https://github.com/b3b/mbd

Multiboot USB drive creation
https://github.com/b3b/mbd

Last synced: 16 days ago
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Multiboot USB drive creation

• Host: GitHub
• URL: https://github.com/b3b/mbd
• Owner: b3b
• Created: 2012-02-04T20:41:14.000Z (over 12 years ago)
• Default Branch: master
• Last Pushed: 2013-01-19T00:16:05.000Z (almost 12 years ago)
• Last Synced: 2024-10-03T11:35:53.713Z (about 1 month ago)
• Homepage:
• Size: 206 KB
• Stars: 1
• Watchers: 4
• Forks: 1
• Open Issues: 3
• Metadata Files:
  • Readme: README.markdown

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README

        
# About

Multiboot flash drive creation

## Core statements

* Linux boots Linux

* no boring installs, just `cp my.iso /to/my/usb_drive/`

* do best for known distro images, try to boot random (even if they do not want to)

## Software involved

* [GNU sed](http://www.gnu.org/s/sed/)

* [NetbootCD](http://netbootcd.tuxfamily.org/)

* [Syslinux](http://syslinux.zytor.com/wiki/index.php/The_Syslinux_Project)

* [Tiny Core Linux](http://distro.ibiblio.org/tinycorelinux/)

## Boot process

* Syslinux, or another bootloader, boots the NetbootCD image

* User scramble through dialogs, and select an image to boot

* kexec loads the kernel from the selected image, using _improved_ initrd with _improved_ cmdline

* mbd takes control before the initrd /init, and performs distro specific preparations

* initrd /init prepare root filesystem

* mbd take control again, before filesystem switch, and performs some special tasks

* /init continue boot

# Usage

## Get

Run next commands:

    git clone git://github.com/b3b/mbd.git

    cd mbd

## Configure

Run

    

    autoconf

Run _configure_ with the _target_device_ environment variable set to partition device file. If /dev/_PARTITION_ is your USB flash drive partition device file (as "sdx1", or "disk/by-uuid/NNNN"), run

    

    ./configure target_device=/dev/PARTITION

### Additional options

* isolinux\_dir="DIR" - install to _DIR_ directory on USB flash drive. _DIR_ is "isolinux" by default

* --without-bootloader - do not install Syslinux bootloader on the device. Use this option to preserve existent bootloader. Need this option if target filesystem is not FAT32

* mbd\_label="LABEL" - set filesystem label to _LABEL_, "MBOOTDISK" by default

If _without-bootloader_ option is used, it is necessary to set target filesystem label to be the same as _mbd\_label_ value. Label can be set with the _mlabel_ command (for FAT32), _e2label_ command (for ext2/ext3/ext4).

## Build

On build stage, script will download NetbootCD and Tiny Core Linux live CDs; download and build GNU sedstream editor. Run

    make

## Install

Need root privileges. Script will prepare and copy _mbd_ files to the target device.

If option _without-bootloader_ is not set, script will install the bootloader (Syslinux) on the target device. Else, if option _without-bootloader_ is used, script will suggest examples of bootloaders menu entries.

Run

    make install

## Use

Put LIVE CDs (*.iso) into the images directory ("isolinux/iso" by default) on your USB flash drive. Example, if MP is flash USB drive mount point:

    cp my-cool-live-cds/*.iso MP/isolinux/iso/

    mkdir MP/isolinux/iso/Debian

    cp my-cool-live-debian-cds/*.iso MP/isolinux/iso/Debian/

Boot from USB flash drive, and follow the menus

## Uninstall

From mbd source directory, run

    make uninstall

# Special Use

Add desktop link to Live CD desktop. Run configure with the _desktop_link_ environment variable set. Example:

    ./configure target_device=/dev/PARTITION desktop_link='http://xn--c1apc3a.xn--p1ai/'

Boot Live CD from running system (if system has _kexec_ support enabled, and _dialog_ program installed). Example, if MP is flash USB drive mount point:

    cd MP/isolinux

    mkdir /tmp/mbd

    sh mbd_menu -t /tmp/mbd

# Tested with

DistributionStatus

Debian Livework

FedoraLiveCDwork

Grmlwork

Linux Mint CDwork

Sabayon Linuxwork

SliTaz LiveCDwork

Tailswork

Tiny Core Linuxwork

Ubuntuwork

Damn Small Linuxnot work

Slaxnot work