Tiny Core Linux is a lightweight Linux distribution that can run on older hardware, such as that emulated by PCem. By default, it runs in RAM and does not save anything to a hard disk. Usually, it requires Internet access in order to install programs, which come in TCZ files called extensions. Extensions are similar to packages in other Linux distributions. They may contain programs, documentation, or files with program settings. Extensions sometimes require other extensions to be installed in order to work properly; these other extensions are called dependencies and are listed in DEP files.
The steps below will walk you through an installation of Tiny Core Linux to a hard drive image. They are based upon the instructions at http://distro.ibiblio.org/tinycorelinux/install_manual.html. However, everything will be done from the shell rather than via GUI programs. If you wish to follow those instructions using GUI programs, you will probably need a TinyCore or CorePlus CD image and will probably need to set up PCem with network access.

What you'll need

NOTE: In the following instructions, bold text should be typed into PCem. Unless stated otherwise, press Enter after each line. You can use tab completion for some commands, file names, and directory names.

Installing the extensions

Start PCem with the CD image in the CD drive. At the boot prompt, press Enter. After Tiny Core boots from the CD, you should reach the shell and see a line starting with tc@box.

Partitioning the hard drive

While in cfdisk, use the left and right arrow keys to navigate the menu at the bottom of the screen, and press Enter to select an option.

Boot partition

Optional: Swap partition

A swap partition is hard drive space that can be used like RAM. This can be useful if the actual RAM gets filled up, but writing to and reading from the hard drive is slower.

Finishing up

After you have set up all of the partitions that you want:

Formatting the hard drive

Copying files to the hard drive

Setting up GRUB

default 0
timeout 10
title Tiny Core 7
kernel /boot/vmlinuz text
initrd /boot/core.gz
The hard disk image is now ready. Eject the floppy and CD images. You can shut down the system with poweroff or restart with reboot.


EmulatorResources/PCem/Linux last edited by feos on 8/2/2023 3:15 PM
Page History Latest diff List referrers View Source