Installing a Minimal System

jiewmeng · Post by **jiewmeng** » Sat Feb 18, 2012 6:52 am

Ubuntu has Ubuntu Minimal CD. Is there something similar in Linux Mint? I want to have a base system then install the apps I want eg. GNOME3, lightdm, etc ...

I saw http://forum.linuxmint.com/viewtopic.ph ... 5&p=338392 but I believe it will give me Linux Mint Debian. What are the differences with the Ubuntu one? Can I have a Linux Mint Ubuntu anyways?

Post by **xenopeek** » Sat Feb 18, 2012 7:46 am

The Linux Mint installation media is available only with the default selection of applications. If you want a bare bones system, I'd suggest head on over to Arch Linux because that is the most usable "bare bones & add what you want" distro that I know

Their documentation is excellent.

jiewmeng · Post by **jiewmeng** » Sat Feb 18, 2012 9:01 pm

Ok, I did try Arch Linux in search for a Ubuntu alternative, as it appears to be bugged somewhat, I cannot hibernate/suspend (in fact it causes BIOS beeps on next restart, then I must manually restart it). Sometimes the focus appear to go elsewhere and I need to click on the window header (only, clicking in the window does not work ...). My opinion of Arch is its very updated (I found many packages I need available for install). However, when trying to install it, I need to configure many things manually, which I am not familiar with. It might cause me to break things and waste time in the process ... not really a Linux expert. Perhaps I will take a second look at it, and try to get comfortable

Post by **xenopeek** » Sun Feb 19, 2012 4:04 am

Moved here by moderator

dritzominous · Post by **dritzominous** » Sun Feb 19, 2012 12:40 pm

Or... the Mint team could make a net installer....

http://forums.linuxmint.com/viewtopic.php?f=60&t=87998

Lumikki · Post by **Lumikki** » Sun Feb 19, 2012 1:02 pm

I ques the question is why you want minimal install?

Linux Mint is designed for easy use on desktop computers. What means many common stuff are pre-installed.
I ques my point is that Mint isn't design to be small, more like distribution where everyting is ready.

When I install Mint, I do normal installation. When Mints up, before I do anything else, I start removing softwares what I have no use. After that I upgrade the system. Mostly I do it this way, because what's the point upgrading stuff what you don't even use. Then I add a few softwares what I do use, but is missing in default installation.

Post by **xenopeek** » Sun Feb 19, 2012 1:26 pm

You can of course slim down a default installation. Or use remastersys to create your own minimal system installation (I think).

Some magickery to show the installed packages from smallest installed size to largest installed size (in KiB):

Code: Select all

dpkg-query -Wf '${Installed-Size}\t${PackageSpec}\n' | sort -n

3fRI · Post by **3fRI** » Sun Feb 19, 2012 5:00 pm

A somewhat leaner version of Mint is possible by opting for the CD instead of the DVD install. Afterward, you can add the applications that you need and remove the ones you don't. For example, do really need the entire LibreOffice suite or does AbiWord and Gnumeric, for example, suffice for your needs? Do you need more than one browser or music player? I often install 3 similar applications and compare them for a spell, and then stick with the one I like best and remove the rest.

CanerburyElder · Post by **CanerburyElder** » Sun May 26, 2013 9:57 am

What am I missing? I can't find a CD version for Nadia on the website.
Thanks
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Re: Installing a Minimal System

Postby 3fRI on Sun Feb 19, 2012 5:00 pm
A somewhat leaner version of Mint is possible by opting for the CD instead of the DVD install

jsalpha2 · Post by **jsalpha2** » Sun May 26, 2013 10:11 am

I've seen several posts where someone asks for a Mini Mint. Each time they get shot down. "We have enough versions already." Why the attitude?
Maybe a list of things that are safe to uninstall would be helpful. All I really want for a grandma install is Firefox with the flash plug-in. If she can check her e-mail and do youtube and facebook, she is happy.
I don't think you can uninstall terminal or Software Manager, but those could be hidden in a Utility folder. Libre Office, bit torrent programs, Gimp, etc are out of here. I'm just a newbie and have no clue how to remaster yet. Just my opinion.

CanerburyElder · Post by **CanerburyElder** » Sun May 26, 2013 10:15 am

I have tried remastering and could not get it small enough.
The simple point is to get Mint on a CD, not a DVD. I am trying to help people who have XP on older machines who may not have a DVD reader and may not be able to boot from USB.

Post by **xenopeek** » Sun May 26, 2013 10:21 am

CanerburyElder wrote: I am trying to help people who have XP on older machines who may not have a DVD reader and may not be able to boot from USB.

Then use Linux Mint on a USB and boot from a CD with Plop boot manager. Plop allows you to boot from USB on computers that don't support booting from USB.

Plop: http://www.plop.at/en/bootmanagers.html

Linux Mint on a USB: http://community.linuxmint.com/tutorial/view/744

excollier · Post by **excollier** » Sun May 26, 2013 10:22 am

Try this, I installed it on a 10 year old single core laptop, replacing XP. It's LM 13 Mate, but it is cd size.
http://forums.linuxmint.com/viewtopic.php?f=46&t=103449,
worked well.
Seems the link is dead. If you can't download it, pm me and I will post the cd out to you.