New project but iso is too big

Ok, I'm back with a simpler method for a KNOPPIX splitted in two.

Here's the new minirt: ftp://belyi.ac93.org/pub/KNOPPIX/minirt26-knxapp.gz
The linuxrc diff file is here: ftp://belyi.ac93.org/pub/KNOPPIX/linuxrc-knxapp.patch
And the source of a small helper I used: ftp://belyi.ac93.org/pub/KNOPPIX/knxtest.c

The way you create a new KNOPPIX image is simple: rebuild bootable ISO image without compressed KNOPPIX file and with the new minirt26.gz, append this KNOPPIX file to the image padded to 2K if necessary and this is the image you would burn to CD.

So, if you have current KNOPPIX in KNOPPIX-3.7.iso file, the procedure will be something like this:
# mount -o loop KNOPPIX-3.7.iso /mnt/src
# mkdir newimage
# rsync -a --exclude=KNOPPIX/KNOPPIX /mnt/src/ newimage
# cp minirt26-knxapp.gz newimage/boot/isolinux/minirt26.gz
# mkisofs -pad -l -r -J -v -V "KNOPPIX" -no-emul-boot -boot-load-size 4 -boot-info-table -b boot/isolinux/isolinux.bin -c boot/isolinux/boot.cat -hide-rr-moved -o KNOPPIX-prefix.iso newimage
# cat KNOPPIX-prefix.iso /mnt/src/KNOPPIX/KNOPPIX > KNOPPIX-new.iso
# dd if=/dev/zero bs=1 count=`ls -l KNOPPIX-new.iso | awk '{pad=$5%2048; if(pad) pad=2048-pad; print pad;}'` >> KNOPPIX-new.iso

The last step is necessary only if your CD burning software complains about the image not aligned to 2K block.
I wasn't able to come up with a procedure simpler than that. :smile:

Hope you like it.
Cheers,
Igor

Belyi;

Pleased to hear fro you this day and surprised that the system is so simple!

Will give it a go and let yopu know how it performs.

Tried out Puppy Linux while you were away and found it intriguing.

Now I will get to work!!!

Belyi:

The procedure produced a bootable DVD+RW disc that has a slow install for KDE. Myconfig is correct, internet OK.

The procedure was modified a small amount to permit it to run. The download of minirt26 generated a file in /tmp/kde-root with a coded ID. I changed it with RENAME to the specified...minirt26-knxapp.gz.

Rather than move the file, I changed the cp command; thus

cp /tmp/kde-root/minirt26-knxapp.gz newimage/boot/isolinux/minirt26.gz

No problem with mkisofs nor the burn with K3b.

I assume that this procedure will allow a large install >2GB in the concatenate step if a compatible kernel related KNOPPIX/KNOPPIX file is sustituted for the file that exists during the previous steps in /mnt/src..... before the cat step is initiated.

I appreciate this very much and am certainly thankful for your able guidance through the process.

There seems to be a great deal of interest in this activity and it certainly came out simplified!!!

Please make any pertinent comments on my effort...

For those who still interested - I've updated the linuxrc variant allowing compressed image to be appended to the boot image of KNOPPIX to work with KNOPPIX 3.8:

Patch for linuxrc: ftp://belyi.ac93.org/pub/KNOPPIX/lin...8-knxapp.patch
New minirt.gz: ftp://belyi.ac93.org/pub/KNOPPIX/minirt-3.8.gz

The procedure is the same as previously with just one difference - you need to update minirt.gz since there's no minirt26.gz in KNOPPIX 3.8

Cheers,
Igor

Belyi;

Performed the split format on Knoppix3.8 Cebit successfully.

Many thanks for your able support.

Progress, but not complete with added apps.

Burned a DVD+RW with added apps but it hangs with X displayed on screen, and no KDE.

The iso is 792MB and was generated with the "split".iso method of Belyi.

The procedure I used to get the .iso generated was derived from a method posted by Sunil Thomas Thonikuzhiyilhttp://www.linuxgazette.com/issue87/sunil.html http://www.linuxgazette.com/issue87/sunil.html

It was done in Kde using Knoppix3.8 Cebit.

My system has 2GB RAM, about 50GB of HDD space in Linux and a 2GB swap partition.

The procedure:

1. # mount /dev/hda3 /mnt/hda3
2. # cp -Rp /KNOPPIX /mnt/hda3/ ###/KNOPPIX is in root EDIT: Rp was RP ..../mnt/hda3/ ,,,was /mnt/hda3
3. # chroot /mnt/hda3/KNOPPIX
4. # mount -t proc /proc proc
5. # cd /etc #### to verify or change the nameserver
6. # Joe resolv.conf ####edit nameserver with desired editor save and exit
7.# cd return
8. # ping yahoo.com ### verify correct internet access
9. # apt-get update
9. #apt-get install amarok geomview enlightenment cinepaint digikam festival kweather #### just enough for testing procedures
10.#umount /proc
11.Control D
12. # cd /mnt/hda3
13. # mkdir NEWCD
14. # cd return
15. # cp Knoppix3.8 CDROM to NEWCD #### may require changing permissions with chmod 777
16. # mv NEWCD KNOPPIX/KNOPPIX (subdirectory) to desktop ######Edit: original KNOPPIX/KNOPPIX removed from NEWCD.KNOPPIX remains
17. # mkisofs -R /mnt/hda3/KNOPPIX | create_compressed_fs - 65536 > /mnt/hda3/NEWCD/KNOPPIX/KNOPPIX....###Edit: adds larger /KNOPPIX file to NEWCD.


This procedure created a 792MB CD file.

I utilized the NEWCD file in my normal Linux OS to generate an iso for use in the Belyi procedure........

1. # mkisofs -pad -l -r -J -v -V "KNOPPIX" -no-emul-boot -boot-load-size 4 -boot-info-table -b boot/isolinux/isolinux.bin -c boot/isolinux/boot.cat -hide-rr-moved -o KNOPPIX.iso /NEWCD
2. # mount -o loop KNOPPIX.iso(from above) /mnt/src ##### this provides the expanded "split" .iso for the Belyi concatenation step, providing
the /KNOPPIX/KNOPPIX file therein.

My attempt ended with a boot to X in center of screen, internet access in root/tty4 and no KDE.

Perhaps I need a change in xorgconfig?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by lilsirecho

...The iso is 792MB and was generated with the "split".iso method of Belyi.

---

Can you give a link to this "Belyi method" that you write of? I'm not having much luck with a Google search.

The Belyi procedure is in this forum item a few posts back. And even further back for the Knoppix 3.7 details.

It involves changing minirt.gz in the boot prefix.iso and utilizing a linear map procedure for the KNOPPIX/KNOPPIX file as the second of the "split".iso.

There are several posts by Belyi, the latest covers Knoppix3.8Cebit and the previous case he presented included a minirt26.gz for Knoppix3.7 Either of the two has produced a bootable "split" format.

My recent effort was to change the size of the Knoppix3.8Cebit to test the effect on the "split" performance. It is tantamount to a re-master but includes a "split" .iso as well.

It has the potential of producing a fully utilized DVD disc at 4.4GB...enuff to choke on!!!! It might take a month of eight hour days to "find" compatible apps which total ~9GB uncompressed!!!!

I ran seven apps in Unionfs with the 3.8Knoppix CD to ensure they were compatible before proceeding with my effort.

Perhaps they messed up my display parameters to cause the loss of any useable display. Mouse and keybd (usb) ok and ping OK. Just a big X, moveable!!!

Re-generated the remaster with the wiki mkisofs routine.....mkisofs -R -U -V etc.......

Now the new "split" .iso burn boots to...LINUX IN USE but an x error message says ...couldn't start kde init.....

Do I need a new mkisofs routine for Knoppix3.8 kernel 2.6.11?

Perhaps a fix is available?

I agree that "Belyi method" sounds confusing. For example, calling it knxapp gives much better result in google.

Lilsirecho, according to your description of the problem - the boot itself works fine but the startup of programs got mixed up.

According to what I saw in KNOPPIX, the startup files living in /etc/rc?.d directories are hand crafted and when there's a new one got added by upgrade or installation of an application it results in great confusion. What I would recommend to do after the upgrade - remove all /etc/rc?.d directories and copy them again from the original copy of the KNOPPIX. This will probably prevent your new applications to be launched at the startup time (in case they require it) but at least it should bring you to the same state which the original KNOPPIX did. You can always start your new applications afterwards.

Hope it helps,
Igor