Integrating extensions into an ISO

This guide is for adding extensions to an ISO.

To make an ISO image, the mkisofs-tools extension needs to be installed.

It is assumed that you have downloaded a Tiny Core iso to /tmp.

sudo mkdir /mnt/tmp
sudo mount /tmp/tinycore.iso /mnt/tmp -o loop,ro
mkdir -p /tmp/newiso/tce/optional
cp -a /mnt/tmp/boot /tmp/newiso
sudo umount /mnt/tmp

The contents of the ISO image have now been copied to /tmp/newiso, and tce and optional directories have been created.

Copy all extensions to /tmp/newiso/tce/optional.

It is easiest to install applications using the appbrowser, so that dependencies are included, then copy them all. Extensions are in the /tce/optional directory. If using cloud mode, they are in /tmp/tce/optional. If not using this method, ensure you include all .dep files and dependencies.

Put applications in On Boot or On Demand. If On Demand is used, the CD can be run on a computer with less RAM. It is easiest to set up On Boot and On Demand in the computer, then copy the entire tce directory to /tmp/newiso, including the On Boot file, and the On Demand directory.

Copy tc-install.gz to the tce directory (not /tce/optional), so you can use the CD for installing Tiny Core.

You may also include nettools.gz, for connecting to the Internet.

If you don't plan to use backup, you can edit isolinux.cfg, and include “norestore”.

To create the new ISO:

cd /tmp
mkisofs -l -J -V TC-custom \
  -no-emul-boot -boot-load-size 4 -boot-info-table \
  -b boot/isolinux/isolinux.bin -c boot/isolinux/boot.cat \
  -o TC-remastered.iso newiso
sudo rm -rf newiso

TC-remastered.iso can now be burned on a CD, or run in a virtual machine.

While using the tce directory on the CD, you won't be able to install, update or remove applications, or change what is in On Boot or On Demand, as the CD is read only. However, you can make a new CD.

If there is an appropriate partition on the computer's hard drive, you can use it for backup.

ISO Master is a GUI tool to edit disk images. It is available in the repository.