(old)Puppy Linux Discussion Forum

Is there a way to install puppy linux without modifying the MBR or creating partitions ?

Basically I want to install a linux distro (any distro, except ubuntu) without creating any partitions or overwriting the MBR. Just modify boot.ini to load puppy

Get the 525 pre-compiled here: http://www.murga-linux.com/puppy/viewtopic.php?t=61404

reasonit wrote:Is there a way to install puppy linux without modifying the MBR or creating partitions ?

Basically I want to install a linux distro (any distro, except ubuntu) without creating any partitions or overwriting the MBR. Just modify boot.ini to load puppy

Lin 'N Win

http://www.icpug.org.uk/national/linnwi ... innwin.htm

Some of the steps require unprotecting/unhiding files. If you live boot the Puppy CD, you can see and modify the boot.ini without this step...

I've done this to several machines (Win98, WinXP -- just grab the appropriate grubloader that is offered -- the instructions branch for Windows type).

Now, as for "any distro", most distros require a working partition -- Puppy uses a container file instead (and I don't know if you can make the others run in a container).

So Puppy can do what you want.

Thanks guys, hope this works

It works unless you have Vista or Win7

If you have them then I would try Wubi of an old version of "Safe install" Jolicloud tjat is a small version of Ubuntu that uses wubi in that install not in the others. That is as safe as one can get without having deep knowledge on Visa and Win7 installs.

the other way is to use a grub4dos on a USB stick and boot up frugally puppy on the hdd. That make a safe copy of the MBR but maybe that is risky too. I know too little. I waited two years before I tested it on my Acer D250 Netbook to be sure I did not lose the warranty.
So if yoy have win xp then what ICPUG describe is very good solution.