Specifications

muLinux http://sunsite.auc.dk/mulinux/
muLinux will boot in 4mb but only in a limited single−user mode. In this mode fdisk and
mkswap are available but mkfs.ext2 and the libraries needed to run it are on the /usr partition
which is not available in maintenance mode. To use muLinux to do the whole
pre−installation procedure the files needed to create ext2 file−systems must be extracted
from the usr disk image and copied onto a floppy.
This gives the option of either using SmallLinux to create the partitions and muLinux to copy the root
partition or using muLinux to do the whole job. Since I had two laptops I tried both.
3.2 The Distribution
It didn't take much time to choose Slackware. Apart from the fact that I like it but haven't used it much and
want to learn more, I considered the following points:
• Slackware has possibly the most low−tech DIY install of all the major distributions. It is also one of
the most flexible, coming with a wide range of boot−disk kernels to suit many different machines.
This makes it well suited to the kind of hacking about required in this scenario.
• Slackware supports all the methods listed in Which Installation method to use?.
• Slackware is a distribution designed by one person. I'm sure Patrick Volkerding won't object if I say
this means its configuration tools are simpler and more streamlined. In my opinion this makes the job
of trimming the installation to fit cramped conditions easier.
Version 7.0 was the latest version when I tried this so that's what I used.
But I don't like Slackware!
You don't have to use it. I can't answer for all the distributions but I know that Debian, Red Hat and SuSE
offer a range of installation methods and have an "expert" installation procedure
Does Debian do any other kind?
which can be used here. Most of the steps in this document would apply to any of the distributions without
change.
If you haven't used the expert method with your preferred distribution before, do a trial run on a simple
desktop machine to get the feel of it and to explore the options it offers.
3.3 Which installation method to use?
Floppy Install
This means churning out 15 floppies − which only gives you an absolute minimal install and
requires a second stage to get the apps you want on. It's also very slow on such low−spec
machines. This is a last resort if you can't make the others work.
4mb−Laptops
3.2 The Distribution 6