One step SLAX HDD INSTALL in windows C: (without partitioning, using unetbootin):
1) unetbootin download:
http://unetbootin.sourceforge.net/
Do the following, do no choose any other option:
Select windows unetbootin download; select slax distribution; select type: hard disk drive C:: let unetbootin do the job (downloading slax); agree to reboot. After bios boot you will be offered the choice between windows and unetbootin. Choose unetbootin. Let it boot to be in the graphical envrironment or press tab to select amongst the usb choices, wheter it be graphical, text mode, ram or PXE.
IMPORTANT: The next reboot will be in the window environment. At the window prompt do not select remove previous installation of unetbootin. This would remove the unetbootin installation that you just have setup. At next boot, just after the bios booting, you will have two choices. Select unetbootin and slax will boot.
ALSO, TAKE CARE NOT DELETING ANY FILE IN YOUR WINDOW ENVIRONMENT UNLESS YOU ARE SURE OF WHAT YOU DO. WHEN IN THE WINDOWS ENVIRONMENT, MANY PROGRAM FILES OF YOUR WINDOW ENVIRONMENT ARE HIDDEN. THESE FILES ARE USUALLY IN THE /mnt/hda1 directory (that should contain the /windows directory). You usually work with files in /mnt/hda1/Documents and Settings/xx directory, where xx are your user name.
ENJOY
Note: In a few words, One step SLAX HDD INSTALL in windows C: is an automated poor man's install (see knoppix) using the window xp or vista bootloader. This seems the best installation method for newbies, naive users or persons arriving from window os. We can make it more complicated and sophisticated later.
unetbootin is a GPL software, here is a tutorial as to how it works (a less than one page tutorial):
To install these packages, you have to search in the module section at the top of the page. There is or are some threads about installing modules or .lzm in the thread of Captain Picard, here above hyperlinked.
Using Easybcd to customize the slax installation under WINDOWS VISTA.
As the bootloader tag is unetbootin and not slax, and as the automatic loading timing is set to 20 second and set to window vista, you might want to change that in the medium to long run. The settings of the window bootloader (BCD) are not optimal.
As soon as you appreciate Slax, you can make changes to the bootloader so to get the os automatic booting to Slax. You can do that using a free window program called Easybcd. The download button is at the end of the download page:
Install the software by double clicking on it. Start it. Look at what is printed into the windows bootloader by clicking on View settings.
Replacing unetbootin entry of windows bootloader by Slax 6.1.2 entry:
Use Change settings in easybcd to replace unetbootin tag by slax 6.1.2, that is in fact your linux OS. To do so in Entry based settings, Choose an OS to change the associated settings, select unetbootin, in Name, write slax 6.1.2. Then click on Save settings.
To get Slax 6.1.2 to boot automatically instead of windows:
Also in Change settings of easybcd, use Global Settings, Default OS: where you select Slax 6.1.2. At the same time you can shorten the Bootloader Timeout: personally I use 3 (for 3 seconds) as the value.
But maybe you are not so happy with slax. It is very easily removed. Or better do not hesitate to write on the slax forum, at:
Once in the nice gui of easybcd, select Change settings in EasyBCD Toolbox.
In the bottom part of the right panel, i.e. in Entry based settings, Choose an os so change ... , select unetbootin. For the Name, replace unetbootin by slax 6.1.2, validate and save.
In the upper part of the right panel, i.e. in Global settings, Default os: should be set to slax 6.1.2. As 20 seconds is too long for me, I set bootloader timing to 3 seconds, validate and save.
Exit Easybcd and reboot to see the results. Your installation is customized.
You may ask yourself why I do insist on this one step hdd install of linux or slax? Maybe you do not remember the first time you came from window to linux. And I realize that I did forget myself. Until this summer, when I tried to install some linux distribution on the computer of a very closed friend of mine: Sylvie.
It was not possible to install slax because of conflicting drivers, and the bios would not boot a usb key. As there has been some time since I played with debian ot ubuntu, I almost erased everything she had on her computer accidentaly. I had had put a hand on that man made french canadian version of debian or ubuntu that would directly install itself on hdd.
I never thought that a modern linux distribution could by itself decide to erase part of the disk, but it did. The recovery partition was still there, and she could restore her installation. OUF! But my reputation as a linux connaisseur was done: zero.
Let me tell you that she was almost traumatized.
That was surely the inspiration for that one step install, and one step uninstall method, without partition with unetbootin. This procedure would be the safer and the simplest one to newcomers or naive to linux, or more precisely my favorite distribution slax.
It would be a good way to introduce naive peolple to the wonderful world of linux. We have to tame these people. Don't forget that linux represent only one percent of the market.
I hope she tries that one. And writes about it, in this forum.
Did you read what the author of the article said? Quoting: The only install we could find was a Live version that loads partially onto the hard disk. As such, the install comparison is not really fair (Slax took 10 minutes to configure in total for the Live version) and there is no comparison for boot time, since each time you use it, the installer kicks in from the CD. That made Slax less flexible, and required that we bring an external DVD drive with us at all times. (We also could not find a USB version of the distro.) Once loaded, Slax ran quickly on the Aspire One. Really? No USB version????? Are you kidding us? And what's this with the 10 minutes? At this point I was about to give up reading it, but I pressed on...
For example, while the volume buttons on the netbook worked with the other OSes we tested, it did not work with Slax. We also could not get the Wi-Fi connection to work. He is right here... *cough*
Slax did not support PDF or Flash, a sign that the OS has fallen behind other distros Not supporting PDF? WTF? I still use 6.07 and I don't remember having to install any extra apps for that. Still, I'm pressing on...
There are only two background wallpapers included with Slax. Yeah, as if I need more than 2 and say that if I did, they are only one click away...
You might be able to find a USB install and get Slax running well on a netbook, but one criterion we had was that the download and install process be easy... Can you have an easier install for an OS than the one for Slax? Untar, run bat/sh file and you're done? Gimme a break!!!
The conclusion for me is that the guy who wrote the article is at best misinformed. Therefore I wouldn't use the article as an advertisement for Slax.
And you are right. I think that we have to get out of the forum to correct the false impression of people talking about slax without really knowing the possibilities of the os. I would understand the comments coming from a naive linux user. But from someone who also did look at other linux distributions, it is surprising.
I thought the conclusion was not that bad, citation:
So, if Slax performed so well in our tests, you might wonder why we did not pick it as the best choice for netbooks. Speed is important, and a main goal was to make the Aspire One run faster. However, we just were not as impressed with the OS overall, especially in terms of customization options, software support, and options for how you install it. You might be able to find a USB install and get Slax running well on a netbook, but one criterion we had was that the download and install process be easy and the OS work well without a lot of tweaking, and Slax falls short.
But after your comments, I get even more deceived about that review.
Why don't you react in the comment space at the end of the article? I find that your analysis is quite refined. Maybe we should get out of the slax forum, to straighten things up.
"So, if Slax performed so well in our tests, you might wonder why we did not pick it as the best choice for netbooks. "
Netbook need a customised linux especially with regard to drivers for wifi ,and perhaps screen display to suit the smaller screen , I think, distros that have a customised version or is solely targeted at netbook especially one that can offer a working out of the box for at least specific /common netbook like assus , msi ,acer aspire one , hp mini etc , have the advantage.
Slax only advantage at the moment is the small space requirement for a frugal installation and ease of setting up a usb installation.
I know that alisou has adapted slax or explained how to easily modify slax for eeepc.
For my MSI ultratin x340, there is no graphic and wifi issues. The laptop ran out of the box. I am presently working from my ntfs side to side vista-slax installation. Yet everything is working fine. No bugs at all except for an issue with changes.
I have tried maybe 100 times install salx to hd, not working ! I dont understand how you can say that slax is easy install to hd...
I have too use slax from cd, i have tried 3 days install that to hd... Windows IS EASY INSTALL to computer, not slax.. I keep trying istall hd, maybe some day i found the way do it,but it is NOT easy !
It could happen. It depends on your understanding and on your meticulous follow-up of the instructions provided by the threads of the forum.
Did you tried the actual method (see first post)? It is all done from windows with a nice gui, and with mswin intuitive mouse strokes. The download of the slax os is automated.
Just give us your feedback and expose you difficulties.
There are thousands of people using slax. We will be happy to make you happy.
The installation with unetbootin is darn fast. The removal of the installation too. I would like you to try it so that we can understand if there are some caveats. Feedbact would be appreciated.
I have been trying it on different computers. And actually, I am working since on such an installation to test its limits.
One step SLAX HDD INSTALL in windows C: is converting widows users to slax adept. I know at least one of these, and a few others are to come. Why don't you talk to a friend about slax.
