Run From CD - Persistent File On Hard Drive - How To?

[docsulo]

I'll admit I'm confused.

I've loaded and created extensions about 10 times and tried various ways to create a file that I could reload the extensions with but I'm not having luck.

I want to run TCL from CD and have the main functions in RAM.

I'd like to load the apps from my hard drive WITHOUT partitioning it as a separate partition (I thought that was one of the benefits of TCL).  I just want a folder on my hard drive so that I don't have to re-load all the different apps I want. 

Can someone direct me to STEP BY STEP instructions?  So far I've seen some stuff about backup and a TC folder.  I have also noticed that when I download an app "On Demand" another folder is created.  Anyway, it's all confusing and the documentation has not made things better for me.

[roberts]

No partition required if your hard's partition type is supported.

Click Panel icon
Click Set TCE Drive.

Will setup the necessary directories for Tiny Core.

You must have a hard drive with a supported partition type, ext2/etx3/fat

[docsulo]

All my partitions are ext 4. 

Could that be my issue?

[maro]

EXT4 should work OK for TC 3.x (but not out of the base for TC 2.x).

The principle is that TC will scan at boot time all file systems (i.e. partitions) of those types supported in the Core (i.e. EXT[2-4], FAT, VFAT) and checks for the existence of a '/tce' directory. If such a directory contains an 'optional' sub-directory (which should be where the extension files are stored) all those extensions listed in a config file (i.e. '/tce/onboot.lst') will be installed as part of the boot process. All this will be set up for you via the process Robert has mentioned (or you could call the script directly from a shell via tce-setdrive)

[docsulo]

OK.  Thanks.  That worked.

I created a new partition that was ext3 (even though I see that ext 4 would work).  Clicked the Panel and set the TCE drive and loaded fine.  However, it seems as if I can't right click on the screen to get a menu and part of my browser has been chopped off at the top and bottom (Chromium).


Some other questions:

1. What is the purpose of Backup?
2. Does the TCE drive save my settings or does it just save the applications so that I don't have to re-install every time?

[maro]

I guess the answer to your question is in the 'Backup/Restore' section of the concepts page. Please read it, as Robert has made it recently pretty clear that this should be seen as "required reading" before asking here.

In summary: The backup contains configuration files and personal data that is meant to "survive" a re-boot. This file (i.e. 'mydata.tgz') will be stored in the 'tce' directory (in addition to the extensions). And only to repeat myself:
    PLEASE READ THE DOCUMENTATION PROVIDED BY THE CORE TEAM!!!

[docsulo]

I read the documentation Maro.  Several times.  I tried the backup got the the zipped file and tried to restore it - Didn't work for me.

Also tried PPI setup even though I saw no documentation on that either.

Bear with me as I try out your distribution.  If I can figure it out I will document it in brain dead simplicity (which is what works for me and most of the other less-than-genius types out there).

Trust me though, I wouldn't ask questions here if I felt I understood the answers in the documentation.

[maro]

There is no need for you to undertake the restoration from the backup file yourself. This will be done automagically as part of the boot process (unless you use a boot code like 'base' or 'norestore'), provided the 'tce' directory was "recognised".

As the concept pages (and the FAQ page) are highlighting: when using USB drives one needs to use boot code 'waitusb=n' (where 'n' is a delay in seconds) to ensure device recognition. A simple check to see whether a device was identified is via cat /opt/.tce_dir If that still shows the (default) value of '/tmp/tce' not device was found, and your TC system remains therefore in "cloud mode".

If you struggle with the documentation, please raise specific questions re. those parts that are hard to understand. The Core team is in my experience quite keen to ensure improvements are done where they seem required. A claim along the lines of "... I don't understand the concept page ..." does not help anyone, as it is way too generic.

[roberts]

Updated the FAQ. http://www.tinycorelinux.com/faq.html#persist

[roberts]

For version 3.3. I will be moving TCE Set Drive from control panel to AppBrowser as an option.

[roberts]

I have integrated tce-setdrive into AppBrowser. Starting with v3.3, AppBrowser will initially display your TCE path in the Status area at the bottom of the screen. If the TCE path is /tmp/tce, .i.e, cloud mode, then a Set button will be activated. Clicking this Set button will allow the easy selection of a mountable drive for the automatic setup of the tce directory and related files.

[gerald_clark]

Great idea!