Improve boot time tiny core linux

[tweetyhack]

Thanks for the tip Rich.

[floppy]

I don't know if there is any documentation but I would start by downloading the linux sources, configure, and compile(fairly simple), and remaster TC(haven't tried). You'll need gcc, make, patch, and some other packages. I wish it was easier. Here's a good starting point: http://www.h-online.com/open/features/Good-and-quick-kernel-configuration-creation-1403046.html. Your mileage may vary. I'll be doing this in the next week or 2 so if you run into any problems, just post. We'll get it done together.

thanks.
lets start..
done: load compiletc.tcz
then in a terminal  "make localmodconfig" gives the message
make: *** No rule to make target ' localmodconfig'. Stop.

any Idea how to go ahead?..

[Rich]

Hi floppy
So far you only downloaded the tools required to compile a program. You still need to download
the kernel source file and the config file that goes with it. The TC4.x sources are located here:
http://distro.ibiblio.org/tinycorelinux/4.x/x86/release/src/kernel/
After you unpack the kernel source you should check that the  localmodconfig  file is included in the
package.

[floppy]

After you unpack the kernel source you should check that the  localmodconfig  file is included in the
package.

done: kernel unpacked (in directory /home/temp/linux-3.0.3/)
done: compiletc loaded
"ln -s /home/temp/linux-3.0.3/ /home/temp/linux"
"cd /home/temp/"
"cd linux"
"make localmodconfig" .. error
========================
HOSTCC  scripts/basic/fixdep
gcc: internal compiler error: Illegal instruction (program cc1)
Please submit a full bug report,
with preprocessed source if appropriate.
See <http://gcc.gnu.org/bugs.html> for instructions.
make [1]: *** [scripts/basic/fixdep] Error4
make: *** [scripts_basic Error 2
=========================
now? (I m totally in the dark.. simply putting a step after the other..)

[curaga]

Oh, are you trying to do the build on the K6-3? I think the current gcc needed a newer cpu even after a rebuild. But Juanito knows more about that.

[floppy]

Oh, are you trying to do the build on the K6-3? I think the current gcc needed a newer cpu even after a rebuild. But Juanito knows more about that.

yes. I m trying to make a race horse out of this dunky..

[nim108]

I don't know if there is any documentation but I would start by downloading the linux sources, configure, and compile(fairly simple), and remaster TC(haven't tried). You'll need gcc, make, patch, and some other packages. I wish it was easier. Here's a good starting point: http://www.h-online.com/open/features/Good-and-quick-kernel-configuration-creation-1403046.html. Your mileage may vary. I'll be doing this in the next week or 2 so if you run into any problems, just post. We'll get it done together.

Any results from this testing tweetyhack? Thanks.

[floppy]

Update/answer:
- since gcc dont run on my old box (see the previous post)
- since I got depressed by installing tc on the pentium4 of a friend.. (it start in 25s.. my box start with the double time)
I am
- installing only games on that AMD K6-III for my children and will not compile a dedicated kernel for it (= I dont follow anymore a boot time improvement project for the AMD K6-III)
- installing now tc on a pentium4 I received today from eBay. perhaps I will start this project again with this new pc
sorry nim108, I will not post a HOWTO here. Perhaps in few months (dont know).

[thane]

"(it start in 25s.. my box start with the double time) "

Any chance it's a USB issue (1 vs 2)? I first ran TCL on a Compaq Deskpro, which couldn't boot from USB but I could save the extensions/backup there. Its USB 1 took a while to load (I called it my "beer boot" because I had time to grab a beer while it was loading).  My current machine is USB 2 and starts from USB (including boot) in a few seconds. I'm running a small number of extensions though.

[floppy]

Any chance it's a USB issue (1 vs 2)?

I start from the HDD.
The quickest one has the boot partition: 10GB and udma66; I use the slowest one 6GB and udma33 for the /home.
So, no USB there.

[floppy]

After you unpack the kernel source you should check that the  localmodconfig  file is included in the
package.

I start a new try for a kernel compiling with a P4 HP DC7100.
I loaded the kernel-3.0.3-patched and untar it. And the localmodconfig seems not to be there. Where can I find it anywhere else?
(make localmodconfig give the error "make: *** No rule to make target ' localmodconfig' . Stop.").

[floppy]

News: I reduced the boot time of my P4 (45 to 36s; usb boot) by using a script from "gutmensch" in that forum.
Gooooooddddddd.
So, i search now the link from the Mr. Gutmensch post (reduction/adaptation of the initramfs for a dedicated pc) and will add it here when I find it again. I will not try anymore a new kernel compiling.
If I dont post here the link, ask him with a message where his squizzing-script (time and initramfs) is.

edit: here it is http://forum.tinycorelinux.net/index.php/topic,9028.0.html!

[vinnie]

Great script, strangely the link did not work until I found the page by himself, but if I click now it works.

I'll try just after updating tinycore (actually I have a little fear to upgrade because I would not lose the functionality of those programs that depend on the kernel like vbox)

[curaga]

Yes, virtualbox doesn't have 3.0.21 modules in the repo yet.

[floppy]

Other sucess: with http://forum.tinycorelinux.net/index.php/topic,9028.0.html! , my AMD K6 improved its boot time between "desktop on button pushed" and "screen background there" from 124s to 103s. Good. So, I made now a new menu entry in grub "Core K6 speed boot". I dont change every week the desktop structure/cards, so, this process of squeezing the initramfs can be recommended after few weeks/months of a TinyCore installation.