Create bootable SOS DVD in Panther

coastalcg · 03-09-2004, 03:37 PM

I travel frequently, and would like to have ONE safety DVD with a full version of Panther (I bought a 5-pack license so that I don't tread on license issues), plus Disk Warrior, Tech Tools Pro 4, Retrospect, etc. Right now, I have to carry a copy of the Panther installation CD's, plus copies of the other cd's, and I'm really not interested in this weight burden, or the shuffle of CD's in the event that the HD gets cranky.

I partitioned the drive, and installed Panther and the other utilities into the "safety" partition. Rebooting from the partition works properly and as expected. Localized files have been removed, and the partition has been cleaned up w/ Disk Warrior. I then created a disk image of the partition. Logging in as Adminstrator, I can use Apple Disk Utility, and burn the DVD (any other approach, including Toast, basic user, etc. merely produce coasters, and I've now got quite a collection of those).

The partition image does burn completely and verifies correctly, but it is not bootable. System preferences -> Start up disk recognizes the system on the media, as does Option key at start-up, however, the media is not "blessed" (for lack of a better word), and fails to launch (flashing folder question mark icon).

There *maybe* some third-party solutions, but these appear to stop functionality at Jaguar. I'm not a unix-head, but I'm also not afraid of terminal either.

Thoughts and suggested fixes please. Thanks in advance, Jim

trevor · 03-09-2004, 05:27 PM

You can try using the Terminal command bless on the mounted drive image before writing to DVD (for more information, type man bless in your Terminal).

Also, you should probably read these pages for more information: http://www.bombich.com/mactips/bootx.html

They are from Mike Bombich, and give some (old but still mostly relevant) information about creating a bootable CD. Included are examples of the correct bless command.

Trevor

coastalcg · 03-09-2004, 05:43 PM

Ok, I'll give this a try. I read Mike's post over the weekend. I had initially discounted the information as not fully applicable to Panther. Unfortunately, Charles Srstka's BootCD software is only functional for Jaguar...

Other forum posters indicated that the hdiutil instructions were only valid for Jaguar and CD images, and could not be applied to DVD media (obviously, the media size is too small). Any thoughts confirming/discounting hdiutil's relevance? If so, what should the terminal line be for a dvd?

Thanks!

mingking · 03-10-2004, 02:56 AM

You can use Carbon Copy Cloner to make a bootable disk with anything you want on it, e.g. disk utilities, a browser or whatever. The latest version is Panther compatible.

03-09-2004, 03:37 PM	#1
coastalcg Prospect Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 2	Create bootable SOS DVD in Panther I travel frequently, and would like to have ONE safety DVD with a full version of Panther (I bought a 5-pack license so that I don't tread on license issues), plus Disk Warrior, Tech Tools Pro 4, Retrospect, etc. Right now, I have to carry a copy of the Panther installation CD's, plus copies of the other cd's, and I'm really not interested in this weight burden, or the shuffle of CD's in the event that the HD gets cranky. I partitioned the drive, and installed Panther and the other utilities into the "safety" partition. Rebooting from the partition works properly and as expected. Localized files have been removed, and the partition has been cleaned up w/ Disk Warrior. I then created a disk image of the partition. Logging in as Adminstrator, I can use Apple Disk Utility, and burn the DVD (any other approach, including Toast, basic user, etc. merely produce coasters, and I've now got quite a collection of those). The partition image does burn completely and verifies correctly, but it is not bootable. System preferences -> Start up disk recognizes the system on the media, as does Option key at start-up, however, the media is not "blessed" (for lack of a better word), and fails to launch (flashing folder question mark icon). There maybe some third-party solutions, but these appear to stop functionality at Jaguar. I'm not a unix-head, but I'm also not afraid of terminal either. Thoughts and suggested fixes please. Thanks in advance, Jim __________________ PB G4 15" OS 10.3.2 1.25GHz

03-09-2004, 05:27 PM	#2
trevor Moderator Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Boulder, CO USA Posts: 19,854	You can try using the Terminal command bless on the mounted drive image before writing to DVD (for more information, type man bless in your Terminal). Also, you should probably read these pages for more information: http://www.bombich.com/mactips/bootx.html They are from Mike Bombich, and give some (old but still mostly relevant) information about creating a bootable CD. Included are examples of the correct bless command. Trevor __________________ How to ask questions the smart way \| Pssst. Wanna play some FuMafia?

03-09-2004, 05:43 PM	#3
coastalcg Prospect Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 2	Ok, I'll give this a try. I read Mike's post over the weekend. I had initially discounted the information as not fully applicable to Panther. Unfortunately, Charles Srstka's BootCD software is only functional for Jaguar... Other forum posters indicated that the hdiutil instructions were only valid for Jaguar and CD images, and could not be applied to DVD media (obviously, the media size is too small). Any thoughts confirming/discounting hdiutil's relevance? If so, what should the terminal line be for a dvd? Thanks! __________________ PB G4 15" OS 10.3.2 1.25GHz

03-10-2004, 02:56 AM	#4
mingking Triple-A Player Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Left Coast Posts: 90	You can use Carbon Copy Cloner to make a bootable disk with anything you want on it, e.g. disk utilities, a browser or whatever. The latest version is Panther compatible.