Ubuntu – grub2 loopback booting ubuntu server iso

dual-bootgrub2isoserver

I've got usb-keys setup to multi-boot different linux images using grub2 loopback.

The standard ubuntu release isos boot fine, however when attempting to use the server iso it will fail to install saying 'unable to detect cd-media for installation'.

the grub.cfg entry;

menuentry "ubuntu-12.04-server-amd64" {
    set isofile="/boot/ubuntu-12.04-server-amd64.iso"
    loopback loop $isofile
    linux (loop)/install/vmlinuz file=$isofile/preseed/ubuntu-server.seed ro noprompt noeject --
    initrd (loop)/install/initrd.gz
}

I've attempted to add the following parameters as the fromiso works for debian images on the key

iso-scan/filename=/boot/ubuntu-12.04-server-amd64.iso
iso-scan/filename=/dev/disk/by-uuid/2859-44B7/boot/ubuntu-12.04-server-amd64.iso
fromiso=/dev/disk/by-uuid/2859-44B7/boot/ubuntu-12.04-server-amd64.iso

Best Answer

the solution to the problem is an easy one , today i wanted to install ubuntu-12.04 server on my atom server , which obviously doesn't have a cdrom , and i succeeded this way . with this grub configuration :

menuentry "ubuntu-12.04-server-amd64.iso" {

set isofile="/path/to/ubuntu-12.04-server-amd64.iso"
loopback loop (hdX,Y)$isofile
linux (loop)/install/vmlinuz file=$isofile/preseed/ubuntu-server.seed iso-scan/filename=$isofile quiet noeject noprompt splash --
initrd (loop)/install/initrd.gz
}

, the computer will reach the setup screen , when you are there , press Alt+F2 , and do the following:

mkdir /media/bla
mount /dev/sdXY /media/bla
mkdir /cdrom
mount -o loop,ro -t iso9660 /media/bla/path/to/ubuntu-12.04-server-amd64.iso /cdrom

then press Alt+F1 again , and continue the normal install process , note that , you must not format /dev/sdXY . the installation will work flawlessly , till you reach the configuring apt step , it returned no error , and just didn't work , i simply skipped everything up until installing boot loader on the disk . reboot the system , and voila !!! everything works , the only thing that i've noticed is that , the /etc/apt/sources.conf is empty , you must populate it the way you need it .

hope it helps .

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