Install Methods
From XDSL
| Table of contents |
Frugal install
The XDSL compressed filesystem is copied to the "E" drive. Since the filesystem is heavily compressed it is mounted read-only so this is just like running the livecd, except all the files reside on your hard disk.
Pros
- Smallest install size (50MBs!).
- Easy upgrade for future versions (simply replace KNOPPIX file).
- Your settings/apps are kept seperate from the main filesytem so can't mess up the install by editing an important file/replacing a important app.
Cons
- You can't use apt-get to install programs (can use dsl extensions instead).
- Large parts of the filesystem cannot be written to making configuration changes harder.
Loopback install
With this method the XDSL filesystem is installed onto a single 'loopback' file which is copied to one of your Xbox's partitions ("E","F" or "G").
Pros
- Choose your install size (from 200MB to 2000MB).
- Can use apt-get to install Debian programs (the Debian repositories are huge, pratically any program you want should be availabe).
- Can change X-DSL as much as you like since the filesystem is writable.
Cons
- Minimum install still takes up 200MB, a lot more than frugal.
- You are currently limited to maximum size of 2000MB for the loopback file, which may not be enough for some people.
- No procedure to upgrade to future versions of X-DSL, will require reinstallation.
Native install
Here X-DSL is installed to a native linux partition is created in the extra space available on hard disks bigger that 8GBs.
Pros
- If you have a large hard disk, the root filesystem can be much larger than the 2GB limit of the loopback install.
- Can use apt-get to install debian programs.
- Can change X-DSL as much as you like since the filesystem is writable.
- Fastest performance. Other install methods have a filesystem running inside a filesystem, which just adds overheads to any i/o operations.
Cons
- No choice about install size, it will just wipe out F and use the entire partition
- No procedure to upgrade to future versions of XDSL, will require reinstallation
How to install
Having booted from the Live CD right click on the desktop (B on the controller) to open the fluxbox menu. Select the appropriate install method under Apps, Tools. You will be guided through the install process.
