Puppy Linux FAQ

There is no mouse support during the Automated Install Procedure. Use left or right arrow keys to accept or cancel any changes.  Use Up or Down arrow keys to scroll through the list of options. Use Enter key to select OK.

At the first boot of the Live Disc, Puppy Linux will search for a previously installed save file. As there is no previously installed save file, Puppy will load itself into RAM. This first boot will be significantly slower than subsequent boots after the save file has been created.

Automated Install Procedure Using Puppy Live Disc

• Boot Live Disc.
• Wait until prompted to select:
  • Keyboard: Puppy will automatically pick the keyboard type for your computer, now choose OK.
  • Country Setting: Puppy will automatically pick the country setting for your local, now choose OK.
  • Timezone selector: Pick your local time. Now choose OK.
  • Video (Xorg or Xvesa): At the next screen, choose a video mode. Puppy will automatically select the correct video mode for your video card and monitor. You may select an alternate mode if available, 24-bit color is preferable to 16-bit. Now choose OK.
• Puppy will boot normally.
• Now reboot Puppy.
• Choose Save to file (or Save to CD or Do not save) then press OK.
• Now select destination drive and press OK.
• You may (or may not) now give the pup_save.2fs file a new name if desired then press OK.
• Choose Normal (no encryp.).
• Choose a size for pupsave.2fs file then press OK. You may select the default size of 512MB.
  • Problems have been reported with pup_save.2fs file sizes greater than 1GB.
  • Do not select a file size greater than the available free space of the destination drive.
  • FAT partitions have a maximum file size of 1GB.
• Review your choices and if all is well press Yes save.
• Now wait for the prompt detailed in the next step.
• Press Yes so that pup-431.sfs is copied to hard disc. Puppy will now reboot normally and the installation is complete.

Warning: If your computer uses NTFS be certain to defrag your hard drive before you do an automated save file install.

What Is An Automated Save File Install?

With the above procedure you continue to boot with the live disc and any software, settings or files you create, install or modify are permanently stored in the save file. From the users point of view this is functionally equivalent to a full install except that the Llive Disc must always remain in the drive during bootup. After booting the Live Disc may be removed thus freeing up the drive for other uses.