Regarding Remastering

[esafwan]

Hi,
After weeks of hard work i have re-branded an installation. Like the logos, splash screen, theme, wallpaper
and have even changed some of the menus.

Now i want to make an installation CD out of this, so that i can distribute it to my friends, in that brand name.
I don't want all my efforts to go in vain.

I'm aware of some apps out there like remastersys, reconstructor, uck etc... but i read that some of them don't keep
your theme, while others change the login screen or wallpaper. I want my live cd and installation to look exactly like the installation i hav in my system. Please help me with this.

[JOHNNYG]

Hi, How are you esafwan ! I have been waiting for a response on this as well ! I have successfully used "Remaster" and "UCK", Re constructor . Not so good for me ! I have gotten all the stuff I want In the ISO , ( After it loads and I set it up ) But cant seem to get it to default at boot, I am hoping (as you are ) for an answer to this !! I ( WE ) KNOW YOU ARE OUT THERE !!!

[esafwan]

check this out http://www.build.reconstructor.com. It can do wonders with modules. The module to add cutom gconf key can be used to change the panel icon and all.

[JOHNNYG]

COOL Thanks!!

[Cell]

For now I will explain how to build from a custom script and then explain the remastersys process.

Edit:
You will need to be sure to install squashfs if it is not already installed.


First option is using a script I found a while back and customized for my use.
Copy the following code into an empty text file and save it as

Code: Select all

customize-livecd.sh

Code: Select all

#!/bin/bash

ubuntuiso=ubuntu-9.04-desktop-i386.iso
customiso=Stoner_Edition_x32_Final.iso
kernel=2.6.28-11-generic

clear
echo Customize Ubuntu LiveCD
echo
echo Script by: Stephen Clark
echo Based on documentation found at:
echo https://help.ubuntu.com/community/LiveCDCustomization
echo
echo "For customizing Ubuntu 9.04 x32 (Jaunty)"
echo
echo Press Ctrl C at any time to quit
echo

echo -n "Loading squashfs module... "
modprobe squashfs
echo Done
echo

echo -n "Extract iso contents? y/[n] "
read ua
if [ "$ua" = "y" ]; then
   if [ -e "edit" ]; then
      echo -n "Removing existing Desktop System... "
      rm -r edit
      echo Done
   fi
   mkdir edit
   if [ -e "extract-cd" ]; then
      echo -n "Removing existing CD contents... "
      rm -r extract-cd
      echo Done
   fi
   mkdir extract-cd
   if ! [ -e "mnt" ]; then
      mkdir mnt
   fi
   if ! [ -e "squashfs" ]; then
      mkdir squashfs
   fi
   echo -n "Extracting CD contents... "
   mount -o loop $ubuntuiso mnt
   rsync --exclude=/casper/filesystem.squashfs -a mnt/ extract-cd
   echo Done
   echo -n "Extracting Desktop System... "
   mount -t squashfs -o loop mnt/casper/filesystem.squashfs squashfs
   cp -a squashfs/* edit/
   umount squashfs
   umount mnt
   echo Done
fi
echo

# Place custom scripting here

# Initialize networking and sources

cp /etc/resolv.conf edit/etc
cp /etc/hosts edit/etc
cp /etc/apt/sources.list edit/etc/apt

echo -n "Start package removal? y/[n] "
read ua
if [ "$ua" = "y" ]; then
   echo
   # Not all apps can be purged without dependency problems
   # Accept whatever solution aptitude offers
   chroot edit apt-get remove --purge ekiga evolution tomboy onboard gnome-pilot gnome-pilot-conduits libpisock9
fi
echo


echo -n "Start package upgrades? y/[n] "
read ua
if [ "$ua" = "y" ]; then
   echo
        chroot edit sudo apt-get update
        chroot edit sudo apt-get dist-upgrade
fi
echo


echo -n "Start package add medibuntu rep? y/[n] "
read ua
if [ "$ua" = "y" ]; then
   echo
        wget http://www.medibuntu.org/sources.list.d/`lsb_release -cs`.list --output-document=/etc/apt/sources.list.d/medibuntu.list; apt-get -q update; apt-get --yes -q --allow-unauthenticated install medibuntu-keyring; apt-get -q update
fi
echo



echo -n "Start package installation? y/[n] "
read ua
if [ "$ua" = "y" ]; then
   echo

   chroot edit apt-get update

   chroot edit apt-get install abiword abiword-plugins alien alsa-oss audacity awn-manager bum dvdrip fusion-icon compizconfig-settings-manager comixcursors conky crystalcursors dopewars emerald filezilla gftp gnome-alsamixer gnome-backgrounds gnome-color-chooser gnome-commander gnome-do gnome-extra-icons gnome-humility-icon-theme gnome-icon-theme-gperfection2 gnome-icon-theme-blankon gnome-icon-theme-dlg-neu gnome-icon-theme-gartoon gnome-icon-theme-nuovo gnome-icon-theme-suede gnome-icon-theme-yasis gnome-themes gnome-themes-extras gparted gray-theme gtk-clearlooks-gperfection2-theme gtk-engines-mono gtk2-engines-murrine gnome-main-menu gtk2-engines-blueheart gtk2-engines-nodoka gtk2-engines-cleanice gtk2-engines-magicchicken gtk2-engines-sapwood gtk2-engines-sapwood-dbg gtk2-engines-wonderland gtkhash gtk-smooth-themes isomaster istanbul metacity-themes mozilla-thunderbird murrine-themes nautilus-actions nautilus-cd-burner nautilus-clamscan nautilus-filename-repairer nautilus-gksu nautilus-image-converter nautilus-open-terminal nautilus-wallpaper ndisgtk ntfs-config oggconvert outdoors-theme pidgin-plugin-pack pykaraoke remastersys screem screenlets silicon-theme subversion startupmanager tango-icon-theme ubuntu-restricted-extras tango-icon-theme-common tango-icon-theme-extras unetbootin vlc wifi-radar xbmc xchat-gnome
   chroot edit apt-get clean
fi
echo


# Clean up

rm edit/etc/resolv.conf
rm edit/etc/hosts
# rm edit/etc/apt/sources.list

if [ -e "extract-cd/programs" ]; then
   echo -n "Remove unwanted Windows applications from LiveCD? [y]/n "
   read ua
   if ! [ "$ua" = "n" ]; then
      echo -n "Removing Windows applications... "
      rm -r extract-cd/programs
      echo Done
   fi
   echo
fi

echo

echo -n "Change default usplash to Stoner_Edition_x32? y/[n] "
read ua
if [ "$ua" = "y" ]; then
   echo
   # -q supresses the output to a minimum
        chroot edit update-alternatives --install /usr/lib/usplash/usplash-artwork.so usplash-artwork.so /usr/lib/usplash/Stoner_Edition_x32.so
        chroot edit update-alternatives --config usplash-artwork.so
        chroot edit update-initramfs -u
fi
echo

# End of custom scripting

# Putting the CD together

echo -n "Recompile iso? [y]/n "
read ua
if [ "$ua" = "n" ]; then
   echo
   echo The End
   echo
   exit
fi

echo Compressing filesystem
if [ -e "extract-cd/casper/filesystem.squashfs" ]; then
   rm extract-cd/casper/filesystem.squashfs
fi
mksquashfs edit extract-cd/casper/filesystem.squashfs
echo

echo -n "Removing old md5sum.txt and calculating new md5 sums... "
rm extract-cd/md5sum.txt
(cd extract-cd && find . -type f -print0 | xargs -0 md5sum > md5sum.txt)
echo Done
echo

echo Creating iso
if [ -f "$customiso" ]; then
   echo -n "Removing old custom iso... "
   rm $customiso
   echo Done
   echo
fi
cd extract-cd
mkisofs -r -V "$IMAGE_NAME" -cache-inodes -J -l -b isolinux/isolinux.bin -c isolinux/boot.cat -no-emul-boot -boot-load-size 4 -boot-info-table -o ../$customiso .
echo

echo The End
echo

Ok, now that you have the script lets explain the process.
Open the file in a text editor. You will see at the top:

ubuntuiso=ubuntu-9.04-desktop-i386.iso
customiso=Stoner_Edition_x32_Final.iso
kernel=2.6.28-11-generic

Change this info to reflect your iso, build name, and kernel.

Now just look through the script and you should be able to make sense of what it is doing. Change any info you need to reflect your options and needs. If you have any questions on this ask and I will try and explain it the best I can.


Now lets start building.
First create a build directory were we will build the distro from.
I just created a folder on my desktop named build.
I placed my install script and Ubuntu iso there.
Now open a terminal and cd to your build folder.
Now type

Code: Select all

sudo sh customize-livecd.sh

Go through the options and press yes or no depending on your needs.
Once the build is finished you will have your custom build in the build folder.


There are a lot of modifications you can do to personalize your custom iso. You can setup the desktop look and change the usplash for the custom iso and installed system. I will go into detail about how to do that later. First lets just build a generic custom build to get familiar with the process. It can be quit overwhelming trying to do a perfect build the first time around. Even after many builds I still tend to forget things or miss a step or whatever so do not get your self overwhelmed.


Start with what I have put here and ask questions as you need to and I will answer you as best as I can. Good luck and have fun as I do every time I build one. :thumbsup: :st:

From Stoner at the Stoner edition forum. http://stoneredition.com


Might be helpful.I know Karmic,and any Ubuntu after works different,and might not apply to this.


Cheers ,

Cell

[esafwan]

Hey,
thanx very much cell
I'll be trying this in a while, got into some busy schedule for 2 days. I will come back with lots of
questions .

By the way thanx a lot....

[Cell]

Don't thank me.Thank Stoner.He's the one who took time to post it.