Jump to content











Photo
- - - - -

Finnix 100 now released


  • Please log in to reply
9 replies to this topic

#1 steve6375

steve6375

    Platinum Member

  • Developer
  • 7566 posts
  • Location:UK
  • Interests:computers, programming (masm,vb6,C,vbs), photography,TV,films
  •  
    United Kingdom

Posted 28 October 2010 - 10:01 AM

http://www.finnix.org/

This is a very useful linux Debian version for preparing/imaging systems. I have not tried this new release but did use the previous one and found it very useful.

#2 steve6375

steve6375

    Platinum Member

  • Developer
  • 7566 posts
  • Location:UK
  • Interests:computers, programming (masm,vb6,C,vbs), photography,TV,films
  •  
    United Kingdom

Posted 29 October 2010 - 08:36 AM

I have added a tutorial (#11) on my website for how to get Finnix 100 onto a bootable USB stick and also how to make an image Restore USB stick using Finnix.
You just need to write a .sh script (working and tested example provided) and add your image ( .gz) file and perhaps an MBR file.
If anyone wants to provide a cost free way of providing a user with a quick and simple way to image systems using a USB stick, then this is it.

#3 Wonko the Sane

Wonko the Sane

    The Finder

  • Advanced user
  • 16066 posts
  • Location:The Outside of the Asylum (gate is closed)
  •  
    Italy

Posted 29 October 2010 - 08:47 AM

I have added a tutorial (#11) on my website for how to get Finnix 100 ....


i.e. here :D:
http://sites.google....finnix-from-usb

Any chance it works from .iso? :)

:D
Wonko

#4 steve6375

steve6375

    Platinum Member

  • Developer
  • 7566 posts
  • Location:UK
  • Interests:computers, programming (masm,vb6,C,vbs), photography,TV,films
  •  
    United Kingdom

Posted 29 October 2010 - 09:39 AM

YES (if you have the large FINNIX/FINNIX file on the USB drive too!)

grub4dos menu.lst here

title finnix-100.iso
find --set-root /finnix-100.iso
map /finnix-100.iso (hd32)
map --hook
chainloader (hd32)


When it boots - /cdrom is correctly mapped to the root of the whole USB drive, so you could place your gz images onto the USB drive and not in the ISO itself :)

[Edit]
You must place the finnix.sh file inside the ISO in the /FINNIX folder though.
[/Edit]
Sorry - this is incorrect! You must place your script file in the \FINNIX folder on the USB dive but this folder also must contain the /FINNIX/FINNIX 118MB file. It will not work if you just have the ISO file and no /FINNIX/FINNIX file.


i.e. USB pen has

/finnix-100.iso
/myimage.gz.000 (your backup image)
/menu.lst
/grldr
/FINNIX/FINNIX
/FINNIX/finnix.sh

#5 Wonko the Sane

Wonko the Sane

    The Finder

  • Advanced user
  • 16066 posts
  • Location:The Outside of the Asylum (gate is closed)
  •  
    Italy

Posted 29 October 2010 - 10:34 AM

i.e. USB pen has

With all due respect :), isn't it easier to:
DIR /S E:\ >C:\USBstick.txt

(provided that E:\ represents the USB stick) ? :)

If I get it right to boot "integrally" from .iso mapped in grub4dos, you need to insert the finnix.sh batch INSIDE the .iso, in /FINNIX/finnix.sh?

Since the "/FINNIX/finnix.sh" must be invoked by "something" is it possible to change (possibly by simply using gsar or similar on the .iso, i.e. NO .iso editing tools) to change the something that invokes it? :D

Or, alternatively, re-build the .iso including the /FINNIX/finnix.sh file?

The original .iso seems like built with the "stupid" genisoimage (that unlike mkisofs doesn't write the actual command parameters used in the .iso itself):
http://www.boot-land...showtopic=12406
http://www.boot-land...?...12406&st=26

:D
Wonko

#6 steve6375

steve6375

    Platinum Member

  • Developer
  • 7566 posts
  • Location:UK
  • Interests:computers, programming (masm,vb6,C,vbs), photography,TV,films
  •  
    United Kingdom

Posted 29 October 2010 - 10:39 AM

Hi

I didn't use dir cos I had lots of other old rubbish on the usb pen.

I was wrong about it booting from iso - sorry, it cannot find the FINNIX/FINNIX file and so bombs out. I have edited my earlier post. I did not have a clean USB pen and it still had /FINNIX/FINNIX in it when I tested it!

#7 Wonko the Sane

Wonko the Sane

    The Finder

  • Advanced user
  • 16066 posts
  • Location:The Outside of the Asylum (gate is closed)
  •  
    Italy

Posted 29 October 2010 - 11:04 AM

I was wrong about it booting from iso - sorry, it cannot find the FINNIX/FINNIX file and so bombs out. I have edited my earlier post. I did not have a clean USB pen and it still had /FINNIX/FINNIX in it when I tested it!

:D

Still, I am pretty sure that if some settings (inside the finnix distro) are modified it can be made to map the "virtual" grub4dos CDROM, or, since it is really small, use a "completely in RAM" booting. :)

:D
Wonko

#8 steve6375

steve6375

    Platinum Member

  • Developer
  • 7566 posts
  • Location:UK
  • Interests:computers, programming (masm,vb6,C,vbs), photography,TV,films
  •  
    United Kingdom

Posted 29 October 2010 - 11:08 AM

:D

Still, I am pretty sure that if some settings (inside the finnix distro) are modified it can be made to map the "virtual" grub4dos CDROM, or, since it is really small, use a "completely in RAM" booting. :)

:D
Wonko

I tried --mem and it still could not find the FINNIX file. It looks like it tries to mount devices and then looks for the /FINNIX/FINNIX file. When found it mounts is as /cdrom and then runs finnix.sh from /cdrom/FINNIX/finnix.sh.

I am not very familiar with linux (newbie) and it maybe better if you contact Ryan (author) as he is currently developing the new version again (after a long holiday!).

#9 Wonko the Sane

Wonko the Sane

    The Finder

  • Advanced user
  • 16066 posts
  • Location:The Outside of the Asylum (gate is closed)
  •  
    Italy

Posted 29 October 2010 - 03:28 PM

I tried --mem and it still could not find the FINNIX file. It looks like it tries to mount devices and then looks for the /FINNIX/FINNIX file. When found it mounts is as /cdrom and then runs finnix.sh from /cdrom/FINNIX/finnix.sh.


Yep :D, there is a cheatcode:
http://www.finnix.org/Cheat_Codes
finnixfile=
to change that, but isn't useful in the case of a mapped image.

:)
Wonko

#10 goossbears

goossbears
  • Members
  • 6 posts
  •  
    United States

Posted 10 December 2010 - 09:39 PM

Based on the previous comments here, I think that UNetbootin (see http://unetbootin.sourceforge.net/ ) is also well-worth investigating for getting a bootable Finnix onto a USB drive :cheers:.
IMHO, UNetbootin is much more polished and flexible than the RMPrepUSB Beta utility for Windows.




0 user(s) are reading this topic

0 members, 0 guests, 0 anonymous users