Integrating extensions into an ISO

This guide is for adding extensions to an ISO.

WARNING WARNING WARNING Using the described procedure results in an applicance like device. That is you will not be able to use AppBrowser or AppsAudit to add or maintain any apps. Using this procedure effectively breaks the dynamic features of Tiny Core. If your goal is a locked down frozen system then proceed. Do not complain when you are unable to dynamically add even one application.

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 .dep files and 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.

It is not necessary to use On Boot or On Demand, as you can use Install Local.

However, it may be more convenient to use On Boot or On Demand, or have some applications in each. This enables you to just start applications from the wbar and menu. If On Demand (or Install Local) is used, the CD can be run on a computer with less RAM than On Boot. 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.

It is a good idea to include install-tools.gz for installing Tiny Core, and network-tools.gz for connecting to the Internet. Copy these to the tce directory (not /tce/optional).

If you don't plan to use backup, you may 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.