lubuntu-qa team mailing list archive

[Nio Wiklund <nio.wiklund@xxxxxxxxx>]

Getting ready for easier conversion from Windows XP:

Now there are instructions how to make an install USB drive
*from Windows with graphical user interface tools* in

https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Lubuntu-fake-PAE

Best regards
Nio

On 2013-05-06 10:44, Nio Wiklund wrote:
> Hello all Lubuntu lovers,
> 
> Now there are three methods to make the new Ubuntu family 32-bit pae
> kernels available for Pentium M, that have pae capability, but do not
> show the pae flag.
> 
> 
> 1. Mörgæs's method to start from the Ubuntu 12.04 non-pae mini-iso file
> 
> https://help.ubuntu.com/community/PAE
> 
> A variant of this method is that people who have
> - more or less personalized versions of Lubuntu 12.04 running, or
> - already have a Lubuntu 12.04 iso file and a slow internet connection
> use fake-pae to upgrade to 12.10 and/or 13.04.
> 
> 
> *. Lubuntu-13.04-fake-PAE
> 
> The idea is to make it easier for people who want to go directly into a
> new version of Lubuntu. This is a good alternative for a fresh install
> (instead of downloading 12.04 and upgrading twice to newer releases).
> 
> Right now the software (images to download and README files) resides on
> my google drive, but once it is tested by a few more people, Phill
> Whiteside can host it on his web-site. Only two persons have tested it
> (one person except myself), and I ask you for help.
> 
> https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=0B46yhFQuJvfPRXRvSmJ6b0xoNE0&usp=sharing
> 
> A. Please test if the installation process works, and that the README
> texts work, even if you have no laptop with Pentium M. I need feedback
> from you to improve the instructions, so that the installation will work
> also for people who are not so experienced with terminal window commands.
> 
> B. If you have no time to test an installation, please read the README
> files at the google drive site, and suggest improvments to make it
> better! Any suggestions are welcome, general ones that make it easier to
> follow, added text, changed text, improved English grammar (I am
> Swedish, and there might be some Swenglish phrases, that should be
> changed). Also tell me which method you prefer 'grub-n-iso' or
> 'installed system', and why :-)
> 
> 
> 2. 'grub-n-iso'
> 
> Advantages:
> Similar to normal installation (via 1GB or 2GB USB drive)
> No upgrading between versions is necessary
> Full flexibility, for example to make a dual boot system
> 
> Disadvantages:
> You do not get a complete worḱing operating system directly
> You need to install fake-pae using 7bit's ppa after the installation
> It uses the desktop iso file, while the alternate iso file can install
> to systems with lower RAM.
> 
> Warning: This Lubuntu Raring 'grub-n-iso’ system is not intended to run
> with non-pae CPUs, it is only intended for Pentium M, that have pae
> capability but no pae flag. I take no responsibility for any damage,
> that this software can cause.
> 
> Backup all personal data before trying this method.
> 
> Use it only for computers with old Pentium M CPUs without the pae flag
> (mainly if not only laptops)!
> 
> Check very carefully which drive is the USB drive, to use as the
> ‘grub-n-iso’ or ‘grub-n-iso-n-swap’ USB boot drive. Double check and
> triple check, because dd will overwrite the drive and if you write to a
> drive with unique data, there is no way to get them back.
> 
> The ‘grub-n-iso’ system should work well with 1 GB RAM or more, maybe
> with 768 MB. The ‘grub-n-iso-n-swap’ system can install will less RAM,
> because the swap can relieve some peaks in memory usage. It depends on
> the computer specs (not only RAM, also graphics chip and other devices,
> that use memory) if it will work, but I guess you can to install with
> 512 GB RAM. My guess is based on tests in VirtualBox. If you have less
> RAM, I suggest that you use another method, either the
> Lubuntu-13.04-fake-PAE install method 'installed system', or the method
> by Mörgæs starting with Ubuntu non-pae 12.04 mini.iso, fake-pae, and
> upgrading to
> 12.10 (and 13.04). See https://help.ubuntu.com/community/PAE
> 
> 
> 3. Installed system
> 
> Advantages:
> No live install CD/DVD/USB drive is used
> No upgrading between versions is necessary
> You get a complete worḱing operating system directly
> 
> Disadvantages:
> It is a different way to install a system.
> It installs into 16 GB (the first 16 GB of a drive)
> It is easier to use 'grub-n-iso' for a dual boot system
> 
> 
> This Lubuntu Raring 'installed system' can run with at least the later
> Pentium M cpus. Right now it is on a USB 3 pendrive, installed from the
> Lubuntu Raring desktop iso in a modern computer and tested in my IBM
> Thinkpad T42 with Pentium M 1,7 GHz. It uses the fake-pae method of
> 7-bit @ubuntuforums to let the 32-bit pae kernel be updated with CPUs
> without a pae flag.
> 
> I'm not sure if older Pentium M CPUs can run well with it. Check, that
> 
> cat /proc/cpuinfo
> 
> reports 36 bit physical address size!
> 
> Warning: This Lubuntu Raring 'installed system' is not intended to run
> with non-pae CPUs, it is only intended for Pentium M, that have pae
> capability but no pae flag. I take no responsibility for any damage,
> that this software can cause.
> 
> 
> *. Background
> 
> The Pentium M CPUs are a special case. They have pae capability, but do
> not announce the pae flag. So they fall between the chairs. With the
> fake-pae trick, introduced by 7bit @ ubuntuforums, it is possible to
> upgrade. There are many high-quality professional laptops around with
> Pentium M processors.
> 
> My Raring installation on a USB 3 pendrive runs beautifully on my old
> Thinkpad with Pentium M without the pae flag. So the fake-pae flag helps
> it sit on the pae chair.
> 
> This is what I am willing to offer to other Pentium M owners.
> 
> 
> Best regards
> Nio alias sudodus
>