I recently downloaded the ISO image for SliTaz Linux, and I'd like to install it on my old Compaq Laptop. I think it has 64MB of RAM, 8GB HD, maybe less, and idk anything else about it. I don't have a way of figuring it out since I deleted windows and there is no OS on it at the moment.

The problem I'm having at the moment is this. I click enter to boot SliTaz and it gets down to the part "Unpacking initramfs" and it stops. I left the room for a while and when I came back, the screen was black. Am I doing something wrong? My laptop is a Compaq Presario 1200.

If this helps any, here's the wikipedia page.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compaq_Presario_1200 I know my laptop has a DVD Drive. Oh, and it says they have JBL speakers, so it must be the 1200-XL125 version. If that helps.

Had a similar Compaq, model # is on the bottom, you'll want to know the exact amount of memory
check out post: http://forum.slitaz.org/comments.php?DiscussionID=41&page=1#Item_21
tikbalang really helped me

Thanks guys, I'll check that one out.

btw, Spork, which file do I download?:

slitaz-loram.iso
slitaz-loram-cdrom.iso
slitaz-loram-cdrom-sqfs.iso

I believe it is the slitaz-loram.iso if it is 64MB or higher, slitaz-loram-cdrom.iso if you want to go as low as 10MB.

Tried slitaz-loram.iso and it didn't work. Going to try the other one soon.

Tried the slitaz-loram-cdrom.iso, but it doesn't seem to work.

if you can put boot options, add this:

acpi=off
power_off=1

On a similar vein, apic=off might help.

Out of interest, what does the power_off flag do?

power_off=

i found that in an old distro to turn off power on shutdown using apm. it may not be present in all linuxes but those two lines solve my startup/shutdown problems on my old pc.

Okay, thanks :)

OK, The furthest I've gotten, was with the slitaz-loram-cdrom.iso. Here's the problem;

So the problem has to be with the Fast Ethernet CardBus PC Card. I took it out, and it boots with ease. So thanks for all the help thus far. I'd also like to know if I can actually run this laptop on the internet? I was able to connect to the internet before deleting windows, but that was by using a USB cord.

OK, so now all I need to do is install Slitaz to my laptop. But, it isn't working. I go to system tools, and then I click on the Slitaz Installer, but nothing happens, it justs asks me for a root password and that's it. I click ok, and nothing happens. So yeah, need step by step instructions on installing it.

Does anything happen if you use a terminal, su root and run the slitaz-installer again? I've had lots of sudo problems, esp. with GUI apps.

I'll try it and update you on it.

I was able to run slitaz installer, only problem was that I had to type in "root" as password. It finally works, but when it asks where I'd like to install it or whatever, I type in /dev/hda. Anyways it stops at:

Executing mkfs.ext3 on /dev/hda It always stops at 60% and doesn't do anything else. Am I typing the wrong location? what I mean is, is /dev/hda the right location?

I tried the su root thing, and the same thing happens.

The installer lets you see a list of available partitions, which end in a number like hda1.

You can use Menu/System_tools/GParted to make partitions before running the installer.

Alright, I'll try making partitions first.

You also can make a swap partition of 200mb or 2gb to compensate for little ram.