How to Install Puppy Linux (with Pictures)

2024 Author: Jason Gerald | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-01-02 02:28

This wikiHow teaches you how to install Puppy Linux on a PC. Unlike other Linux distributions, Puppy Linux does not require a complete installation. You can create a boot disk or drive and load the operating system from that disk or drive as needed. If you want to mount it on a drive after creating it from an image, it's also easy to install.

Step

Part 1 of 2: Loading Puppy Linux

Step 1. Download the operating system ISO file

You can get the latest version of the official image from the website. The " Compatibility " field tells you the packages and distribution components included in the Puppy Linux image file.

Step 2. Create a bootable CD, DVD or USB drive

To install Puppy Linux, you'll need to load it from the ISO image file that you downloaded earlier. This means that you will need to create a loadable CD, DVD or USB drive that has a Puppy Linux ISO file.

• CD/DVD: To burn an optical disc in Windows 10, right-click the downloaded ISO file and select “ Burn disc images " If you are using Linux, you can use a disc burning program (eg Brasero) to copy or burn image files to discs. Make sure you burn the disc as an image, and not a data disc.

• Step 3. Load the operating system from the image file

  After creating the boot disc or drive, restart the computer so Puppy Linux can load from the disc or drive. After passing through several dark windows with text, you will arrive at the Puppy Linux desktop and a “Quick Setup” window.

  If the computer has the main operating system or the one you normally use, enter the system BIOS and prioritize the optical and/or USB ports over the hard drive (where the main operating system is installed). Read the article on how to access the BiOS to learn how to enter the operating system BIOS

  

  Step 4. Select settings and click OK

  If you want to change the language, time zone, or other settings, you can do so at this stage. Otherwise, just click “ X ” in the upper right corner of the window to close it.

  

  Step 5. Save session (optional)

  If you just want to try Puppy Linux and not have it installed, you are free to do so. Since this operating system runs entirely in RAM, all changes and actions are erased when the computer is turned off. If you don't want to install Puppy Linux, but want to keep changes made to the operating system, follow these steps:

  • When you are ready to exit the operating system, select “ Menu ” > “ Shut Down ” > “ Reboot Computer ”.
  • Click " SAVE ” in the pop-up window.
  • Select a file system and click " OK ”.
  • Type in the name of the session you want to save and click “ OK ”.
  • Choose " Normal ” if you don't want to encrypt files (a common option), or select an encryption method and follow the instructions on the screen.
  • Select the size of the saved file and click “ OK " Option " 512MB ” is usually the right choice.
  • If you like the existing storage directory, click “ YES, SAVE " If not, click " CHANGE FOLDER ” and select another directory. You can save changes to a bootable installation media, even a CD or DVD as long as the disc is rewritable. Once the file is saved, the computer will restart.

  Part 2 of 2: Installing Puppy Linux

  

  Step 1. Load Puppy Linux from the installation media

  If you want to permanently install Puppy Linux, instead of just loading it from an image or drive, start by loading the operating system from an image or boot drive that has already been created. When you arrive at the desktop, move on to the next step.

  

  Step 2. Click Menu

  It's in the lower-left corner of the screen.

  

  Step 3. Select the Setup menu

  Other menu branches will be expanded after that.

  

  Step 4. Click Puppy Installer

  This option is at the bottom of the menu.

  

  Step 5. Click Universal installer

  This option is the first option.

  

  Step 6. Select the installation location

  The developers recommend that users install the operating system on a removable or removable USB media (eg a fast drive or external hard drive), or select the " Frugal " mount option on the internal hard drive. If you select an internal hard drive, you will see a “Frugal” option after a while.

  

  Step 7. Select the drive you want to install the operating system on

  The drive information will be displayed after that.

  

  Step 8. Select the partition

  If you choose the " Frugal " mount option, you don't have to bother creating a new partition for Puppy Linux. It doesn't matter if you choose an existing partition. If you want to install Puppy Linux completely on its own partition, click the “ Gparted ” to create a custom partition.

  Select or create a FAT32 partition if you want to use the drive as removable storage

  

  Step 9. Click OK to confirm the partition

  

  Step 10. Select the location of the loading media file (boot)

  This file is an ISO image on the CD/DVD/USB drive you created.

  

  Step 11. Select the Frugal installation option or Full.

  If you want to install the operating system on any drive without a special Puppy Linux partition, select “ Frugal " If you are creating a new partition, select " full ”.

  

  Step 12. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation

  Once the file is installed, you'll be asked to adjust some of the last details, such as setting the bootloader.

  

  Step 13. Save session ("Frugal" installation option only)

  If you select the full or “Full” installation option, the changes made to the system will be saved automatically. However, the “Frugal” installation option (both on a USB drive and an internal drive) requires you to manually save the session before exiting or closing the operating system. Follow these steps:

  • Choose " Menu ” > “ Shut Down ” > “ Reboot Computer ”.
  • Click " SAVE ” in the pop-up window.
  • Select a file system and click " OK ”.
  • Type in the name of the saved session and click “ OK ”.
  • Choose " Normal ” if you don't want to encrypt files (a common option), or select an encryption method and follow the instructions on the screen.
  • Select the size of the saved file and click “ OK " Option " 512MB ” is usually the right choice.
  • If you like the existing storage directory, click “ YES, SAVE " If not, click " CHANGE FOLDER ” and select another directory. You can save changes to a bootable installation media, even a CD or DVD as long as the disc is rewritable. Once the file is saved, the computer will restart.