HD Install :: Frugal & apt-get ?

i'm building a new pictureframe-from-old-laptop. this one is going to mom, so trying to make it bulletproof.

installed Frugal DSL on 256mb CF w/ ide adapter in *old* dell. works great. enable apt... apt-get install feh... alll good. run slide show off SD card... nice.

restart.

all gone?...

any way to install to the cf (hda1) and then make it 'frugal'?? is there a simple way to do this or will i need to copy a bunch of files? i read there's a flag in the bootloader... will that control where the files install to?
thx!
ef

original here.