MultiPup CD/DVD/USB Creator

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Les Kerf
Posts: 317
Joined: Sun 24 Jun 2012, 13:30

#271 Post by Les Kerf »

Success! :D
I just got done burning two multipup cd's that booted perfectly.
This will be a perfect method of distributing Puppy iso's to share.
Thanks for all of the help,
Les

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smokey01
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#272 Post by smokey01 »

Les, now that you have MultiPup working you should have a a look at BSME (Boot Splash Message Editor). This is a companion to MultiPup so you can design your own splash screens.
http://smokey01.com/software/Fatdog64-600/bsme-2.0.pet

Enjoy...... :wink:

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greengeek
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#273 Post by greengeek »

smokey01 wrote: look at BSME (Boot Splash Message Editor). This is a companion to MultiPup so you can design your own splash screens.
http://smokey01.com/software/Fatdog64-600/bsme-2.0.pet
Hi smokey - is that pet for 64bit machines only?

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smokey01
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#274 Post by smokey01 »

greengeek wrote:
smokey01 wrote: look at BSME (Boot Splash Message Editor). This is a companion to MultiPup so you can design your own splash screens.
http://smokey01.com/software/Fatdog64-600/bsme-2.0.pet
Hi smokey - is that pet for 64bit machines only?
No, it will work on both 32 and 64bit. It actually has binaries for both. A bit of clever coding determines which one to use.

Les Kerf
Posts: 317
Joined: Sun 24 Jun 2012, 13:30

#275 Post by Les Kerf »

Smokey,
I'll give it a try.
Thanks,
Les

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davids45
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Joined: Sun 26 Nov 2006, 23:33
Location: Chatswood, NSW

Multipup for USB?

#276 Post by davids45 »

G'day,

Posting from a Wheezy Pup running in RAM and booted from an 8GB USB flash thumb drive set up with a Multipup-created iso.

But this has been a bit of a struggle.
I easily created the Multipup iso, once I found out what the 'Series' meant (don't use '1'! :oops: ) and where to make the iso file (on a >8GB free-space partition).

Checked the iso by burning it first to a R-W DVD then to a non-re-writable DVD as archive/spare. Very easy and nice.

But as DVD is debatably an obsolete technology, I wanted to use a USB device as a Multipup source.

Puppy Universal Installer did not like the Multipup iso but did at least create a bootable USB for me.

I did a manual copy of the mounted Multipup iso files to the USB but the USB did not boot such that I could pick a Pup nor did it display the nice splash screen that I had with the DVDs.

I used this thread ( http://www.murga-linux.com/puppy/viewto ... 80&t=82373 ) to install Grub4Dos to the USB drive to finally get a boot menu that will let me boot to one of the USB's Pups.

In an old posting to the above thread, puppyluvr did mention he was hoping to add a USB option to Multipup.

Could this Multipup-on-a-USB be added into Multipup-5.1 at some point in the near future in an easy-to-do and explained way? And maybe explain what the 'Series' options mean for those newer to Puppy.

Thanks,

David S.

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smokey01
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#277 Post by smokey01 »

David I will have a look at it but I make no promises at this stage.

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rcrsn51
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Location: Stratford, Ontario

#278 Post by rcrsn51 »

With all due respect to puppyluvr and smokey01, the simplest way to make a multi-boot USB drive is with ISObooter.

gcmartin

#279 Post by gcmartin »

Hello @Davids45. (Removed original text)

Edit: Sorry David, I missed that you have already created a DVD and it boots properly

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smokey01
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#280 Post by smokey01 »

CatDude and I have spent considerable time adding USB functionality to MultiPup. From our testing it seems to work quite well but it could do with a bit more from others who are not so familiar with it.

I don't want to release it to the masses before more testing has been done. If you are interested in helping, please PM me and I will send you a copy/link.

Cheers

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smokey01
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#281 Post by smokey01 »

MultiPup-6.0 has been released.

This version of MultiPup includes USB flash drive functionality. In other words you can now make a MultiPup on a CD, DVD and USB flash drive.

*************** WARNING ****************
When creating a USB you will be asked to select a USB flash drive. Make sure you select the correct drive or the results could be disastrous. We have included a button to check the drive which will help you identify the correct one.

Not everyone uses a new USB flash drive, so to provide the best chance of making the USB flash drive bootable we have prepared the drive by doing the following:
Delete all existing partitions
Create a new single partition
Set the boot flag
Install GRUB
Copy the Distro files.

Most Pups will work but you will find the odd one that won't, especially where the boot process is not using the standard pup method like JL64-603.

MultiPup-6.0 is distributed as a .tar.gz file. It works on both 32bit and 64bit systems. Extract the archive to a drive with lots of space, not /root. MultiPup will extract into it's own directory called MultiPup-v6.0.
Enter the directory and click on the icon to execute. There are plenty of tooltips on the buttons and step by step instructions on the help button. If you're new to MultiPup I suggest you keep the help open.
Download here:
http://smokey01.com/software/utility/Mu ... 6.0.tar.gz
Final warning: You accept all responsibility when using MultiPup.

When asked to type in your flash drive, make sure you include the number. EG: sdb1 or sdc1 NOT sdb or sdc. If your flash drive is sdg1 or greater do not use MultiPup with USB flash drives.

Enjoy

gcmartin

#282 Post by gcmartin »

Always thought this was one of the best progress bars ever created.
Image
Is it still an operational piece in MultiPUP?

gcmartin

#283 Post by gcmartin »

Hello @Smokey01 and @Catdude. And,thanks for this utility.

Questions
  • With the CD selection, an ISO is created which can be reused. Is there a "similar" image file created and saved somewhere for USB/HDD reuse?
  • And,is there a script anywhere which can update the Menu>Utiltiy to add the MultiPUP app for accessing.
Thanks again for this!

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smokey01
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#284 Post by smokey01 »

gcmartin wrote:Always thought this was one of the best progress bars ever created.
Image
Is it still an operational piece in MultiPUP?
It was removed because it required deps that were not in all pups. It was pretty but a message does the job just as well.

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smokey01
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#285 Post by smokey01 »

gcmartin wrote:Hello @Smokey01 and @Catdude. And,thanks for this utility.

Questions
  • With the CD selection, an ISO is created which can be reused. Is there a "similar" image file created and saved somewhere for USB/HDD reuse?
  • And,is there a script anywhere which can update the Menu>Utiltiy to add the MultiPUP app for accessing.
Thanks again for this!
First question is no just like it's explained in the help.

Second is no but possible. Rather than mandating where Multipup is installed you now decide where you want it. Because of this it makes it difficult to make a desktop file that fits all situations. Multipup is executed from its main directory so if you make a desktop file to have a menu entry, then you need to make a wrapper script to cd into the Multipup directory.

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smokey01
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MultiPup-6.0

#286 Post by smokey01 »

There have been significant changes to MultiPup-6.0 since our recent release.
It now creates a desktop file in Utility when you first run it. To run it simply click on the discs icon.
A nice little graphic is displayed when you toggle between DVD and USB.
It's possible to build a CD/DVD MultiPup then switch it to USB.
Your build will be saved by closing MultiPup, providing you don't click on reset. You can continue the build by opening Multipup again and adding additional distros if you wish. You will be advised if a previous build exists when you open the main GUI.
Quite a few error checks have been added.
To delete MultiPup remove the MultiPup directory, the desktop file and the script in /usr/local/bin.

It is still important to select the correct drive when creating a MultiPup on a USB Flash drive. Choosing your main HDD will delete everything, so be very careful.
http://smokey01.com/software/utility/Mu ... r22.tar.gz

Updated to revision 22 to prevent installation on vfat and fat32 file systems as they don't support symlinks. It will work on ntfs but use with care.
Last edited by smokey01 on Mon 21 Sep 2015, 09:07, edited 3 times in total.

gcmartin

#287 Post by gcmartin »

I am having a problem with generating a bootable with several 64bit PUPs. The MultiPUP utility (V6r20 and earlier V6s) are failing to generate a bootable USB device.

Upon creations and reboot on the same PC used to create the MultiPUP bootable, the boot fails immediately after post NEVER getting to the expected Splashscreen Menu. This occurs on the non-UEFI and UEFI PC.

I am including the index.txt and the menu.lst that is generated; and a files listing of the USB hard-disk. I get the same failure no matter if its a USB flash or USB HDD.
Index.txt filelist

Code: Select all

This USB was created with the MultiPup CD/DVD/USB Creator on Fri Sep 18 17:49:20 EDT 2015

It contains:
150816-JL64-603.iso
Desktop157Final-64v2.iso
EmSee-Ultra-etc.iso
Fatdog64-701.iso
Lighthouse64-6.02-B2_Mariner.iso
LxPup64-15.05.01-hybrid.iso
tahr64-6.0.3.7.iso
menu.lst filelist

Code: Select all

# Grub Default Options               
default 0
timeout 50
color light-gray/blue black/light-gray
gfxmenu /boot/grub/Multipup
title Desktop157Final-64v2 
configfile /Desktop157Final-64v2/menu.lst
title Fatdog64-701 
configfile /Fatdog64-701/menu.lst
title Lighthouse64-6.02-B2_Mariner 
configfile /Lighthouse64-6.02-B2_Mariner/menu.lst
title tahr64-6.0.2 
configfile /tahr64-6.0.2/menu.lst
title Desktop157Final-64v2 
configfile /Desktop157Final-64v2/menu.lst
title Fatdog64-701 
configfile /Fatdog64-701/menu.lst
title Lighthouse64-6.02-B2_Mariner 
configfile /Lighthouse64-6.02-B2_Mariner/menu.lst
title tahr64-6.0.2 
configfile /tahr64-6.0.2/menu.lst
title Desktop157Final-64v2 
configfile /Desktop157Final-64v2/menu.lst
title Fatdog64-701 
configfile /Fatdog64-701/menu.lst
title Lighthouse64-6.02-B2_Mariner 
configfile /Lighthouse64-6.02-B2_Mariner/menu.lst
title LxPup64-15.05.01-hybrid 
configfile /LxPup64-15.05.01-hybrid/menu.lst
title tahr64-6.0.3.5 
configfile /tahr64-6.0.3.5/menu.lst
title Desktop157Final-64v2 
configfile /Desktop157Final-64v2/menu.lst
title Fatdog64-701 
configfile /Fatdog64-701/menu.lst
title Lighthouse64-6.02-B2_Mariner 
configfile /Lighthouse64-6.02-B2_Mariner/menu.lst
title LxPup64-15.05.01-hybrid 
configfile /LxPup64-15.05.01-hybrid/menu.lst
title tahr64-6.0.3.5 
configfile /tahr64-6.0.3.5/menu.lst
title Desktop157Final-64v2 
configfile /Desktop157Final-64v2/menu.lst
title Fatdog64-701 
configfile /Fatdog64-701/menu.lst
title Lighthouse64-6.02-B2_Mariner 
configfile /Lighthouse64-6.02-B2_Mariner/menu.lst
title LxPup64-15.05.01-hybrid 
configfile /LxPup64-15.05.01-hybrid/menu.lst
title tahr64-6.0.3.5 
configfile /tahr64-6.0.3.5/menu.lst
title Desktop157Final-64v2 
configfile /Desktop157Final-64v2/menu.lst
title EmSee-Ultra-etc 
configfile /EmSee-Ultra-etc/menu.lst
title Fatdog64-701 
configfile /Fatdog64-701/menu.lst
title Lighthouse64-6.02-B2_Mariner 
configfile /Lighthouse64-6.02-B2_Mariner/menu.lst
title LxPup64-15.05.01-hybrid 
configfile /LxPup64-15.05.01-hybrid/menu.lst
title tahr64-6.0.3.5 
configfile /tahr64-6.0.3.5/menu.lst
title Desktop157Final-64v2 
configfile /Desktop157Final-64v2/menu.lst
title EmSee-Ultra-etc 
configfile /EmSee-Ultra-etc/menu.lst
title Fatdog64-701 
configfile /Fatdog64-701/menu.lst
title Lighthouse64-6.02-B2_Mariner 
configfile /Lighthouse64-6.02-B2_Mariner/menu.lst
title LxPup64-15.05.01-hybrid 
configfile /LxPup64-15.05.01-hybrid/menu.lst
title tahr64-6.0.3.5 
configfile /tahr64-6.0.3.5/menu.lst
title 150816-JL64-603 
configfile /150816-JL64-603/menu.lst
title Desktop157Final-64v2 
configfile /Desktop157Final-64v2/menu.lst
title EmSee-Ultra-etc 
configfile /EmSee-Ultra-etc/menu.lst
title Fatdog64-701 
configfile /Fatdog64-701/menu.lst
title Lighthouse64-6.02-B2_Mariner 
configfile /Lighthouse64-6.02-B2_Mariner/menu.lst
title LxPup64-15.05.01-hybrid 
configfile /LxPup64-15.05.01-hybrid/menu.lst
title tahr64-6.0.3.7 
configfile /tahr64-6.0.3.7/menu.lst
File/Folder listings

Code: Select all

# ls -l /mnt/sdc1
total 88
drwxrwx--- 3 root root 8192 Sep 18 17:30 150816-JL64-603
drwxrwx--- 3 root root 8192 Aug 26 15:00 boot
drwxrwx--- 3 root root 8192 Aug 30 02:51 Desktop157Final-64v2
drwxrwx--- 3 root root 8192 Aug 31 03:15 EmSee-Ultra-etc
drwxrwx--- 4 root root 8192 Aug 30 02:56 Fatdog64-701
-rwxrwx--- 1 root root  266 Sep 18 17:49 index.txt
drwxrwx--- 5 root root 8192 Aug 30 02:57 Lighthouse64-6.02-B2_Mariner
drwxrwx--- 3 root root 8192 Aug 31 00:20 LxPup64-15.05.01-hybrid
drwxrwx--- 3 root root 8192 Aug 30 03:00 tahr64-6.0.2
drwxrwx--- 3 root root 8192 Aug 31 00:22 tahr64-6.0.3.5
drwxrwx--- 2 root root 8192 Sep 18 17:45 tahr64-6.0.3.7
# ls -l /mnt/sdc1/boot/grub/
total 144
-rwxrwx--- 1 root root   2958 Sep 18 17:45 menu.lst
-rwxrwx--- 1 root root      0 Sep 18 17:46 Multipup
-rwxrwx--- 1 root root    512 Dec  8  2009 stage1
-rwxrwx--- 1 root root 124778 Dec  8  2009 stage2

# fdisk  -l /dev/sdc1
Disk /dev/sdc1: 9.4 GiB, 10109272064 bytes, 19744672 sectors
Units: sectors of 1 * 512 = 512 bytes
Sector size (logical/physical): 512 bytes / 512 bytes
I/O size (minimum/optimal): 512 bytes / 512 bytes
Disklabel type: dos
Disk identifier: 0x00000000
Guidance requested.

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smokey01
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#288 Post by smokey01 »

GC Martin, where does it say you can use Multipup to install to a USB HDD? It's designed to work on a flash drive. It might work on a USB HDD but this was not the intention and has not been tested.

It would also be nice to know what OS you are using to create the Multipup. I have a a sneaky suspicion you are using a 64bit OS, is this true. If so you will need to load 32bit libs. In all my testing I use Fatdog64-700/701 and always have the 32bit slacko libs loaded.

The GRUB binary is 32bit and won't normally run without 32bit libs just like Skype which is a 32bit application.

I also see a lot of duplicates. You only need to link them once. We put in a refresh button so you can reset everything. It you want to add extra distros just link the new ones, unless of course you have done a reset.

Your two list don't math, what on earth have you been doing to get in that mess.

I suggest you click on reset and link the isos again.

There will always be some distros that won't work like JL64 that use a non standard boot sequence as previously mentioned.

Let me know how you get on.

gcmartin

#289 Post by gcmartin »

You are correct that I am using FD7x and I did NOT or do not use 32bit libs there. This may be the problem I am incurring. Thus, what is being experienced is a missing dependency for correct operation and generation of the USB.

As I mentioned, too, I have the same boot issues no matter if I use a Flash or a HDD. Same exact behavior. So, I would go further to say, that if it works on Flash, it also will work on HDD or SDD or anything that looks like a USB storage device ... excepting DVDs which is a special case.

Hope this info is useful to others. I will rerun the MultiPUP using a 32bit distro like, say, TahrPUP602 to see if the behavior is changed to what we expect to occur for a booting USB device.

I Plan to
  1. Install r20 on TahrPUP602
  2. start r20 at step 1
  3. select the USB option
  4. add links
  5. step 4 to select an image
  6. step 5 to create a USB boot storage on flash (or HDD)
  7. and report back to you here.
If there are any other items you would want me to test/provide, feel free to request and I will make that info available.

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CatDude
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Location: UK

#290 Post by CatDude »

Hello GC

I've just discovered that in order to boot the following:
  • 150816-JL64-603.iso
    Lighthouse64-6.02-B2_Mariner.iso
without getting the usual 'xxx.sfs not found' message,
you need to edit the menu.lst files in the respective subdirectories
and remove the 'PMEDIA=usbflash'.

Probably best to do that before running Step 5. :wink: :wink:

CatDude
.
[img]http://www.smokey01.com/CatDude/.temp/sigs/acer-futile.gif[/img]

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