Do it yourself installation of Linux distribution on Compact Flash

[modµ]

Hello,

I am quite new to Linux but very eager to use it for embedded applications.

I recently bought a miniPC, having 128MB of RAM and a Compact Flash slot. The processor is a Vortex86 running at 200MHz.

I want to run an embedded application for model railroad control. This is an application that principally does not need any user interface in the sense of mouse, keyboard or display. So I do not need all the graphical stuff.

I have been looking to several possibilities like Puppy Linux and X Linux. Other suitable distribions may exist.

I would like to be able to install a Linux distribution on a CF card, using a Windows XP or (Ubuntu) Linux host PC. Then stick the CF card in the miniPC and let it boot. I managed to do this for FreeDOS, but up to know did not succeed for Puppy Linux (and I also would like to try X Linux).

Can anyone point out to me what the general step-by-step procedure would be to get Linux running on CF (for any kind of distribution). I assume that several steps will be involved like formatting the CF, writing a MBR or installing a bootloader, setting up file systems, copying files etc.

I would prefer to do this from the command line console, using linux commands, because it is the most generic way + this way I get to know bash and the commands with their options.

Many thanks

Rudy

[Jonathan183]

Not really an answer to your question but ...
have you considered using something like Gentoo, if you don't want a GUI you just don't add it. You can google something like gentoo on compact flash and should find something that helps if you decide to go that way.