same principle as software subroutines: A single entry/exit point to a single well-defined entity. That way others can edit any page and know their mod is complete and self-contained. This work is part of a Wikka, of course.

Thanks vy much for identifying the topic 'unetbootin.
I know other here speak well (or write well) about this app.

cobaka.

[bigpup]

Generally I want to document Puppy-based stand-alone, GUI-based apps.

The title of this topic is installing Puppy Linux from Windows.

Talking about installers made to run in Puppy is not the subject of the topic.

The only specifically Puppy installer, made to run in Windows, is Lick!