Tiny Core Linux
Tiny Core Linux is a minimal Linux distribution, designed for on-demand software loading. This page describes builds of Tiny Core Linux for the OLPC XO-1 and XO-1.5. For more information on Tiny Core Linux, see http://tinycorelinux.com
People involved:
- James Cameron, does microcore builds,
- Yioryos Asprobounitis, does tinycore with GUI builds,
microcore 3.4 for XO-1.5
- See announcement Tiny Core Linux 3.4 for XO-1.5
Announcing a build of Tiny Core Linux for XO-1.5 based on the kernel from OLPC OS 10.1.3 build os361.
Has been found useful for testing and diagnosis without touching the internal storage. Added recently are a few scripts for backing up and restoring.
Features
- based on Tiny Core Linux 3.4 microcore variant, configured for a single root shell in text mode,
- uses the OLPC kernel, for hardware support,
- includes the wireless firmware shipped with OLPC builds, and binary redistribution of wireless tools from the same builds,
- includes xo-backup, xo-repart, and xo-restore scripts, (these may be destructive, look at them first),
Downloads
- microcore-3.4-xo-1.5-2011-01-06.tar (10 MB) (md5sum 164049655ce326f59ea01aa6334da4a5)
Instructions
- unpack the tar file, on a USB drive (FAT or ext2 filesystem), for example:
cd /media/FRED tar xf microcore-3.4-xo-1.5-2011-01-06.tar
- boot the laptop from the drive,
- after a short wait you will see the system prompt:
root@box:~#
- configure wireless manually:
root@box:~# iwlist eth0 scan root@box:~# iwconfig eth0 essid mynetwork
- a DHCP client is in the background waiting to act when a network interface comes up.
microcore 3.0 for XO-1
The latest build for XO-1 is based on microcore 3.0. Download microcore-3.0-xo-1-2010-08-02.tar (9.8 MB) and then follow the instructions above, subject to the following changes:
- use the correct file name when unpacking the tar file,
- use an ext2 filesystem only (or rename microcore.gz to initrd and change olpc.fth to suit).
tinycore 2.8 with GUI for XO-1 and XO-1.5
In January 2010 a version based on microcore 2.8 was announced for both the XO-1 and XO 1.5.
Ready version of Tiny Core Linux for the XO-1 are available here and instructions for installation (for tc_xo_mm) here
tinycore_xo is the minimal installation with just Xfbdev for display driver
tc_xo_with_apps adds a file manager, basic applications and Opera web browser
tc_xo_mm adds sound, audio and video players
tc_xo_X adds Xorg and functioning game keys
tc-xo_01 in 3 flavors is now available. See the build announcement for more
The tc-xo_02 based on tinycore v2.10 and unmodified OLPC kernel is now available. See the v02 build announcement for more
For further discussion of this variant check this forum thread
References:
- Tiny Core Linux http://www.tinycorelinux.com/
- mktinycorexo script http://dev.laptop.org/~quozl/mktinycorexo/
- mktinycorexo script git repository
git clone http://dev.laptop.org/~quozl/mktinycorexo/.git