I just spotted this review of TinyCore 3.5 in Linux User and Developer magazine's webiste:
http://www.linuxuser.co.uk/reviews/tiny-core-3-5-review-a-blend-of-the-brilliant-and-the-infuriating/The author expressed frustration with installation options for TC, including limited support of hard disk options. In a comment attached to the review, I tried to explain there are both frugal and full installation options for hard disks, but that TC is more DIY-oriented that many other versions of Linux.
Maybe some of you can jump in and add your own comments.