https://wiki.archlinux.org/api.php?action=feedcontributions&user=JamesHaigh&feedformat=atomArchWiki - User contributions [en]2024-03-29T11:20:38ZUser contributionsMediaWiki 1.41.0https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php?title=Chainload_El-Torito_ISO&diff=103103Chainload El-Torito ISO2010-04-13T15:44:16Z<p>JamesHaigh: /* Gujin Floppy */ Added code.</p>
<hr />
<div>{{Expansion}}<br />
Work in progress. This is what I've researched so far, I'll add more when I find more.<br />
<br />
Aims:<br />
* To boot multiple ISOs from a single USB flash drive.<br />
* Drive should be multi-purpose. Space for other files such as documents.<br />
* Quick easy setup; deal more with files and less with partitions. This makes the drive more portable and flexible on legacy OSs. Drive should have .iso files rather than iso9660 partitions.<br />
* Setup should be reliable on various BIOSs for more portability.<br />
* The ability to remove the drive after boot would be very useful.<br />
<br />
== Gujin MBR & ISO9660 Partitions ==<br />
This solution inspired me but has it's problems:<br />
[[Install_from_USB_stick#Gujin]]<br />
<br />
=== Problems ===<br />
* When Gujin is installed as the MBR it requires it's own partition. This can be a nuisance to set up properly. If this partition is mounted and written to, it becomes corrupt.<br />
* Most GNOME installations automount all the many iso9660 partitions I have.<br />
* I usually duplicate the ISOs as files and partitions.<br />
* Gujin isn't able to boot ISOs on some BIOSs even though CDs can boot.<br />
<br />
After much research I came up with some improvements and information. I'm trying to present these improvements in a modular fashion, rather than giving possible complete solutions.<br />
<br />
== Grub4Dos ==<br />
Grub4Dos is a fork of Grub Legacy which is actively maintained and has some useful ideas. It is familiar to Grub users, easier to manage and opens up some new features.<br />
<br />
* Make fat32 filesystem on partition 1.<br />
* Install Grub4Dos to MBR.<br />
* Copy Grub4Dos files to partition 1's / or /boot.<br />
<br />
=== Gujin Floppy ===<br />
The need for a Gujin partition is removed by the use of a Gujin boot floppy image which is booted from Grub4Dos.<br />
<br />
* Get Gujin standard tarball.<br />
* Extract floppy image<br />
tar -xzf standard-2.8.1.tar.gz full.img.gz -O | gzip -d > gujin-2.8.1.fdi<br />
* Edit menu.lst, add:<br />
title Gujin Boot Loader 2.8.1<br />
map --mem /boot/gujin-2.8.1.fdi (fd0)<br />
map --hook<br />
rootnoverify (fd0)<br />
chainloader (fd0)+1<br />
<br />
Grub4Dos can boot the Gujin floppy image which then generates the menu of available ISOs.<br />
<br />
=== Memory Mapping ===<br />
Files can be loaded into memory first, allowing for flash drive removal.<br />
map --mem From... To...<br />
map --hook<br />
<br />
=== Workaround For Crap BIOSs ===<br />
Some BIOSs cannot boot from CD or USB drives, or fail to enter setup or boot menu.<br />
<br />
* Install a Grub clone on the HDD if none already.<br />
* Chainload flash drive. From Grub commandline:<br />
<br />
chainloader (hd1)+1<br />
boot<br />
<br />
== CD Emulation ==<br />
Many ISOs including Arch's require emulation.<br />
<br />
* Gujin - I'm not sure if Gujin is an emulator or uses some other trick.<br />
* isoemu - Sounds right but actually just uses INT13h. http://www.911cd.net/forums//index.php?showtopic=8955<br />
* Grub 2 - Apparently Grub 2 plan to support el-torito chainload to ISOs but they don't seem to regard it as a priority or always realise what the actual goal is.<br />
http://grub.enbug.org/FeatureRequests<br />
http://savannah.gnu.org/bugs/?10780<br />
<br />
=== Self-contained ISOs ===<br />
Some ISOs have all data needed for boot in the kernel and ramdisk files. They can be booted directly from Grub4Dos without emulation.<br />
<br />
=== ?INT13h & Real Mode? ===<br />
When an OS is in 'real mode', it hooks INT13h BIOS interrupt call and doesn't require emulation. Old or very minimal OSs stay in real mode but new and advanced OSs such as Linux leave real mode. At this point they crash unless properly emulated.<br />
<br />
Not sure how accurate I am; I don't fully understand this.<br />
<br />
=== Gujin ISO Modification ===<br />
According to the website, Gujin can modify .iso files, presumably so that they can be booted directly without emulation. I haven't tried this yet and can't find much info on it.<br />
<br />
== Physical Workaround ==<br />
Maybe, instead of a flash drive, a USB SD card reader and some SD cards could be used instead. Still a hassle though.<br />
<br />
== Red Herrings ==<br />
When searching, I found quite a lot of information on how to chainload a *REAL* CD rather than a .iso file or iso9660 partition. For example:<br />
http://www.lrz-muenchen.de/~bernhard/grub-chain-cd.html<br />
http://cutecomputer.wordpress.com/2006/10/10/boot-cdrom-through-grub/<br />
<br />
I also came across alot of info on how to boot self-contained or INT13h ISOs.</div>JamesHaighhttps://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php?title=Chainload_El-Torito_ISO&diff=103006Chainload El-Torito ISO2010-04-13T03:23:39Z<p>JamesHaigh: Paragraph mistake.</p>
<hr />
<div>{{Expansion}}<br />
Work in progress. This is what I've researched so far, I'll add more when I find more.<br />
<br />
Aims:<br />
* To boot multiple ISOs from a single USB flash drive.<br />
* Drive should be multi-purpose. Space for other files such as documents.<br />
* Quick easy setup; deal more with files and less with partitions. This makes the drive more portable and flexible on legacy OSs. Drive should have .iso files rather than iso9660 partitions.<br />
* Setup should be reliable on various BIOSs for more portability.<br />
* The ability to remove the drive after boot would be very useful.<br />
<br />
== Gujin MBR & ISO9660 Partitions ==<br />
This solution inspired me but has it's problems:<br />
[[Install_from_USB_stick#Gujin]]<br />
<br />
=== Problems ===<br />
* When Gujin is installed as the MBR it requires it's own partition. This can be a nuisance to set up properly. If this partition is mounted and written to, it becomes corrupt.<br />
* Most GNOME installations automount all the many iso9660 partitions I have.<br />
* I usually duplicate the ISOs as files and partitions.<br />
* Gujin isn't able to boot ISOs on some BIOSs even though CDs can boot.<br />
<br />
After much research I came up with some improvements and information. I'm trying to present these improvements in a modular fashion, rather than giving possible complete solutions.<br />
<br />
== Grub4Dos ==<br />
Grub4Dos is a fork of Grub Legacy which is actively maintained and has some useful ideas. It is familiar to Grub users, easier to manage and opens up some new features.<br />
<br />
* Make fat32 filesystem on partition 1.<br />
* Install Grub4Dos to MBR.<br />
* Copy Grub4Dos files to partition 1's / or /boot.<br />
<br />
=== Gujin Floppy ===<br />
The need for a Gujin partition is removed by the use of a Gujin boot floppy image which is booted from Grub4Dos.<br />
<br />
* Get Gujin standard tarball.<br />
* Extract floppy image.<br />
* Edit menu.lst.<br />
<br />
Grub4Dos can boot the Gujin floppy image which then generates the menu of available ISOs.<br />
<br />
=== Memory Mapping ===<br />
Files can be loaded into memory first, allowing for flash drive removal.<br />
map --mem From... To...<br />
map --hook<br />
<br />
=== Workaround For Crap BIOSs ===<br />
Some BIOSs cannot boot from CD or USB drives, or fail to enter setup or boot menu.<br />
<br />
* Install a Grub clone on the HDD if none already.<br />
* Chainload flash drive. From Grub commandline:<br />
<br />
chainloader (hd1)+1<br />
boot<br />
<br />
== CD Emulation ==<br />
Many ISOs including Arch's require emulation.<br />
<br />
* Gujin - I'm not sure if Gujin is an emulator or uses some other trick.<br />
* isoemu - Sounds right but actually just uses INT13h. http://www.911cd.net/forums//index.php?showtopic=8955<br />
* Grub 2 - Apparently Grub 2 plan to support el-torito chainload to ISOs but they don't seem to regard it as a priority or always realise what the actual goal is.<br />
http://grub.enbug.org/FeatureRequests<br />
http://savannah.gnu.org/bugs/?10780<br />
<br />
=== Self-contained ISOs ===<br />
Some ISOs have all data needed for boot in the kernel and ramdisk files. They can be booted directly from Grub4Dos without emulation.<br />
<br />
=== ?INT13h & Real Mode? ===<br />
When an OS is in 'real mode', it hooks INT13h BIOS interrupt call and doesn't require emulation. Old or very minimal OSs stay in real mode but new and advanced OSs such as Linux leave real mode. At this point they crash unless properly emulated.<br />
<br />
Not sure how accurate I am; I don't fully understand this.<br />
<br />
=== Gujin ISO Modification ===<br />
According to the website, Gujin can modify .iso files, presumably so that they can be booted directly without emulation. I haven't tried this yet and can't find much info on it.<br />
<br />
== Physical Workaround ==<br />
Maybe, instead of a flash drive, a USB SD card reader and some SD cards could be used instead. Still a hassle though.<br />
<br />
== Red Herrings ==<br />
When searching, I found quite a lot of information on how to chainload a *REAL* CD rather than a .iso file or iso9660 partition. For example:<br />
http://www.lrz-muenchen.de/~bernhard/grub-chain-cd.html<br />
http://cutecomputer.wordpress.com/2006/10/10/boot-cdrom-through-grub/<br />
<br />
I also came across alot of info on how to boot self-contained or INT13h ISOs.</div>JamesHaighhttps://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php?title=Talk:Chainload_El-Torito_ISO&diff=103005Talk:Chainload El-Torito ISO2010-04-13T03:17:51Z<p>JamesHaigh: Created page with 'Hi, this is my first wiki article, I hope you like it. Please give me a bit of guidance if there is something that I'm doing wrong. I don't have much experience with Arch, Linux …'</p>
<hr />
<div>Hi, this is my first wiki article, I hope you like it. Please give me a bit of guidance if there is something that I'm doing wrong. I don't have much experience with Arch, Linux or wikis (I'm 18), but I hope I can make some contributions.<br />
<br />
Thanks,<br />
[[User:JamesHaigh|JamesHaigh]] 23:17, 12 April 2010 (EDT)</div>JamesHaighhttps://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php?title=Chainload_El-Torito_ISO&diff=103004Chainload El-Torito ISO2010-04-13T02:56:36Z<p>JamesHaigh: About booting ISOs from flash drives.</p>
<hr />
<div>{{Expansion}}<br />
Work in progress. This is what I've researched so far, I'll add more when I find more.<br />
Aims:<br />
* To boot multiple ISOs from a single USB flash drive.<br />
* Drive should be multi-purpose. Space for other files such as documents.<br />
* Quick easy setup; deal more with files and less with partitions. This makes the drive more portable and flexible on legacy OSs. Drive should have .iso files rather than iso9660 partitions.<br />
* Setup should be reliable on various BIOSs for more portability.<br />
* The ability to remove the drive after boot would be very useful.<br />
<br />
== Gujin MBR & ISO9660 Partitions ==<br />
This solution inspired me but has it's problems:<br />
[[Install_from_USB_stick#Gujin]]<br />
<br />
=== Problems ===<br />
* When Gujin is installed as the MBR it requires it's own partition. This can be a nuisance to set up properly. If this partition is mounted and written to, it becomes corrupt.<br />
* Most GNOME installations automount all the many iso9660 partitions I have.<br />
* I usually duplicate the ISOs as files and partitions.<br />
* Gujin isn't able to boot ISOs on some BIOSs even though CDs can boot.<br />
<br />
After much research I came up with some improvements and information. I'm trying to present these improvements in a modular fashion, rather than giving possible complete solutions.<br />
<br />
== Grub4Dos ==<br />
Grub4Dos is a fork of Grub Legacy which is actively maintained and has some useful ideas. It is familiar to Grub users, easier to manage and opens up some new features.<br />
<br />
* Make fat32 filesystem on partition 1.<br />
* Install Grub4Dos to MBR.<br />
* Copy Grub4Dos files to partition 1's / or /boot.<br />
<br />
=== Gujin Floppy ===<br />
The need for a Gujin partition is removed by the use of a Gujin boot floppy image which is booted from Grub4Dos.<br />
<br />
* Get Gujin standard tarball.<br />
* Extract floppy image.<br />
* Edit menu.lst.<br />
<br />
Grub4Dos can boot the Gujin floppy image which then generates the menu of available ISOs.<br />
<br />
=== Memory Mapping ===<br />
Files can be loaded into memory first, allowing for flash drive removal.<br />
map --mem From... To...<br />
map --hook<br />
<br />
=== Workaround For Crap BIOSs ===<br />
Some BIOSs cannot boot from CD or USB drives, or fail to enter setup or boot menu.<br />
<br />
* Install a Grub clone on the HDD if none already.<br />
* Chainload flash drive. From Grub commandline:<br />
<br />
chainloader (hd1)+1<br />
boot<br />
<br />
== CD Emulation ==<br />
Many ISOs including Arch's require emulation.<br />
<br />
* Gujin - I'm not sure if Gujin is an emulator or uses some other trick.<br />
* isoemu - Sounds right but actually just uses INT13h. http://www.911cd.net/forums//index.php?showtopic=8955<br />
* Grub 2 - Apparently Grub 2 plan to support el-torito chainload to ISOs but they don't seem to regard it as a priority or always realise what the actual goal is.<br />
http://grub.enbug.org/FeatureRequests<br />
http://savannah.gnu.org/bugs/?10780<br />
<br />
=== Self-contained ISOs ===<br />
Some ISOs have all data needed for boot in the kernel and ramdisk files. They can be booted directly from Grub4Dos without emulation.<br />
<br />
=== ?INT13h & Real Mode? ===<br />
When an OS is in 'real mode', it hooks INT13h BIOS interrupt call and doesn't require emulation. Old or very minimal OSs stay in real mode but new and advanced OSs such as Linux leave real mode. At this point they crash unless properly emulated.<br />
<br />
Not sure how accurate I am; I don't fully understand this.<br />
<br />
=== Gujin ISO Modification ===<br />
According to the website, Gujin can modify .iso files, presumably so that they can be booted directly without emulation. I haven't tried this yet and can't find much info on it.<br />
<br />
== Physical Workaround ==<br />
Maybe, instead of a flash drive, a USB SD card reader and some SD cards could be used instead. Still a hassle though.<br />
<br />
== Red Herrings ==<br />
When searching, I found quite a lot of information on how to chainload a *REAL* CD rather than a .iso file or iso9660 partition. For example:<br />
http://www.lrz-muenchen.de/~bernhard/grub-chain-cd.html<br />
http://cutecomputer.wordpress.com/2006/10/10/boot-cdrom-through-grub/<br />
<br />
I also came across alot of info on how to boot self-contained or INT13h ISOs.</div>JamesHaigh