Greetings! I'm trying to set up a dual boot for my tx2. I have to keep Vista (for school programs, they only support Windows), and would like to have a secondary OS the boot into. I had Ubuntu installed on here, but it took just as long as Vista to load. I'm currently running xPud, but there's a lot of bugs left in there!

Here's what I'm looking for:

- FREE (I saw a new OS "Presto," but I just can't afford or allow myself to pay for linux...)

- Hardware support (Wifi, Sound, Webcam and Touchscreen[if possible])

- Fast Boot (>10 Seconds)

- Ease of install (Don't tell me the old "ANY Distro can be made to boot fast" - I was "out of the box speed")

- Streamline GUI

- Programs (Really, all I need is a browser [firefox] and an instant messenger [pidgin])

- Plugins (I don't want to have to search for all audio/video codecs and plugins)

I know that I'm asking for a lot, but I know what I need and have been looking for a while.

Thanks!

Sidux-0902-xfce running in hd-install, frugal-install boot sin sec
dude
the full power of The Darkside (Debian-Sidux-Repos) are available as well
arggg!

it rocks

you need help putting on usb or hd without burning to cd-r
holler back

note that the sidux usb installer is for ext2 or ext3 grub usb


http://sidux.com/

http://sidux.com/module-mirrors.html

xfce is the fastest one
many docs too

EDIT:
sidux can boot "fromiso"
as well
which is cool

Linus,

Thanks for such a prompt reply!

Like I said, I'm a "Noob," but I think I can handle putting the .iso to cd and installing on a smaller partition (assuming it's similar to other flavors of linux?)

Would you suggest that I use the "KDE Lite" or "XFCE" version?

Also, cone it's installed, how would I go about making sure that the hd-install is "frugal-install," or is that just an option in the install process?

cool thing about sidux is it will boot off hd or usb as persistent fromiso
or as a full hd install

Note, that the fromiso/persistent install is best for usb
it will boot quicker off hd, a little

I say the xfce, as its faster and lighter and smaller 480mb vs 700mb

get the iso and I'll get you going

you will need access to a linux cd as I cant do this from windows

That's a good suggestion; nothing wrong with Sidux. But here's my $0.02US:

Puppy. I use 4.1 series because I love it.

You can install it, but it's no Ubuntu or Mint for ease of installation. It runs even faster if you simply use it as a live CD and allow it to create a file on the hard disk to save things to. (This is an option the first time you log off.) Why does it run faster? Because unlike Knoppix or other 'live' distros, Puppy runs entirely in RAM, and once it's loaded, you can take out the disk and have access to that optical drive.

And if you don't bother with the install, you don't have to bother with GRUB, either. But even if you install, you will have a fast booting Linux. Very fast.

Good Idea, Colonel. I've used Puppy, and it IS fast...I just don't care for the GUI. Too minimalist in my opinion. I guess I'm riding a fine line between speed and appearance/ease of install.

I have no problem with GRUB, just so long as I can edit the menu, and have it boot into Windows by default and take some of the speed off (do I really need 10-15 seconds to decide what OS? I'd hope the decision was made before I push the power button!)

Linus,
I'm currently downloading Sidux, and will give it a shot. Like I said, I'm dual booting xPud now. It's surprisingly great. If it were more stable, I'd just stick with that. I like the "kiosk" approach to it, but I'm having a lot of compatibility problems with it. The best thing about it (and what will make it quite popular, once it's stable) is the 10 second boot. From my experience, that's about right, from the Windows/Longhorn loader to desktop is right at 10 seconds...

you can edit the menu.lst to boot whatever entry instantly
jsust change the timeout to 0

sidux off usb should be 10-15sec