BootCD 0.3 is out!

[simX]

For those of you that want to create an OS X bootable CD, here's the application you need. I know I've mentioned this before, but the newly released 0.3 has some nice features.

You can get it here: http://www.macfixit.com/library/tul/BootCD.dmg.sit

The new image now has a RAM disk! This means applications that need to write back to themselves can, if they need to. Unfortunately, you're limited to 5 megs, so it will probably only work for preferences and stuff.

This version of BootCD creates a 5 MB RAM Disk for various purposes. If you want to add things to the RAM Disk, drag them to the folder etc/RamDiskContents on the disk. Obviously, you shouldn't put more than 5 MB of files in there.
* This version of BootCD has the root password set to 'bootcd'.
* Please use Disk Copy and not Toast to burn the image to a CD. Toast messes with the boot blocks and will usually result in a non-bootable CD.

MacFixIt.com also notes that disk utilities like Drive 10 should now work if you use the application to put it on the disk image (which some people have noted did not work with version 0.2). Hopefully Norton Utilities works too, so I can have a real OS X disk utility CD, rather than having to boot up in OS 9!

Just thought I'd let you all know of a new release of this indispensible utility.

 

[nkuvu]

"indispensible utility" indeed. Hmph.

I couldn't get a bootable CD from it at all, even followed the instructions on MacFixit.com (there should be decent instructions with the program itself, but I digress). Four coasters later, I still boot into some error message that I don't remember...

 

[simX]

Heh, it's pretty straightforward. I made a bootable CD the first time I used it. I think this is a case of PEBKAC, nkuvu.

(You might want to use that acronym finder mentioned in the Bar & Grill. )

 

[nkuvu]

Yeah, I might use the acronym finder, if I didn't already know what it meant. Thanks for the kind words.

It very well might be my fault, but I doubt it. Maybe something is corrupted. I'll try again when I'm home so I can tell you all the things it didn't do right.

Keep it up, laughing boy, and maybe I won't look for that iPhoto installer...

And no, I took no offense -- so don't think I'm being upset or anything.

 

[WoLF]

Word of the wise here: DO NOT MOUNT A BOOTABLE CD IMAGE!



Just making sure everyone knows.

 

[nkuvu]

According to MaxFixit, that's how you should add more files to the bootable CD. So why do you say this?

You are talking about the dmg file before you burn it, correct?

 

[simX]

Originally posted by WoLF
Word of the wise here: DO NOT MOUNT A BOOTABLE CD IMAGE!



Just making sure everyone knows.

There's nothing wrong with mounting a bootable CD image.

 

[nkuvu]

Woo hoo! Another coaster!

Grrr. I just got done downloading 0.3, and I'll see how that goes. It's a good thing I don't need this right away...

 

[nkuvu]

OK, 0.3 worked just fine.

I think that the problem was that I am running OS X 10.1.4 -- BootCD 0.2 asked for my OS X installation disk, so I think it was copying files from that (10.1.2) instead of the current OS. BootCD 0.3 didn't ask for my OS X installation disk at all, just made a disk image. Keep in mind that this is pure speculation, but at least I got it to work.

For anyone who is complaining about the speed (or lack thereof) of OS X, I suggest that you work from a booted CD for a while. Then the regular installation will seem to fly. Lather, rinse repeat as necessary.

For the curious: From the booted CD, I ran the Disk First Aid and Verified my HD. It looks like it is doing a plain old fsck, which can be more easily accomplished by booting into single user mode. Correct me if I'm wrong...