What is the best way to make a custom arch install cd?

darkbeanies · 2009-09-01 15:19:14

Hello, before I start I should mention that I have been reading about various tools and looking at wiki articles. But I have had some trouble getting started.

What I would like is an install cd that installs the packages I choose. I'd like this to be either automatic, or allow me to select the packages I want (which are presumably on the cd), just like in the normal way of installing arch perhaps, maybe.

I'd just like a way of installing arch, the way it is set up now, with minimal hassle, no internet access, just pop the cd in and out comes archlinux with a nice desktop environment so I can give it to my mum without having to travel hundreds of miles to install it for her.

"just pop the cd in and out comes archlinux with a nice desktop environment" -Ahahahahahaha, I hear you react. Well, you know, at least I would like it to be no MORE difficult than the standard install procedure.

For example, is there no way I can just download the .pkg.tar.gz files I want, add 'em to the fracking archlinux iso I download from here, meddle about with a config file so pacman knows where to find the additional pkg.tar.gzips, and then run a script afterwards to copy a few configuration files to the relevant locations? No? Won't work?

At least, I have not discovered a way to do this yet. Please can someone get me started?

Should I maybe start HERE?

http://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/Qui … stallation

It says it "may contain old, confusing and wrong information" -how unusual...

Larch looks pretty good, will this do what I want?

I actually think larch is definitely the answer. I'm gonna mark it solved. Even though I will probably have some trouble with it. Sorry for asking this question for the hundredth time, but, well, the forums were down yesterday (the day I was trying to do this, obviously).

Maybe I'll leave it unsolved until I get specific errors...

Last edited by darkbeanies (2009-09-01 16:44:00)

regibbs1 · 2009-09-01 18:08:37

This fellow has a pretty nice one already with xfce desktop. I like it anyways.

http://godane.wordpress.com/

It is also a live CD so she can see what she would be putting on her pc.

Last edited by regibbs1 (2009-09-01 18:11:25)

darkbeanies · 2009-09-01 20:43:19

Yeah, I like xfce, but I'd give her the excellent chakra if I was going to give her a ready made thing, which I might do if things go wrong...

But that isn't what I'm trying to do. I want to learn how to build an install disc, too. It takes me a long time to get arch up and running. I would like to know how to automate it so that I end up with my own personal humble distribution.

I realize there are many alternatives to doing what I am trying to do. But there are a hundred reasons I can think of why a custom archlinux install cd made by me that goes "do you want to install y/n" and then you press y and it formats the disk, shoves the stuff on and then it works would be the best option.

This assumes, of course, that my mum can plug in the computer, monitor, mouse, keyboard and speakers, insert the disc and press y, all of which are long shots.

Anyway, I'm making some progress with larch now. I can roughly see how it's going to work, it's pretty straightforward, so it would seem.

Thanks!

Last edited by darkbeanies (2009-09-01 20:53:29)

regibbs1 · 2009-09-01 21:05:48

darkbeanies wrote:

Yeah, I like xfce, but I'd give her the excellent chakra if I was going to give her a ready made thing, which I might do if things go wrong...
But that isn't what I'm trying to do. I want to learn how to build an install disc, too. It takes me a long time to get arch up and running. I would like to know how to automate it so that I end up with my own personal humble distribution.
I realize there are many alternatives to doing what I am trying to do. But there are a hundred reasons I can think of why a custom archlinux install cd made by me that goes "do you want to install y/n" and then you press y and it formats the disk, shoves the stuff on and then it works would be the best option.
This assumes, of course, that my mum can plug in the computer, monitor, mouse, keyboard and speakers, insert the disc and press y, all of which are long shots.
Anyway, I'm making some progress with larch now. I can roughly see how it's going to work, it's pretty straightforward, so it would seem.
Thanks!

Yeah I see your point. I like archiso because he has a barebone option there, and you can build it the way you like it from there. I just had trouble getting Arch to run for me, so his iso was just easier as I am very unlearned in linux, and at 63 I dont have a lot of time, or energy to learn what it seems everyone but me knows. I still have to work to earn a living, and with a limited education I may be more dense than alot of the younger folks on here, so this just made it a little easier for me. Good luck with it, I hope you get what your after.
Maybe have a look at ISOMaster too, it seems simple enough to use.

Last edited by regibbs1 (2009-09-01 22:40:45)

Arch Linux

#1 2009-09-01 15:19:14

What is the best way to make a custom arch install cd?

#2 2009-09-01 18:08:37

Re: What is the best way to make a custom arch install cd?

#3 2009-09-01 20:43:19

Re: What is the best way to make a custom arch install cd?

#4 2009-09-01 21:05:48

Re: What is the best way to make a custom arch install cd?

Board footer