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Old 04-07-2008, 04:01 PM   #1
webquinty
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Install linux on Compact Flash, how to???


Hello,

I tried to install slackware on compact flash but it does not work.

I use compact flash wit CF-IDE adapter, so I made partitions like HD, with swap and ext3 linux partition.

After installed system and lilo, I rebooted system but nothing happened.

My questions are:

1.- Can I use ext3 with compact flash, or is it necessary use JFFS2?
2.- If I use compact flash, is it neccessary create a swap partition?

Best regards.
 
Old 04-07-2008, 07:17 PM   #2
onebuck
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Hi,

You should look at 'Slackware® 12.0 USB_Install'.
 
Old 04-08-2008, 11:26 AM   #3
webquinty
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Thanks a lot.

I will try it.

Best regards
 
Old 05-05-2008, 10:20 AM   #4
webquinty
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Hello

Hello,

well I tried to install slackware on my compact flash using this manual but I understand that this manual is to install slackware from USB device, like pendrive, but any thing else.

So, How can I install slackware on my compact flash???

any advice???


best regards
 
Old 05-05-2008, 10:26 AM   #5
Emerson
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Quote:
Originally Posted by webquinty View Post

After installed system and lilo, I rebooted system but nothing happened.
Where did you install Lilo? On your primary HDD?
Quote:
My questions are:

1.- Can I use ext3 with compact flash, or is it necessary use JFFS2?
2.- If I use compact flash, is it neccessary create a swap partition?

Best regards.
Flash has limited writes, using EXT3 will wear it off fast. EXT3 is journaling and repeatedly writes to the disk. Use EXT2 instead (you can convert EXT3 to EXT2 without reinstalling). Same warning goes for swap.
 
Old 05-05-2008, 10:33 AM   #6
farslayer
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Boot and run Linux from a USB flash memory stick www.pendrivelinux.com

Carry a portable Linux version with you on a USB flash pen drive.
Easily bring your portable desktop with you wherever you go.

This is probably the best site for info on installing to a USB drive, there are links to HOW-TO's for many different Linux distributions.

Last edited by farslayer; 05-05-2008 at 10:34 AM.
 
Old 05-05-2008, 10:37 AM   #7
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Wink

Try slax: http://www.slax.org/
 
Old 05-06-2008, 05:35 AM   #8
webquinty
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Emerson View Post
Where did you install Lilo? On your primary HDD?


Flash has limited writes, using EXT3 will wear it off fast. EXT3 is journaling and repeatedly writes to the disk. Use EXT2 instead (you can convert EXT3 to EXT2 without reinstalling). Same warning goes for swap.
I installed lilo in ext3 partiton of compact flash.

What is the meaning of "Same warning goes for swap"???. I am confuse.

Best regards
 
Old 05-06-2008, 07:03 AM   #9
Emerson
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When BIOS boots your rig it looks for your primary HDD to execute the MBR code. Unless you tell BIOS flash is your primary HDD your Lilo will not be found.
Swap is also a space where unlimited writes may occur. Better do without it.
 
Old 05-06-2008, 07:08 AM   #10
michaelk
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Flash memory has a limited number write/erase of cycles. Depends on the device but with wear level technology it is on the order of 1,000,000 cycles. However, as already posted ext3 default journal write time is 5 sec. So yes you would want to use jffs2 or ext2 which does not have a journal. swap depends on how much RAM and what applications you want to run. If you swap is used then it will also decrease the memories life span.

A CF-IDE is treated basically like a non removable regular hard drive. Did you install lilo to the Master Boot Record (MBR)? What do you mean by nothing happened? Where there any error messages when you tried to boot?
 
Old 05-06-2008, 08:51 AM   #11
PhillipHuang
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I suggest you to use LFS to build your own Linux, and let the whole system run in Memory. I think it will decrease the write/erase CF times.

About LFS, you can refer to http://www.linuxfromscratch.org.

Regards,
Phillip
 
Old 05-06-2008, 10:12 AM   #12
jf.argentino
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I never be able to install lilo on a Compact Flash (I don't know why but I didn't search a long time). Try grub instead, for me it always works.
As said in other replies, write cycles on a Compact Flash are limited. More over, Compact Flash devices are very slow, you'd better to run your system from a ram disk...
 
Old 05-06-2008, 11:44 AM   #13
webquinty
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Uahhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Wonderfull, a lot fo replies. Thanks a lot.

Quote:
swap depends on how much RAM and what applications you want to run. If you swap is used then it will also decrease the memories life span.
Well, this is no a problem, I have a lot of memory to run my application without swap.

Quote:
So yes you would want to use jffs2 or ext2 which does not have a journal.
Ok, now I will try these kinds of file system.

Quote:
I never be able to install lilo on a Compact Flash (I don't know why but I didn't search a long time). Try grub instead, for me it always works.
I downloaded grub but I can not install it. Tomorrow I will look for some manual to do it , step by step.

But, at this moment I can not boot CF.

Buffffffff, it is very hard.

best reagards.
 
Old 05-07-2008, 08:50 AM   #14
webquinty
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Hello

Well, I do it.

I install grub in ext2 file system, and compact flash boot normaly.
But now I have other problem. Salckware use by default LILO, and GRUB need kernel image and initrd.img.

But in boot folder I have only vmlinuz and System.map, but no initrd.img.

so, How can I fix this problem???

any idea?

Best regards
 
Old 05-07-2008, 09:15 AM   #15
jf.argentino
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Quote:
GRUB need kernel image and initrd.img.
GRUB can boot with an initrd, but I quite sure you can remove the "initrd" line, if your system is well configured (no need of module for booting and so on). But I say it again, for performance, and CF life, you'd better to make your system on an initrd and stay on it!
 
  


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