Flash_Boot_Only_iso? A Possible Suggestions to Mr KNOPPER ?

[utu]

To "open" the ISO within mc: Select the downloaded ISO and [Enter]. You'll see the content of the ISO: "KNOPPIX, boot, efi ...". Select KNOPPIX and [Enter]. Now you'll see the file bootonly.iso. Copy this file to another position and burn it to a CD or use it within VirtualBox, VMWare or kvm-qemu.

This cannot be inferred as a solution from the premise that one doesn't have a cd/dvd capability and the statement:

The flash-knoppix script since Knoppix 7.6.0 supports on-the-fly conversion of a DVD ISO image for direct flashing of a USB pendrive...

[superman]

Hi, knp:

Thanks for the feedback regarding the approach described in the post #5. I'm neither a computer guru nor being always on the same channel as others... Additionally, from my viewpoint, the mentioned approach is merely a temporary measure to boot up KNOPPIX (in general) using the matching version of bootonly.iso because the versatility of this approach relies on the capability of the bootloader installed on the device. At the moment, the EFI counterpart of memdisk used for loading the bootonly.iso is yet to be implemented and thus this method has no use for computers having no BIOS support. By the way, thanks for bringing this idea up, so that I can get my KNOPPIX DVD archives organised.

================================================== =====

Hi, utu:

.
...
I believe it likely to be true that once you have a Knoppix 7.6 LiveDVD or LiveUSB,
the Knoppix menu function, flash-knoppix, in Knoppix 7.6, will use a dd operation
to prepare other additional LiveDVDs &/or LiveUSBs using hybrid isos as sources.
...

If the DVD of KNOPPIX 7.6.0 is being referred to, the output of fdisk doesn't show that the DVD is of an isohybrid image.

This cannot be inferred as a solution from the premise that one doesn't have a cd/dvd capability and the statement:

The flash-knoppix script since Knoppix 7.6.0 supports on-the-fly conversion of a DVD ISO image for direct flashing of a USB pendrive...

Despite I haven't tried out the installation of KNOPPIX 7.6.0 using the built-in flash-knoppix command, I don't see why installing KNOPPIX in this fashion is hampered so long as the computer is able to be booted up via BIOS routine, the primary bootloader to load the bootonly.iso file to the ram and the DVD iso file to be on a different device than the target. Just to be on the safe side, the bootonly.iso file used for booting the currently running KNOPPIX is also on a different device than the target.

[knp]

@utu, @superman

Please have a look on this text quoted from "infos... ADRIANE_Knoppix_7.2 and 7.0):

"
But it is easy to create a bootable USB-stick or flashcard from a running Knoppix system, as described in the next section.
Booting from Flash

[IMG]file:///home/knoppix/T%C3%A9l%C3%A9chargements/KNOPPIX%207.2.0%20_%20ADRIANE%201.5%20-%20Live%20CD%20_%20DVD%20knoppix%20usb_boot_only_f ichiers/sd.png[/IMG] In order to create a bootable USB-medium (memory flashdisk, SD-card, digital camera with USB connector, cellphone with microSD, ...), the program flash-knoppix can be started from a running Knoppix ".

1- So the citation given by utu from Mr K.K. is very worthwhile and "conceptual".

The referred "Flash-Program" is not INDEPENDANT. This program "cannot" be

used for an "iso_file" BEFORE having BURNT the "CD_Boot_Only" .

( via the cheatcode "bootfrom=.....*.iso" ).

2- I do'nt understand "the On_the_Fly" method" for "flashing" the "boot_only_CD"

(or other).

3- Moreover I have to perform that "VirtualBox" furnished by the live "knoppix_7.2":

It accept the "Boot_Only_CD" ...but not my "7.6_iso_File" for the moment.

2 reasons apparently:

a- Usage of "USB_Devices" which needs an update of VirtualBox.

b- the "iso_File" (4.1 Go > 4Go) has been copied somewhat "profoundly":

*** on a folder of a "knoppix_system_device or

*** not on the root of a "NTFS_Partition".

I hope to succed.

3- I have not tried yet the good superman's method: I have to be acquainted with

Syslinux before.

I am waiting news. Thanks you altogether.

knp

[utu]

2- I do'nt understand "the On_the_Fly" method" for "flashing" the "boot_only_CD"

A Linux live system iso is a single read-only file which on proper expansion
contains (at least) three things:
1. a slighly smaller read-only iso, which on expansion defines a comlete
working linux system;
2. executable program material necessary for booting an initial, slightly smaller
read-only system iso, and for combining this with parallel read-write
material;
3. executable program material to set-up a parallel read-write linux system
to collect and retain changes to the initial linux system.

I use the Windows partition of my laptop
to download Knoppix and other Live system isos and
to store these isos on the Windows system ntfs partition.

With a Live Linux -iso other than Knoppix-, I also use Windows and either
one of two free windows programs, Unetbootin or UniversalUSBInstaller,
to make a Live Linux USB.

With Knoppix, since I have a CD/DVD in my computer,
I make a Knoppix LiveCD or LiveDVD, and from a menu choice on either of these,
I use 'Knoppix Install to Flash' to make a Live Knoppix USB.

Windows Unetbootin, UniversalUSBIstaller and Knoppix 'Install to Flash Disk' each
may be used to provide three functions on a LiveUSB given a LiveUSB iso file:
1. a means of booting a compact, read-only LiveUSB system iso;
2. a compact read-only bootable iso of a working linux system; and, optionally
3. a means of providing a read/write persistence element to save material,
including system changes to be available on reboot.

http://unetbootin.github.io/#other
http://www.pendrivelinux.com/universal-usb-installer-easy-as-1-2-3/

I think the essential ingredient of Unetbootin, UniversalUSBInstaller and
Install-to-Flash-Disk which allows making a LiveUSB from a LiveUSB iso
may be the command dd which, is of the form:

sudo dd if=/dev/if of=/dev/of bs=4k && sync
where, for example
    if=/media/sda3/Users/User/isos/LiveUSB.iso (on the ntfs partition) and
and    of=/media/sdc1                             (the targeted USB)

Rather than use a dd command-line approach by itself, it is somewhat safer
to use a gui such as Unetbootin, UniversalUSBInstaller or 'Install to Flash Disk,
because of the downside of mis-identifying if and of devices. If one specifies
the Windows OS device as an output, dd it will over-write the Windows OS, and
this is essentially an un-recoverable error. Obviously, this error is only less
likely, but still a possiblility even when using the gui approach.

I think dd in some guise may be what Klaus K means when he uses the terms
'on-th-fly method' or 'direct flashing'. It is the only way I can imagine how to
get a Linux LiveUSB.iso to end up as a Live Linux system on a USB device,
without the use of an intermediate LiveCD or or LiveDVD product.

Academics are proud of phrases like 'it can be shown that' which cause much
consternation in some circles, but allow a great economy in text.