How does Arch Linux install?

s26c.sayan · 2007-06-22 08:57:20

I would like to know how is Arch Linux installed from the standard installation CD using the /arch/setup script. Please note that I don't need a HowTo for the installation process, but rather would like to know what happens 'beyond the curtains' during installation!

As far as I understand, to start with, a 'miniature' linux system is booted from installation CD onto the ramdisk. The various operations are executed in this system. But what I don't understand is how the hard drive partition (where arch linux is to be installed) is accessed by the setup script.

Can anyone please give me the detailed description of how the installation carroes on? Or maybe someone could point me to a link which explains the process in general?

Thanks!

tomk · 2007-06-22 10:14:26

I'd recommend reading through the setup script - that will give you all the detail you need.

s26c.sayan · 2007-06-22 10:46:05

tomk wrote:

I'd recommend reading through the setup script - that will give you all the detail you need.

How can I get hold of it??

This is what I'm trying to do:
Extract isolinux/initrd.img from the installation CD to my hard drive.
Try to mount the extracted initrd/initrd.img using:

' mount -t auto -o loop initrd/initrd.img /mnt/image '

but it keeps giving me the messege:
'mount: you must specify the filesystem type'

file initrd.img gives :
'initrd.img: ASCII cpio archive (SVR4 with no CRC)'

As far as I understand, if I'm able to mount this file to /mnt/image, I'll find the setup script at /mnt/image/arch/setup.
But this seems to be of CPIO archive type file....and I don't seem to be able to use it!

Last edited by s26c.sayan (2007-06-22 10:56:39)

klixon · 2007-06-22 12:59:49

it's a cpio-archive.. You can't mount those (as far as i'm aware)

you can do this, though, after you've gunzipped it:

# mkdir initrd
# cd initrd
# cat ../initrd.img | cpio -i --no-absolute-filenames

it spews a lot of errors, but ./arch/{setup,quickinst} are there

Oh, don't forget the --no-absolute-filenames switch for cpio, or you'll hose your system

s26c.sayan · 2007-06-22 15:52:23

Oh, don't forget the --no-absolute-filenames switch for cpio, or you'll hose your system

Alas!! Your warning came a bit too late!!! I have ALREADY fucked up my system that way!!
Had been wondering what caused my system to go down all of a sudden, and after seeing your post, I've got the answer!

Anyway, is there another 'safer' way (:P) in which I can get hold of the setup script??

klixon · 2007-06-22 16:30:42

check your email...

PS: i made the same mistake once... I learned my lesson well

Last edited by klixon (2007-06-22 16:34:02)

s26c.sayan · 2007-06-22 16:50:01

Thanks a lot for your email, friend!

And I don't mind reinstalling Arch Linux now and then....gets rid of the 'bad blood', you know!!!

i made the same mistake once... I learned my lesson well

.....and I'm learning it now.....the hard way!!

In fact, I am writing a 1000 times " I WILL NOT MESS WITH CPIO UNTIL I KNOW WHAT I'M DOING " !!

gradgrind · 2007-06-23 03:58:56

There is a very easy, very safe way of getting into cpio archives. 'mc' can enter them (as a virtual filesystem) so long as the name is changed to blah.cpio.gz - and then you can copy whatever you want out.

kiao · 2007-07-10 14:34:57

Otherwize, bsdtar does it very well. as it is mentionned in the wiki.
bsdtar is part of libarchive
bsdtar -t -f <imagefile> will listout the list of files...

Regards

Thierry

Arch Linux

#1 2007-06-22 08:57:20

How does Arch Linux install?

#2 2007-06-22 10:14:26

Re: How does Arch Linux install?

#3 2007-06-22 10:46:05

Re: How does Arch Linux install?

#4 2007-06-22 12:59:49

Re: How does Arch Linux install?

#5 2007-06-22 15:52:23

Re: How does Arch Linux install?

#6 2007-06-22 16:30:42

Re: How does Arch Linux install?

#7 2007-06-22 16:50:01

Re: How does Arch Linux install?

#8 2007-06-23 03:58:56

Re: How does Arch Linux install?

#9 2007-07-10 14:34:57

Re: How does Arch Linux install?

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