SARPi Project - Slacking on a Raspberry Pi

Slackware Linux on a Raspberry Pi Installation Guide

Welcome to the SARPi Project's Slackware Linux installation guide. This step-by-step guide aims to be a comprehensive, end-to-end, "How To" for installing Slackware Linux on a Raspberry Pi single board computer.

In this guide we'll be installing Slackware AArch64 on a Raspberry Pi 5. Of course, your setup may not be the same as the one used here so adjustments need to be made and considered for variations in that respect. No matter which Raspberry Pi computer you're using, or Slackware Linux operating system you're installing, this guide aims to cover all eventualities.

It begins with configuring a storage device such as a microSD card or SSD, and takes you through each stage of the process. Including; downloading and/or accessing the Slackware Linux source media, plugging in and powering on your Raspberry Pi, setting up the NIC (network) for remote installation, setting up partitions, configuring the system for installation, running Slackware 'setup', selecting packages to install, installing the Slackware Linux operating system, customising/optimising boot options, and updating/upgrading the system after installation.

There's a much shorter SARPi.README file, containing installation instructions, included within each installer image, for those who do not have time to RTFM. If you do not need Slackware Linux installation intructions, the SARPi installer images and packages are available from the Downloads page.

Some sections of this guide are marked with an [option] which means you can choose to follow them, or not, depending on how you intend to carry out your Slackware Linux installation. Each section is linked to the next at the bottom of the page, for ease and continuity.

NB: The SARPi installers and packages for Slackware Linux on Raspberry Pi computers are not official Slackware software. They have been created and are maintained by the SARPi Project (i.e. that's us, a Linux community group of individuals). Official Slackware software for Raspberry Pi computers only supports the Raspberry Pi 4 (i.e. AArch64 64-bit) at this time [29 Feb 2024]. Whereas the SARPi Project supports 32-bit and 64-bit Slackware Linux operating systems on almost all Raspberry Pi single board computers, and will continue to do so until it's no longer viable.

The SARPi Project is a Slackware community effort by individuals and not officially supported or endorsed by Slackware Linux, Inc. or Raspberry Pi Ltd.

•

And So It Begins...

If you're using this guide, it's advisable to follow the links below starting from the top.

•

Support for Slackware Linux

It's always worth bearing in mind that the Slackware Linux project is funded entirely through donations. If you'd like to show your appreciation, and/or to support the development of Slackware, you're able to do so directly via Patrick Volkerding's PayPal.Me link, or Slackware Linux on Patreon.

If you're in need of help, or have something to contribute, one of the best places to get (and offer) support for Slackware Linux is on the Linux Questions Forum. Another valuable resource is the Slackware Documentation Project.

•