this post was submitted on 14 Nov 2024
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I've installed debian on an old laptop and am wondering if the 10 gig base system size can be slimmed down by deleting unneeded files.

I ran the commands to look for any runaway logs or other obviously large files and nothing popped out.

Is there a group of folders full of stuff I don't need or is this just the size of modern distros?

EDIT: I ended up doing a netinstall and got a 6ish gig system so I'm pretty happy with that. The netinstall image was able to detect my wifi card even though the debian live installer was not.

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[–] WhiteOakBayou@lemmy.world 1 points 1 month ago (2 children)

i have broken the install a few times just deleting stuff. The live disk won't find my wifi card so i can't net install unless I buy an ethernet adapter.

[–] MajorHavoc@programming.dev 5 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago)

the live disk won't find my Wifi

Oof.

In case it helps: I have solved that problem for myself using a $9.00 USB Wifi dongle.

For whatever reason (other contributors facing the same issue?), I have found that every cheapo USB Wifi dongle I have tried has worked perfectly with the minimal Linux images.

I realize I might have just gotten really lucky a bunch of times, but it could be worth a try.

[–] shertson@lemmy.world 4 points 1 month ago (1 children)

If you have another USB drive, I think you should be able to load the wifi drivers from that when using the netinstall. I am pretty sure I remember doing that 15 years ago.

[–] WhiteOakBayou@lemmy.world 2 points 1 month ago

That's a good idea. I can probably scrounge one up