Re: Need dial-up friendly install on USB stick
On Fri, Aug 19, 2011 at 07:41:57AM -0500, Richard Owlett wrote: I'm currently a Windows user who's trying to escape. I have an unusual batch of constraints: 1. It must reside *completely* on a USB stick and be able to read/write an existing NTFS hard drive. 2. It must be able to connect thru a USB modem, USROBOTICS USR5637. a. It will be used on a desktop ( *NO* high speed internet ever _available_ ) and on a laptop (WIFI equipped) which will often need dial-up. I've experimented with live editions to determine hardware functionality. As a permanent solution - DOA! Using YUMI-0.0.2.5 I've tried: debian-live-6.0.1-i386-lxde-desktop.iso ubuntu-10.10-desktop-i386.iso lupu-525.iso multicore_3.7.1.iso Using Unetbootin I tried: linuxmint-11-gnome-cd-nocodecs-32bit.iso All but Multicore had lsusb available and recognized the USB modem. Only Puppy had a dialer - it could connect but repeatedly dropped carrier for unknown cause. Mint and Multicore recognized the laptop had WIFI capability - a protected WIFI system is nearby. I've roamed the web for a couple of months (no longer sure Google is really a friend ;) I was originally referred to Ubuntu but I've come to think is fundamentally I need Debian style repository , much else is negotiable. Did you know that most live USB systems can use a mode called persistence that allows you to install new software? With Debian Live, you should be able to install a dialer (kppp is one that comes to mind). Depending on your wifi card, you may need to install special packages and/or enable the non-free repos. ntfs-3g is the package that enables read/write to NTFS. -Rob -- To UNSUBSCRIBE, email to debian-user-requ...@lists.debian.org with a subject of unsubscribe. Trouble? Contact listmas...@lists.debian.org Archive: http://lists.debian.org/20110819124832.ga17...@aurora.owens.net
Re: Need dial-up friendly install on USB stick
On 19/08/11 22:41, Richard Owlett wrote: I'm currently a Windows user who's trying to escape. I have an unusual batch of constraints: 1. It must reside *completely* on a USB stick and be able to read/write an existing NTFS hard drive. 2. It must be able to connect thru a USB modem, USROBOTICS USR5637. a. It will be used on a desktop ( *NO* high speed internet ever _available_ ) and on a laptop (WIFI equipped) which will often need dial-up. I've experimented with live editions to determine hardware functionality. As a permanent solution - DOA! Using YUMI-0.0.2.5 I've tried: debian-live-6.0.1-i386-lxde-desktop.iso ubuntu-10.10-desktop-i386.iso lupu-525.iso multicore_3.7.1.iso Using Unetbootin I tried: linuxmint-11-gnome-cd-nocodecs-32bit.iso All but Multicore had lsusb available and recognized the USB modem. Only Puppy had a dialer - it could connect but repeatedly dropped carrier for unknown cause. Exit codes would be useful (in future) Mint and Multicore recognized the laptop had WIFI capability - a protected WIFI system is nearby. Of the distributions you've mentioned, with the exception of Multicore which I've never heard of, all should support the US Robotics modem, have dialers, can support NTFS, and will support some sorts of WiFi. I've roamed the web for a couple of months (no longer sure Google is really a friend ;) I was originally referred to Ubuntu but I've come to think is fundamentally I need Debian style repository ? Debian and Ubuntu both use Debian style repositories. , much else is negotiable. It sounds like you want to install a Debian desktop to a USB key, use it to access an NTFS partition on the laptop, and, use (the laptop's) wifi connection, as well as access internet via the US Robotics modem (and the WiFi?)... is that correct?? Debian can do all of those things. (conditionally). Ideally you'd kick Windoof to an external device instead of handicapping Debian, your choice... what you want might require some compromises, your answers to the following will help us make suggestions. What Desktop Environment were you after? What tasks do you want to do on this Desktop? How big is your USB stick? What chipset is the WiFi? What make and model is your laptop? How much RAM does your laptop have installed? Cheers -- I love the Pope, I love seeing him in his Pope-Mobile, his three feet of bullet proof plexi-glass. That's faith in action folks! You know he's got God on his side. ~ Bill Hicks -- To UNSUBSCRIBE, email to debian-user-requ...@lists.debian.org with a subject of unsubscribe. Trouble? Contact listmas...@lists.debian.org Archive: http://lists.debian.org/4e4e62a9.6070...@gmail.com
Re: Need dial-up friendly install on USB stick
Rob Owens wrote: On Fri, Aug 19, 2011 at 07:41:57AM -0500, Richard Owlett wrote: I'm currently a Windows user who's trying to escape. I have an unusual batch of constraints: 1. It must reside *completely* on a USB stick and be able to read/write an existing NTFS hard drive. 2. It must be able to connect thru a USB modem, USROBOTICS USR5637. a. It will be used on a desktop ( *NO* high speed internet ever _available_ ) and on a laptop (WIFI equipped) which will often need dial-up. I've experimented with live editions to determine hardware functionality. As a permanent solution - DOA! Using YUMI-0.0.2.5 I've tried: debian-live-6.0.1-i386-lxde-desktop.iso ubuntu-10.10-desktop-i386.iso lupu-525.iso multicore_3.7.1.iso Using Unetbootin I tried: linuxmint-11-gnome-cd-nocodecs-32bit.iso All but Multicore had lsusb available and recognized the USB modem. Only Puppy had a dialer - it could connect but repeatedly dropped carrier for unknown cause. Mint and Multicore recognized the laptop had WIFI capability - a protected WIFI system is nearby. I've roamed the web for a couple of months (no longer sure Google is really a friend ;) I was originally referred to Ubuntu but I've come to think is fundamentally I need Debian style repository , much else is negotiable. Did you know that most live USB systems can use a mode called persistence that allows you to install new software? I heard _of_ persistence when I first attempted to use Ubuntu. I'm not sure if that is quite what I'm aiming at. I encountered it when I discovered that changes to display preferences did not hold across sessions. I *THINK* I followed instructions to use persistence. It was unsuccessful ;( My goal is to sit down at keyboard and not be able to tell whether Linux resided on a USB stick or on the hard drive (cf the old AI goal of having computer indistinguishable from human.) With Debian Live, you should be able to install a dialer (kppp is one that comes to mind). Chuckle - it's the chicken and egg problem. My starting point is I have to take my Windows laptop to local library for high speed access. The nearest known LUG is 200 miles away (am in rural SW Missouri). Then I need either to identify an iso with active dialer OR have a way to download the dialer and dependencies using Windows. Depending on your wifi card, you may need to install special packages and/or enable the non-free repos. Assumed. My tests have established that there is at least one driver minimally compatible with my hardware. If I can get either working, the other can be bootstrapped. ntfs-3g is the package that enables read/write to NTFS. -Rob -- To UNSUBSCRIBE, email to debian-user-requ...@lists.debian.org with a subject of unsubscribe. Trouble? Contact listmas...@lists.debian.org Archive: http://lists.debian.org/4e4e81c4.4000...@pcnetinc.com
Re: Need dial-up friendly install on USB stick
Scott Ferguson wrote: On 19/08/11 22:41, Richard Owlett wrote: I'm currently a Windows user who's trying to escape. I have an unusual batch of constraints: 1. It must reside *completely* on a USB stick and be able to read/write an existing NTFS hard drive. 2. It must be able to connect thru a USB modem, USROBOTICS USR5637. a. It will be used on a desktop ( *NO* high speed internet ever _available_ ) and on a laptop (WIFI equipped) which will often need dial-up. I've experimented with live editions to determine hardware functionality. As a permanent solution - DOA! Using YUMI-0.0.2.5 I've tried: debian-live-6.0.1-i386-lxde-desktop.iso ubuntu-10.10-desktop-i386.iso lupu-525.iso multicore_3.7.1.iso Using Unetbootin I tried: linuxmint-11-gnome-cd-nocodecs-32bit.iso All but Multicore had lsusb available and recognized the USB modem. Only Puppy had a dialer - it could connect but repeatedly dropped carrier for unknown cause. Exit codes would be useful (in future) Agreed. All I was trying to communicate was Puppy could communicate with the modem. It used some default settings and I've not checked to see if compatible with my ISP. Mint and Multicore recognized the laptop had WIFI capability - a protected WIFI system is nearby. Of the distributions you've mentioned, with the exception of Multicore which I've never heard of, all should support the US Robotics modem, have dialers, can support NTFS, and will support some sorts of WiFi. But the primary problem is bootstrapping the system. I've roamed the web for a couple of months (no longer sure Google is really a friend ;) I was originally referred to Ubuntu but I've come to think is fundamentally I need Debian style repository ? Debian and Ubuntu both use Debian style repositories. That's why I posted here. I think I was pointed to Ubuntu because my friend liked the user experience. I didn't find it that great and sometime next year support for at least one dialer will be dropped. , much else is negotiable. It sounds like you want to install a Debian desktop to a USB key, use it to access an NTFS partition on the laptop, and, use (the laptop's) wifi connection, as well as access internet via the US Robotics modem (and the WiFi?)... is that correct?? Essentially. The desktop will connect only thru the US Robotics modem. The laptop will connect typically through WiFi (use the US Robotics modem when laptop is being used as a backup). Debian can do all of those things. (conditionally). Ideally you'd kick Windoof to an external device instead of handicapping Debian, your choice... what you want might require some compromises, your answers to the following will help us make suggestions. Eventually Windows will take its place in my personal museum, right next to my Kaypro 10 (a CPM-80 machine ;). What Desktop Environment were you after? Any GUI. I'm from era of 026's, KSR-33's, and glass teletypes. What tasks do you want to do on this Desktop? Vast majority will be text based. The remainder will be using Tc/Tl or gnu plot. Even my use of internet will be strongly text oriented. The one proprietary program I will want is known to run fine under WINE. How big is your USB stick? Most of mine are 16 GB. What chipset is the WiFi? I couldn't identify it. What make and model is your laptop? IBM Thinkpad (Lenovo T43) How much RAM does your laptop have installed? 1 GB Cheers -- To UNSUBSCRIBE, email to debian-user-requ...@lists.debian.org with a subject of unsubscribe. Trouble? Contact listmas...@lists.debian.org Archive: http://lists.debian.org/4e4e8ce3.9010...@pcnetinc.com
Re: Need dial-up friendly install on USB stick
On Fri, Aug 19, 2011 at 10:31:16AM -0500, Richard Owlett wrote: Rob Owens wrote: On Fri, Aug 19, 2011 at 07:41:57AM -0500, Richard Owlett wrote: I'm currently a Windows user who's trying to escape. [cut] My goal is to sit down at keyboard and not be able to tell whether Linux resided on a USB stick or on the hard drive (cf the old AI goal of having computer indistinguishable from human.) For the record, it is possible to install a full-fledged Linux distribution onto a USB stick. That way, it truly is indistinguishable (I'm assuming we're ignoring things like the USB stick flashing at you - what matters is the user experience). However, it's not really recommended. USB keys are slow and unreliable compared to hard drives. -- Darac Marjal signature.asc Description: Digital signature
Re: Need dial-up friendly install on USB stick
On Fri 19 Aug 2011 at 10:31:16 -0500, Richard Owlett wrote: Rob Owens wrote: With Debian Live, you should be able to install a dialer (kppp is one that comes to mind). Chuckle - it's the chicken and egg problem. My starting point is I have to take my Windows laptop to local library for high speed access. The nearest known LUG is 200 miles away (am in rural SW Missouri). Then I need either to identify an iso with active dialer OR have a way to download the dialer and dependencies using Windows. Apart from being bandwidth challenged at home your situation is no different from anyone else's who installs Debian to a USB stick. Choose an iso image. You already know how to put it on a USB device and boot successfully from it. In Debian download the packages you know from your research are needed to get the modem going. kppp has been suggested. I'd add wvdial amd pppconfig to the list. Depending on your wifi card, you may need to install special packages and/or enable the non-free repos. Assumed. My tests have established that there is at least one driver minimally compatible with my hardware. If I can get either working, the other can be bootstrapped. lspci or lsusb (in Debian) will tell you how to proceed with wifi. -- To UNSUBSCRIBE, email to debian-user-requ...@lists.debian.org with a subject of unsubscribe. Trouble? Contact listmas...@lists.debian.org Archive: http://lists.debian.org/20110819164214.GM14528@desktop
Re: Need dial-up friendly install on USB stick
On Fri, Aug 19, 2011 at 10:31:16AM -0500, Richard Owlett wrote: Rob Owens wrote: Did you know that most live USB systems can use a mode called persistence that allows you to install new software? I heard _of_ persistence when I first attempted to use Ubuntu. I'm not sure if that is quite what I'm aiming at. I encountered it when I discovered that changes to display preferences did not hold across sessions. I *THINK* I followed instructions to use persistence. It was unsuccessful ;( My goal is to sit down at keyboard and not be able to tell whether Linux resided on a USB stick or on the hard drive (cf the old AI goal of having computer indistinguishable from human.) Persistence will give you this (except that performance is slightly slower from USB than from a hard drive). For Debian Live, set it up something like this: 1) download or build an image 2) dd if=image.iso of=/dev/sdX (your usb stick) 3) fdisk /dev/sdX 3a) create a new partition in the empty space on your usb stick 4) mkfs.ext4 -L live-rw /dev/sdX2 5) boot your usb stick with the parameter persistent 5a) optionally change the /syslinux/live.cfg to permanently include persistent as a boot paramenter Note: in step 4, it is critical to label the partition live-rw -- that's what makes it work. With Debian Live, you should be able to install a dialer (kppp is one that comes to mind). Chuckle - it's the chicken and egg problem. My starting point is I have to take my Windows laptop to local library for high speed access. The nearest known LUG is 200 miles away (am in rural SW Missouri). Then I need either to identify an iso with active dialer OR have a way to download the dialer and dependencies using Windows. If you've got a broadcom wifi card, you'll need firmware-b43-installer, which depends on b43-fwcutter. You can download them from packages.debian.org. I think b43-fwcutter might download firmware files when it is run, so you'll need to try to fetch those ahead of time, too. -Rob -- To UNSUBSCRIBE, email to debian-user-requ...@lists.debian.org with a subject of unsubscribe. Trouble? Contact listmas...@lists.debian.org Archive: http://lists.debian.org/20110819182359.ga18...@aurora.owens.net
Re: Need dial-up friendly install on USB stick
Darac Marjal wrote: On Fri, Aug 19, 2011 at 10:31:16AM -0500, Richard Owlett wrote: Rob Owens wrote: On Fri, Aug 19, 2011 at 07:41:57AM -0500, Richard Owlett wrote: I'm currently a Windows user who's trying to escape. [cut] My goal is to sit down at keyboard and not be able to tell whether Linux resided on a USB stick or on the hard drive (cf the old AI goal of having computer indistinguishable from human.) For the record, it is possible to install a full-fledged Linux distribution onto a USB stick. That way, it truly is indistinguishable (I'm assuming we're ignoring things like the USB stick flashing at you - what matters is the user experience). However, it's not really recommended. USB keys are slow and unreliable compared to hard drives. Sounds like a Microsoft exec - we know better -- To UNSUBSCRIBE, email to debian-user-requ...@lists.debian.org with a subject of unsubscribe. Trouble? Contact listmas...@lists.debian.org Archive: http://lists.debian.org/4e4eb6c6.7040...@pcnetinc.com
Re: Need dial-up friendly install on USB stick
On 20/08/11 02:18, Richard Owlett wrote: Scott Ferguson wrote: On 19/08/11 22:41, Richard Owlett wrote: snipped Of the distributions you've mentioned, with the exception of Multicore which I've never heard of, all should support the US Robotics modem, have dialers, can support NTFS, and will support some sorts of WiFi. But the primary problem is bootstrapping the system. A few distros don't default boot with Thinkpads/Leveno laptops. I've roamed the web for a couple of months Then you'll be aware of the advantages of installing Debian to a hard drive, the various arguments about USB stick wear, and the problems associated with using Linux to manage Windoof filesystems. (no longer sure Google is really a friend ;) I was originally referred to Ubuntu but I've come to think is fundamentally I need Debian style repository ? Debian and Ubuntu both use Debian style repositories. That's why I posted here. I think I was pointed to Ubuntu because my friend liked the user experience. I didn't find it that great and sometime next year support for at least one dialer will be dropped. Debian has different user experiences, and, more choices. As long as ppp continues, then dialers will be available. TTBOMK wvdial isn't about to vanish , much else is negotiable. It sounds like you want to install a Debian desktop to a USB key, use it to access an NTFS partition on the laptop, and, use (the laptop's) wifi connection, as well as access internet via the US Robotics modem (and the WiFi?)... is that correct?? Essentially. The desktop will connect only thru the US Robotics modem. The laptop will connect typically through WiFi (use the US Robotics modem when laptop is being used as a backup). Wasn't sure when you'd said desktop if you meant a machine, or an interface. So... you have a home machine (desktop) and a portable machine (laptop)?? And you'd like the build on the USB stick to use with both machines?? I'm assuming the laptop is the least powerful machine? In which case build your USB stick OS for the laptop, and it should just work on the Desktop machine. snipped What Desktop Environment were you after? Any GUI. I'm from era of 026's, KSR-33's, and glass teletypes. The more integrated the DE, the less choices you'll have to make about applications. What tasks do you want to do on this Desktop? Vast majority will be text based. The remainder will be using Tc/Tl or gnu plot. Even my use of internet will be strongly text oriented. The one proprietary program I will want is known to run fine under WINE. K... so nothing that manipulates large files, or requires a lot of resources?? And nothing that can't be done with a standard set of system tools and desktop applications?? snipped What chipset is the WiFi? I couldn't identify it. WiFi do you mean using the laptop's Bluetooth?? What make and model is your laptop? IBM Thinkpad (Lenovo T43) There's a few variables with that machine Using Windoof - what is the maximum screen resolution? eg. 1024x768 or 1400x1050 Is that a 14.1 or 15 screen? output from lspci will prove useful model number? eg. 187x, 276x, 278x How much RAM does your laptop have installed? 1 GB Cheers If you allocate 5GB to system, leaving you up to 11 GB for /home. With 5GB of space, and the minimum specs of the T43, you could, with a little work, use Gnome or KDE as a desktop. Though I'd suggest something lighter - Fluxbox, Blackbox, XFCE, fvwn, etc, etc (I mainly use KDE, so I'll leave alternative suggestions to the more knowledgeable). Having decided on a Desktop and applications, you will need to chose a format. There are two main approaches to permanently running from a USB stick - live (and save settings), or standard (except don't have a swap). My personal choice is standard - set your DE to no dancing bears (turn off bling) - and don't create a swap partition. USB sticks are cheap - backup from one stick to another regularly and you should be fine. I've had linux installed native to a USB stick for several years without problems so far - but others have strong beliefs on the subject of wear levelling. Refs:- http://live.debian.net http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Desktop_environment http://www.thinkwiki.org/wiki/Category:T43 http://www.linux-laptop.net/ibm.html http://www.foosel.org/linux/t43 http://wiki.debian.org/InstallingDebianOn/Thinkpad Gather the required system info (and model number), choose a DE, pick some applications, determine what style of installation you want. I'm guessing you're going to want to do the actual install at the library? Cheers -- You ever look at their faces? We're pro-life. Don't they look it? Don't they just exude joie de vivre? ~ Bill Hicks -- To UNSUBSCRIBE, email to debian-user-requ...@lists.debian.org with a subject of unsubscribe. Trouble? Contact listmas...@lists.debian.org Archive: http://lists.debian.org/4e4f1e92.5090...@gmail.com
