Tiny Core Linux

Tiny Core Base => CorePlus => Topic started by: mikezuccaburg on October 18, 2018, 09:29:20 PM

Title: TinyCore Boots to a DOS Prompt
Post by: mikezuccaburg on October 18, 2018, 09:29:20 PM
Hi all,

I successfully got the .iso file installed on a USB drive with core2usb version 1.6.

I cannot get it to boot to a GUI, no matter what option I select, though.  It goes through a couple of loading screens and then ends up at a DOS prompt lookalike that starts with "tc@box".  What is/are the next steps?  I can't find anything in the book.
Title: Re: TinyCore Boots to a DOS Prompt
Post by: Rich on October 18, 2018, 09:40:57 PM
Hi mikezuccaburg
What does this command return:
Code: [Select]
showbootcodes
Title: Re: TinyCore Boots to a DOS Prompt
Post by: Misalf on October 19, 2018, 02:45:40 AM
I'd
Code: [Select]
format c:
and then make sure the tce directory was found.

If
Code: [Select]
\ls -l /etc/sysconfig/tcedir
lrwxrwxrwx 1 root root 22 Okt 19 10:21 /etc/sysconfig/tcedir -> /mnt/sda4/boot/tce-7.x
would point to a directory in  /tmp  that would mean it wasn't found and you're in "cloud mode" without extensions for this session except those you download when needed.
Title: Re: TinyCore Boots to a DOS Prompt
Post by: Rich on October 19, 2018, 06:22:13 AM
Hi mikezuccaburg
I'd
Code: [Select]
format c:
Don't do that. I hope Misalf was just kidding.

and then make sure the tce directory was found.

If
Code: [Select]
\ls -l /etc/sysconfig/tcedir
lrwxrwxrwx 1 root root 22 Okt 19 10:21 /etc/sysconfig/tcedir -> /mnt/sda4/boot/tce-7.x
would point to a directory in  /tmp  that would mean it wasn't found and you're in "cloud mode" without extensions for this session except those you download when needed.
Definitely post the result of:
Code: [Select]
ls -l /etc/sysconfig/tcedir
Title: Re: TinyCore Boots to a DOS Prompt
Post by: mikezuccaburg on October 19, 2018, 10:05:14 AM
Thanks guys.

Hi mikezuccaburg
What does this command return:
Code: [Select]
showbootcodes

initrd=/boot/core.gz loglevel=3 cde showapps lst=xfbase.1st base desktop=flwm_topside BOOT_IMAGE=/boot/vmlinuz

Misalf, I typed in the second command (did not format my C drive, ha ha).  Rather than ending in

-> /mnt/sda4/boot/tce-7.x

it ended in /tmp/tce

And had a different date/time stamp of course.
Title: Re: TinyCore Boots to a DOS Prompt
Post by: Rich on October 19, 2018, 10:11:07 AM
Hi mikezuccaburg
Try changing  cde  to  tce waitusb=5  in your bootloaders config file and renaming your  cde  directory to  tce.
.
Title: Re: TinyCore Boots to a DOS Prompt
Post by: mikezuccaburg on October 19, 2018, 12:55:23 PM
Hi mikezuccaburg
Try changing  cde  to  tce waitusb=5  in your bootloaders config file and renaming your  cde  directory to  tce.
.

I've got two folders in the flash drive - one labeled "boot" and the other labeled "tce".

I found a .cfg file in the "boot" folder which I opened with notepad.  All the instances of "waitusb" I found were set equal to 5, but there were a couple of "cde"s - should I edit those to say tce?
Title: TinyCore Boots to a DOS Prompt
Post by: coreplayer2 on October 19, 2018, 01:20:56 PM
Hello

The boot config needs only one instance of “waitusb=5” and I believe you can simply remove all references of cde




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Title: Re: TinyCore Boots to a DOS Prompt
Post by: Rich on October 19, 2018, 01:42:41 PM
Hi coreplayer2
There needs only to be one instance of “waitusb=5” and I believe you can remove all references of cde
The reason he has multiple  waitusb  and  cde  codes is because his thumbdrive has the ISO with its various menu entries.

Title: Re: TinyCore Boots to a DOS Prompt
Post by: coreplayer2 on October 19, 2018, 01:51:04 PM
That detail I missed..   
Title: Re: TinyCore Boots to a DOS Prompt
Post by: coreplayer2 on October 19, 2018, 02:41:27 PM

Code: [Select]
showbootcodes
initrd=/boot/core.gz loglevel=3 cde showapps lst=xfbase.1st base desktop=flwm_topside BOOT_IMAGE=/boot/vmlinuz


initrd=/boot/core.gz loglevel=3 cde showapps lst=xfbase.1st base desktop=flwm_topside BOOT_IMAGE=/boot/vmlinuz

This can't be right...
"cde" is not required and
neither is "base" which prevents extensions from loading, also
lst=xfbase.1st  might not help??

and "BOOT_IMAGE=" is not a valid entry afaik ??

Title: Re: TinyCore Boots to a DOS Prompt
Post by: mikezuccaburg on October 19, 2018, 05:20:58 PM

Code: [Select]
showbootcodes
initrd=/boot/core.gz loglevel=3 cde showapps lst=xfbase.1st base desktop=flwm_topside BOOT_IMAGE=/boot/vmlinuz


initrd=/boot/core.gz loglevel=3 cde showapps lst=xfbase.1st base desktop=flwm_topside BOOT_IMAGE=/boot/vmlinuz

This can't be right...
"cde" is not required and
neither is "base" which prevents extensions from loading, also
lst=xfbase.1st  might not help??

and "BOOT_IMAGE=" is not a valid entry afaik ??

Yup, that is definitely what it returned!  If there is a way to make a bootable USB with a Linux program instead of Windows, I would be willing to try it.  Perhaps core2usb is made for the other (non-CorePlus) versions.  I had tried unetbootin as I mentioned in another thread, but the documentation on the website specifically says not to use that one.

Edit:  I've just tried to mount the ISO using a virtual drive in Windows 7, it hasn't popped up with any menus.  Same thing with the virtual drive program I downloaded on Linux...is there some difference with burning the CD versus mounting an ISO?
Title: TinyCore Boots to a DOS Prompt
Post by: coreplayer2 on October 19, 2018, 11:08:45 PM
...
If there is a way to make a bootable USB with a Linux program instead of Windows, I would be willing to try it.  Perhaps core2usb is made for the other (non-CorePlus) versions.  I had tried unetbootin as I mentioned in another thread, but the documentation on the website specifically says not to use that one.

tc-install-GUI is the official installer of TinyCore and is included in the CorePlus.iso, but it's not clear if you were able to boot the cd created from coreplus.ISO to run tc-install-GUI.   Although it appears you're very close to completion of this USB installation, maybe just a few minor edits required to correct a few entries
Title: Re: TinyCore Boots to a DOS Prompt
Post by: core-user on October 20, 2018, 02:01:27 AM
 
Quote
If there is a way to make a bootable USB with a Linux program instead of Windows, I would be willing to try it

I always use dd.
Code: [Select]
sudo dd if=tc-iso of=/dev/your-usb bs=1M(Substitute the name of your .iso & USB  drive.)

There used to be a Windows version called dd.exe, but I don't know if it is still available.
Title: Re: TinyCore Boots to a DOS Prompt
Post by: coreplayer2 on October 20, 2018, 06:53:30 AM
@mikezuccaburg
Instead of starting over, why not keep this simple and make a couple small edits to the boot.cfg file?  While it's not the most desirable scenario you should be able to boot to a Desktop with your current installation



Code: [Select]
showbootcodesinitrd=/boot/core.gz loglevel=3 cde showapps lst=xfbase.1st base desktop=flwm_topside BOOT_IMAGE=/boot/vmlinuz


remove "cde" from all boot menu options & if this menu option is your desired boot option then remove "base" also
add waitusb=5 to all boot menu options
as in this example:
Code: [Select]
initrd=/boot/core.gz loglevel=3 waitusb=5 showapps lst=xfbase.1st desktop=flwm_topside
After making these edits be sure to select the same boot menu option on next boot
If you see names of extensions on screen as they are being loaded then all is good.  If not, check that this file exists
Code: [Select]
/tce/xfbase.1st
Title: Re: TinyCore Boots to a DOS Prompt
Post by: coreplayer2 on October 21, 2018, 03:12:25 PM
...
I cannot get it to boot to a GUI, no matter what option I select, though.  It goes through a couple of loading screens and then ends up at a DOS prompt lookalike that starts with "tc@box".  What is/are the next steps?  I can't find anything in the book.
After some investigating and an update to the Wiki i discovered an issue with the CorePlus*.ISO's boot config file which won't allow most options to boot to a desktop.   
The TinyCore-current and Tinycore-9.0.ISO's  work fine.

Try the attached corrected boot config file for USB drives with any CorePlus*.ISO installed.  The filename maybe different, the same file on your USB/boot/syslinux/syslinux.cfg  or USB/boot/extlinux/extlinux.cfg or something else, but don't be concerned about that just change the name of the corrected file to match and replace the existing file. 

Then reboot and all should be good
Title: Re: TinyCore Boots to a DOS Prompt
Post by: Juanito on October 22, 2018, 01:19:15 AM
I should be able to take a look at the CorePlus iso in 3-4 days time
Title: Re: TinyCore Boots to a DOS Prompt
Post by: mikezuccaburg on October 22, 2018, 01:35:55 AM
Hey guys,

So I did the following:

 - Replaced every "cde" text in boot/isolinux/isolinux.cfg with "waitusb=5".  I still had the same problem of booting to that DOSalike after selecting a version of TinyCore.

 - Tried "dd" instead of core2usb.  It returns that isolinux.bin is missing or corrupt and to insert a boot disk.

 - Mounted the .iso with a virtual drive in Linux.  No installation GUI popped up.

If anyone has any ideas (that won't damage my hardware or wipe out my primary OS) I'm willing to try them!  Thanks again to all who have posted.
Title: Re: TinyCore Boots to a DOS Prompt
Post by: mikezuccaburg on October 22, 2018, 01:37:09 AM
...
I cannot get it to boot to a GUI, no matter what option I select, though.  It goes through a couple of loading screens and then ends up at a DOS prompt lookalike that starts with "tc@box".  What is/are the next steps?  I can't find anything in the book.
After some investigating and an update to the Wiki i discovered an issue with the CorePlus*.ISO's boot config file which won't allow most options to boot to a desktop.   
The TinyCore-current and Tinycore-9.0.ISO's  work fine.

Try the attached corrected boot config file for USB drives with any CorePlus*.ISO installed.  The filename maybe different, the same file on your USB/boot/syslinux/syslinux.cfg  or USB/boot/extlinux/extlinux.cfg or something else, but don't be concerned about that just change the name of the corrected file to match and replace the existing file. 

Then reboot and all should be good

Hey Coreplayer2, for some reason the forum didn't update for me so I didn't see this post.  I will give this a shot as well.  Thanks

UPDATE:  I think the Linux USB writing app made it read-only.  It doesn't appear when inserted and won't allow me to edit the files.  I am going to do a long format of this drive with Lubuntu's disk utility and try again in the morning.
Title: Re: TinyCore Boots to a DOS Prompt
Post by: mikezuccaburg on October 22, 2018, 08:44:06 PM
...
I cannot get it to boot to a GUI, no matter what option I select, though.  It goes through a couple of loading screens and then ends up at a DOS prompt lookalike that starts with "tc@box".  What is/are the next steps?  I can't find anything in the book.
After some investigating and an update to the Wiki i discovered an issue with the CorePlus*.ISO's boot config file which won't allow most options to boot to a desktop.   
The TinyCore-current and Tinycore-9.0.ISO's  work fine.

Try the attached corrected boot config file for USB drives with any CorePlus*.ISO installed.  The filename maybe different, the same file on your USB/boot/syslinux/syslinux.cfg  or USB/boot/extlinux/extlinux.cfg or something else, but don't be concerned about that just change the name of the corrected file to match and replace the existing file. 

Then reboot and all should be good

Coreplayer2, progress of a sort.  The BIOS now does not recognize that a flash drive is inserted, though when I go into Lubuntu I can access it just fine.

I just tried a different USB stick in the same USB port and it was able to boot another OS, so I think we can rule out the BIOS and hardware.  I think the stick with TinyCore on it is fine too, though I can install it on to another one if you think that'd help.
Title: Re: TinyCore Boots to a DOS Prompt
Post by: coreplayer2 on October 23, 2018, 06:39:31 AM
Hello mikezuccaburg

What is your PS make and Model?
What is the Host Operating System?

I read in an earlier post that you were able to use "core2usb"  which is a Windows program and I'm amazed you were able to succeed with this, but there are so many other options available to you to resolve this issue..

Title: Re: TinyCore Boots to a DOS Prompt
Post by: mikezuccaburg on October 23, 2018, 07:44:36 AM
Hello mikezuccaburg

What is your PS make and Model?
What is the Host Operating System?

I read in an earlier post that you were able to use "core2usb"  which is a Windows program and I'm amazed you were able to succeed with this, but there are so many other options available to you to resolve this issue..

I have a couple of different computers.  I am trying to use TinyCore in particular on an old HP Stream with 2 gigs of ram (non-upgradeable) but I have tried to boot it on various machines.  I have Lubuntu, Mint, Fedora, Windows 7, and an outdated Mac OS to work with as well.

I have tried core2usb, the "dd" terminal entry someone else mentioned, Unetbootin (from Linux), and all have failed.  Apparently TinyCore is supposed to have its own installer but I can't get it to launch it when I mount the ISO to a virtual drive.  What else should I try?
Title: Re: TinyCore Boots to a DOS Prompt
Post by: Juanito on October 23, 2018, 08:20:27 AM
Unless mounting the iso to a virtual drive allows you to run tinycore, tc-install will not work. If mounting the iso allows you to run tinycore, then running tc-install from the cli will give you an error message that should indicate why it isn't working.

If you can burn the CorePlus iso to cd/dvd you can boot from that and use tc-install.

Since you can run other flavours of linux, you could use them to install tinycore as explained here:

http://forum.tinycorelinux.net/index.php/topic,19364.msg119228.html#msg119228

or here:

http://forum.tinycorelinux.net/index.php/topic,20939.msg130829.html#msg130829
Title: Re: TinyCore Boots to a DOS Prompt
Post by: coreplayer2 on October 23, 2018, 09:04:32 AM
I have tried core2usb, the "dd" terminal entry someone else mentioned, Unetbootin (from Linux), and all have failed.  Apparently TinyCore is supposed to have its own installer but I can't get it to launch it when I mount the ISO to a virtual drive.  What else should I try?

OK, try This Wiki step by step guide "Option 2"  http://wiki.tinycorelinux.net/wiki:install_usb_stepbystep?&#option_2

The above StepByStep guide is intended for Windows users who have a notebook without a CD/DVD drive, Option 2 is the easiest and safest
Please use the TinyCore-current.ISO for this attempt
Title: Re: TinyCore Boots to a DOS Prompt
Post by: Misalf on October 23, 2018, 02:11:23 PM
Quote
Apparently TinyCore is supposed to have its own installer [...]
I think it's quite easy to get TinyCore on a USB stick by DIY from a Linux PC if you know how little is actually to do.

I think those guides should have you covered for that. Or read the tc-install script.

Basically, format the drive (if needed) -> install bootloader (if needed) -> copy TinyCore files ... (when you know where to...) -> edit boot loader config file (can be iffy as TC stuff might seem strange *).
Edit *: at first
Title: TinyCore Boots to a DOS Prompt
Post by: coreplayer2 on October 23, 2018, 02:35:52 PM
Quote
Apparently TinyCore is supposed to have its own installer [...]
I think it's quite easy to get TinyCore on a USB stick by DIY from a Linux PC if you know how little is actually to do.

I think those guides should have you covered for that. Or read the tc-install script.
I agree, am working on it..  but a Linux method is no easier than from Windows (10) IMO and remember the step by step guide was initially aimed at windows users who have no means to boot aN ISO burned CD  which is becoming more and more frequent these days



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Title: Re: TinyCore Boots to a DOS Prompt
Post by: Misalf on October 23, 2018, 03:56:30 PM
Even as a former (and occasional) Windows user (I'm not bashing here) I always preferred to do TinyCore stuff from Linux rather than Windows. Not because of any "reasons" but because you don't need extra tools to get working and you get to know how TinyCore is structured. Meaning doing it from Linux, while or if available, might be less involved. Still, I feel like Hacker-Man after creating a bootable USB stick by running a few (tut carefully read) commands and will use them later kinda knowing what they mean; Not a point and click adventure.
Title: TinyCore Boots to a DOS Prompt
Post by: coreplayer2 on October 23, 2018, 06:45:29 PM
I always preferred to do TinyCore stuff from Linux rather than Windows.
On this point I agree entirely



Quote
Not because of any "reasons" but because you don't need extra tools to get working and you get to know how TinyCore is structured. Meaning doing it from Linux, while or if available, might be less involved. Still, I feel like Hacker-Man after creating a bootable USB stick by running a few (tut carefully read) commands and will use them later kinda knowing what they mean; Not a point and click adventure.
you’re killing me..  [emoji850]
I really don’t really want to go there..
[emoji12]


There are Linux based guided already, though I can imagine a step by step guide might ending  up equally as long as the windows S-B-S Option 1  - Expanded guide!!
 
Besides, other than a few file name and boot config edits the Wiki step by step option 2  is mostly point and click using Rufus.
When updating the wiki I was concerned that windows may have trouble mounting the ISO, boy was I wrong!!  Again point and click and the iso was mounted and accessible in the blink of an eye

Mounting an ISO might be more troublesome in early windows however...  but I’m sure there’s a command for that if I could just remember..

 
Core2usb would potentially be the easiest method, unfortunately it hasn’t been useful for the last 4-5 years..  it can’t find a suitable USB drive if you offered it up one a plate, garnished and all the trimmings..  not a priority I guess! too bad.




It just hurts me to see so many folks have such difficulty with this easy task.







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Title: Re: TinyCore Boots to a DOS Prompt
Post by: Juanito on October 26, 2018, 02:03:45 AM
I should be able to take a look at the CorePlus iso in 3-4 days time

The CorePlus iso file isolinux.cfg was corrupted - the iso has been reposted
Title: Re: TinyCore Boots to a DOS Prompt
Post by: mikezuccaburg on October 29, 2018, 10:14:16 PM
SUCCESS!  I got TinyCore running with the instructions here:

http://wiki.tinycorelinux.net/wiki:install_usb_stepbystep?&#option_2

With a caveat:  Although renaming the directory from "cde" to "tce" was necessary, steps 5 and 6 were totally unnecessary, with the exception of renaming each "cde" in the config file to "waitusb=5".  Admins and/or devs take note:  This guide needs to be updated.  Many of the options mentioned under Rufus do not exist anymore either (presumably this was written for a previous version of the software). 

One more question:  Can you use Google Chrome with TinyCore?  I found Firefox but not Chrome.  I prefer Chrome just because it has all my bookmarks and Firefox tends to scramble them when I attempt an import.  If I can run LibreOffice and Chrome on TinyCore, it'll be like Christmas.

This distribution should really be more popular!  For those of us who use Linux because it takes up fewer resources, it's pretty much the best thing out there, since Damn Small seemingly does not have WiFi capability and has been discontinued.
Title: Re: TinyCore Boots to a DOS Prompt
Post by: mikezuccaburg on October 29, 2018, 10:15:20 PM
I should be able to take a look at the CorePlus iso in 3-4 days time

The CorePlus iso file isolinux.cfg was corrupted - the iso has been reposted

This helped too.  Thanks Juanito!
Title: Re: TinyCore Boots to a DOS Prompt
Post by: Juanito on October 29, 2018, 10:23:28 PM
If I can run LibreOffice and Chrome on TinyCore, it'll be like Christmas.

There's a chromium-browser extension in the 64-bit repo - both repos have a libreoffice extension.
Title: Re: TinyCore Boots to a DOS Prompt
Post by: coreplayer2 on October 31, 2018, 07:44:00 AM
SUCCESS!  I got TinyCore running with the instructions here:

http://wiki.tinycorelinux.net/wiki:install_usb_stepbystep?&#option_2

With a caveat:  Although renaming the directory from "cde" to "tce" was necessary, steps 5 and 6 were totally unnecessary, with the exception of renaming each "cde" in the config file to "waitusb=5".  Admins and/or devs take note:  This guide needs to be updated.  Many of the options mentioned under Rufus do not exist anymore either (presumably this was written for a previous version of the software). 
...
The Step By Step guide was written from scratch last week to help folks boot TinyCore without issue.  Additionally, the Guide's "Option 2" is particularly easy to follow and references the very latest version of Rufus (v3.3p) Utility available since Sept. 17th 2018.   I presumed folks could follow the links to Rufus portable version as provided in Step 1?   A link to Rufus primary web site was also provided as a courtesy to
their team and for TinyCore folks to read more..

If you choose not to follow the steps then I've done all I can is, you're on your own...
Title: Re: TinyCore Boots to a DOS Prompt
Post by: mikezuccaburg on October 31, 2018, 02:59:39 PM
SUCCESS!  I got TinyCore running with the instructions here:

http://wiki.tinycorelinux.net/wiki:install_usb_stepbystep?&#option_2

With a caveat:  Although renaming the directory from "cde" to "tce" was necessary, steps 5 and 6 were totally unnecessary, with the exception of renaming each "cde" in the config file to "waitusb=5".  Admins and/or devs take note:  This guide needs to be updated.  Many of the options mentioned under Rufus do not exist anymore either (presumably this was written for a previous version of the software). 
...
The Step By Step guide was written from scratch last week to help folks boot TinyCore without issue.  Additionally, the Guide's "Option 2" is particularly easy to follow and references the very latest version of Rufus (v3.3p) Utility available since Sept. 17th 2018.   I presumed folks could follow the links to Rufus portable version as provided in Step 1?   A link to Rufus primary web site was also provided as a courtesy to
their team and for TinyCore folks to read more..

If you choose not to follow the steps then I've done all I can is, you're on your own...

No offense intended!  I did follow the steps initially, but 5 and 6 made it boot to an error screen.  Renaming everything back to isolinux allowed TinyCore to launch.  I can't comment on the effectiveness of the Rufus part of the guide since the last time I tried Rufus was with the bad ISO, which obviously didn't work.
Title: TinyCore Boots to a DOS Prompt
Post by: coreplayer2 on October 31, 2018, 05:32:41 PM
I can't comment on the effectiveness of the Rufus part of the guide since the last time I tried Rufus was with the bad ISO, which obviously didn't work.
The most important thing when using Rufus is NOT to use an ISO. 
Instead you simply select to install the boot loader “syslinux 4.07” from the menu... then every step will work as explained

[emoji2]


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Title: Re: TinyCore Boots to a DOS Prompt
Post by: coreplayer2 on October 31, 2018, 06:24:28 PM
Let me help with a picture of Rufus (Portable) which speaks a thousand words!

Title: Re: TinyCore Boots to a DOS Prompt
Post by: mikezuccaburg on November 01, 2018, 04:37:38 PM
Let me help with a picture of Rufus (Portable) which speaks a thousand words!

I mis-spoke.  I totally did use Rufus since I used that guide.  I got the regular version, not the portable one, which is maybe why I don't have some of those options.
Title: Re: TinyCore Boots to a DOS Prompt
Post by: mikezuccaburg on November 18, 2018, 06:28:46 PM
Let me help with a picture of Rufus (Portable) which speaks a thousand words!

coreplayer2, how do I add syslinux 4.07 to Rufus' drop down menu?  I have tried both the normal and portable versions.
Title: TinyCore Boots to a DOS Prompt
Post by: coreplayer2 on November 18, 2018, 07:31:47 PM
Let me help with a picture of Rufus (Portable) which speaks a thousand words!

coreplayer2, how do I add syslinux 4.07 to Rufus' drop down menu?  I have tried both the normal and portable versions.
You don’t add, Use the portable version, second Item down “boot selection”  you simply scroll down the list and select it
Be sure to select syslinux 4.07 from the list, not syslinux 6.x   
:)


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Title: Re: TinyCore Boots to a DOS Prompt
Post by: mikezuccaburg on November 18, 2018, 07:35:54 PM
Let me help with a picture of Rufus (Portable) which speaks a thousand words!

coreplayer2, how do I add syslinux 4.07 to Rufus' drop down menu?  I have tried both the normal and portable versions.
You don’t add, Use the portable version, second Item down “boot selection”  you simply scroll down the list and select it
Be sure to select syslinux 4.07 from the list, not syslinux 6.x   
:)


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Hmm, odd, that doesn't appear for me at all.  Are you running it in Windows?
Title: Re: TinyCore Boots to a DOS Prompt
Post by: coreplayer2 on November 18, 2018, 08:38:15 PM
Ok then looks like I'll have to add this step form Option 1 to download syslinux 4.07.zip  from https://mirrors.edge.kernel.org/pub/linux/utils/boot/syslinux/  to your system

I think if you simply download the archive to the same directory as rufus  the app should find it (if that fails then extract the archive and delete rufus.ini file before running rufus again
Title: Re: TinyCore Boots to a DOS Prompt
Post by: coreplayer2 on November 18, 2018, 09:28:54 PM
Let me help with a picture of Rufus (Portable) which speaks a thousand words!

coreplayer2, how do I add syslinux 4.07 to Rufus' drop down menu?  I have tried both the normal and portable versions.
Hi mikezuccaburg,  Looks like rufus is unable to download the files it needs from it's home server.  So i suggest using Option 1 method from http://wiki.tinycorelinux.net/wiki:install_usb_stepbystep  in the meantime
Title: Re: TinyCore Boots to a DOS Prompt
Post by: reg on November 18, 2018, 11:10:51 PM
Howdy!  I too am new but enjoying tinycore. 

I have had no problems creating bootable USB sicks from my Win 7 both with just the tinycore ISO and Rufus. 

There is almost no difference between the portable and the non portable.  The portable recalls it's previous settings if you use it on a lot of computes. 

All of my devices boot just fine and dandy with the rufus defaults.  Select the USB stick, select the ISO and click the start button.  Accept any defaults it asks you about after that. 

I have not had to copy or rename any files manually. 

I use tinycore-current  and it starts with the GUI desktop.  From there I can run the software installer and get the gui flavor of tc-install, which also happens to depend on the command line version, so if you pick the gui flavor you get them both.  I have found the cloud install to be less typing but I have had success installing both from the cloud and the running system. 

Getting the OS onto the hard disk and booting to the command line is easy.  I have completed a couple long term projects with tinycore frugal and I am really very happy with it.  Small, and fast.

That being said, I have had no luck getting anything like X going on it.  I would like to install the desktop that comes with tinycore-current.

I have tried pointing tc-install at optional stuff from the USB stick in the last step when it asks aout optional stuff.  I have never had that work.  I have tried copying the contents of the USB over to the hdd after the install, and never had that work. 

Can someone please give me a quick synopsis of what you need to do to install the GUI from the tinycore-current iso on a frugal install? 

And, as an aside, it would be cool to have the installer give you the option of the GUI like the tinycore-current has, or the frugal version like core-current.

Title: Re: TinyCore Boots to a DOS Prompt
Post by: Juanito on November 18, 2018, 11:29:53 PM
tc-install is the tool to install tinycore

If you want to add additional software to tinycore, you need the tce-load tool.

In 32-bit tinycore you have three options for X - Xvesa, Xorg-7.7 and Xfbdev

To download a simple desktop environment, load and start it:
Code: [Select]
$ tce-load -w Xvesa flwm wbar aterm
$ tce-load -i Xvesa flwm wbar aterm
$ startx
Title: Re: TinyCore Boots to a DOS Prompt
Post by: Rich on November 19, 2018, 06:11:08 AM
Hi reg
... That being said, I have had no luck getting anything like X going on it.  I would like to install the desktop that comes with tinycore-current.

I have tried pointing tc-install at optional stuff from the USB stick in the last step when it asks aout optional stuff. ...
If you are referring to the step with the  Boot Options Reference List  that's the wrong place. The step after that titled
Extension Installation  is what you want. Click on the text field under  Install Extensions from this TCE/CDE Directory  and navigate
to your USB sticks  CDE  directory. The text field should end up looking similar to this:
Code: [Select]
/mnt/sdb1/cdeDepending on the number of drives in your system, your USB stick may show up as a different device and not  sdb1.
Title: Re: TinyCore Boots to a DOS Prompt
Post by: reg on November 19, 2018, 09:27:36 AM
No, for the boot options I usually use: quiet text vga=791 

In the very last step where is asks where to get optional stuff from I have tried pointing it at the optional directory on the booted USB stick, both with and without the trailing /

/mnt/sdb1/cde/optional/

I just tried the idea presented by Juanito:

$ tce-load -w Xvesa flwm wbar aterm
$ tce-load -i Xvesa flwm wbar aterm
$ startx

It told me a couple of the packages were already installed but s started and it is the exact desktop from the tinycore-current.  Some of this may be from artifacts of what I was doing last night.  I am going to try loading those packages on top of a "fresh" frugal install but Juanito has me on the right track.

More questions, if you don't mind..

1) Can't you combine the w and i switches in the tce-load command
2) Is this different from tce-ab and searching for the packages and installing them?

Thank you all for your assistance so far.  I am really enjoying this flavor of Linux.
Title: Re: TinyCore Boots to a DOS Prompt
Post by: Greg Erskine on November 19, 2018, 12:52:03 PM
hi reg,

I use piCore exclusively but I think it works the same.

1. Yes. The subtle difference is the -wi option also updates onboot.lst
2. I believe tce-ab uses tce-load.

regard
Greg
Title: Re: TinyCore Boots to a DOS Prompt
Post by: Rich on November 19, 2018, 01:27:00 PM
Hi reg
... In the very last step where is asks where to get optional stuff from I have tried pointing it at the optional directory on the booted USB stick, both with and without the trailing /

/mnt/sdb1/cde/optional/   ... 
As I said in my last post, try it with:
/mnt/sdb1/cde/
Title: Re: TinyCore Boots to a DOS Prompt
Post by: Misalf on November 19, 2018, 10:27:57 PM
Using
Code: [Select]
tce-load -w XYZ
tce-load -i XYZ
makes the extensions get downloaded (the -w switch) and then installed into the RAM file system (the -i switch).
Combining these two switches
Code: [Select]
tce-load -wi XYZ
results in the onboot.lst file being populated with the given extensions to be loaded/installed on-boot.
To circumvent this, there is the  -l  switch (just load). Not too intuitive.

The  tce-ab  script is using the  tce-load  script. Even the Apps GUI is using scripts. If one thing brakes there is only one place to fix it.
Title: Re: TinyCore Boots to a DOS Prompt
Post by: reg on November 20, 2018, 03:27:45 PM
Thank you for the clarification on the switches.  If you use the

tce-load -w XYZ
tce-load -i XYZ

syntax for loading applications into memory, what happens upon reboot?  Is there a hook left behind so on the next reboot it goes and fetches the XYZ package and installs in into RAM again, or if you want that action do you need to put those commands into the bootlocal file?

Oddly enough about the only place I can see this action being of use (outside of always running the latest version) is in a situation that I am in.  I am working with Wyse thin clients and they have an odd internal configuration.  They have a 128MB SSD and they have 512MB of Ram.  Yes, they have 4X more RAM than they have disk space.  First time I have ever worked with a system like this.

Thank you all for your help so far, and next time I start from scratch I will try pointing the last step at /mnt/sdb1/cde/ and see if it will use the software I already have on the install USB stick for the desktop.
Title: Re: TinyCore Boots to a DOS Prompt
Post by: Rich on November 20, 2018, 05:26:51 PM
Hi reg
Thank you for the clarification on the switches.  If you use the

tce-load -w XYZ
tce-load -i XYZ

syntax for loading applications into memory, what happens upon reboot?  Is there a hook left behind so on the next reboot it goes and fetches the XYZ package and installs in into RAM again, or if you want that action do you need to put those commands into the bootlocal file? ...
The extensions will still be in your  tce/optional  directory. If you want them reloaded when you reboot, just add their names to the
onboot.lst  file in your  tce  directory.
Title: Re: TinyCore Boots to a DOS Prompt
Post by: coreplayer2 on November 20, 2018, 06:12:28 PM
No, for the boot options I usually use: quiet text vga=791
Besides adding extensions to the Onboot.lst in the tce directory for desired boot-time loading,  using the “text” bootcode does the opposite and will prevent your system from booting to a desktop.   So now you know, remove the "text" bootcode if you want auto loading of extensions at boot.

I’m not 100% sure but afaik the vga= bootcode is only used when loading Xfbdev extension,   
therefore is not required for Xvesa




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

    [EDIT]: Corrected spelling.  Rich
Title: Re: TinyCore Boots to a DOS Prompt
Post by: mikezuccaburg on November 22, 2018, 12:14:13 PM
I tried burning it to a CD 3-4 times but it failed in Fedora & Windows.  My CD-Rs and hardware are pretty old though.
Title: Re: TinyCore Boots to a DOS Prompt
Post by: mikezuccaburg on November 22, 2018, 06:45:12 PM
Is there a quick fix for attempts to run lightweight distributions that breaks your ability to boot?

I tried to run DSL-N (damn small linux not) from a USB and now I can't boot into Lubuntu again.  Same problem I had with TinyCore on my Lubuntu machine until I re-partitioned the hard disk and reinstalled Lubuntu.  This time it won't reinstall Lubuntu so I'm stumped as to where to go from here.

I'd seriously pay to have a Linux expert close by or something
Title: Re: TinyCore Boots to a DOS Prompt
Post by: Juanito on November 22, 2018, 09:29:58 PM
Booting tinycore (or dsl) from a usb stick will not have an effect on what is installed on your hard disk.

If you cannot boot from your hard disk it means that either the bootloader was modified or something was deleted..
Title: Re: TinyCore Boots to a DOS Prompt
Post by: curaga on November 23, 2018, 03:48:29 AM
Something sounds seriously wrong with that machine. Live USB distros do not touch anything.
Title: Re: TinyCore Boots to a DOS Prompt
Post by: reg on November 24, 2018, 01:09:57 PM
The live versions of Linux that you boot from a CD or a USB stick should not touch anything on your hard disk.  However, most of them will allow you to mount and or run fdisk on your hard disk, and with these tools you can make changes, and you can hose your disk.

If you boot from a live distro and run firefox say, that is perfectly safe.

If you boot from a live distro and run fdisk on the hdd and do more than look, or mount any of the filesystems RW and make changes, sure you can render the machine unbootable.

By the same token, the live distros are very handy for being able to mount the hdd on a problematic system and allow you to make repairs.  The knife cuts both ways.
Title: Re: TinyCore Boots to a DOS Prompt
Post by: mikezuccaburg on November 29, 2018, 07:01:11 PM
Hmm, bizarre.  TC does say upon booting that it is scanning pre-existing partitions for /etc/fstab - can this have something to do with it?

Nevertheless, it can be made bootable just fine with the dd command someone helpfully mentioned on page 1 of this thread.  I think the problem probably was that the .iso needed to be fixed.  I have not had occasion to reinstall Lubuntu yet but I will let you guys know if it happens again (at least, with Tinycore).
Title: Re: TinyCore Boots to a DOS Prompt
Post by: Rich on November 29, 2018, 07:19:21 PM
Hi mikezuccaburg
Hmm, bizarre.  TC does say upon booting that it is scanning pre-existing partitions for /etc/fstab - can this have something to do with it? ...
It's just populating  /etc/fstab  with a list of recognized drives. It does not mount them or touch them.