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

s26c.sayan
Member
From: Kolkata, India
Registered: 2007-02-07
Posts: 176
Website

How does Arch Linux install?

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!


March Linux : An Arch Linux "distrolet" that I am trying to develop (March = My Arch!)
Please take a look......:)

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

tomk
Forum Fellow
From: Ireland
Registered: 2004-07-21
Posts: 9,839

Re: How does Arch Linux install?

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

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

s26c.sayan
Member
From: Kolkata, India
Registered: 2007-02-07
Posts: 176
Website

Re: How does Arch Linux install?

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! sad

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


March Linux : An Arch Linux "distrolet" that I am trying to develop (March = My Arch!)
Please take a look......:)

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

klixon
Member
From: Nederland
Registered: 2007-01-17
Posts: 525

Re: How does Arch Linux install?

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 cool


Stand back, intruder, or i'll blast you out of space! I am Klixon and I don't want any dealings with you human lifeforms. I'm a cyborg!

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

s26c.sayan
Member
From: Kolkata, India
Registered: 2007-02-07
Posts: 176
Website

Re: How does Arch Linux install?

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!! sad
Had been wondering what caused my system to go down all of a sudden, and after seeing your post, I've got the answer! sad

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


March Linux : An Arch Linux "distrolet" that I am trying to develop (March = My Arch!)
Please take a look......:)

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

klixon
Member
From: Nederland
Registered: 2007-01-17
Posts: 525

Re: How does Arch Linux install?

check your email...

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

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


Stand back, intruder, or i'll blast you out of space! I am Klixon and I don't want any dealings with you human lifeforms. I'm a cyborg!

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

s26c.sayan
Member
From: Kolkata, India
Registered: 2007-02-07
Posts: 176
Website

Re: How does Arch Linux install?

Thanks a lot for your email, friend! smile

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


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 " !! big_smile


March Linux : An Arch Linux "distrolet" that I am trying to develop (March = My Arch!)
Please take a look......:)

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

gradgrind
Member
From: Germany
Registered: 2005-10-06
Posts: 921

Re: How does Arch Linux install?

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.

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

kiao
Member
From: Switzerlands
Registered: 2007-06-12
Posts: 4

Re: How does Arch Linux install?

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

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