I want to put a .iso file of a bootable linux CD on the harddrive of my computer. I want to have it boot using grub (or lilo), and have it boot from the .iso file as if the .iso was a real CD in the CDROM drive.
Here is a page that makes reference to doing this, but instead of a .iso file it is a .img file of a floppy or a whole harddisk installation:
http://grub4dos.sourceforge.net/wiki/index.php/Grub4dos_tutorial
That page makes reference to "cdrom emulation is not supported", but I don't know if it is not supported in grub, or if what want to do is completely impossible.
Apparently Epidemic Linux (and maybe Knoppix ?) have a "bootfrom" parameter:
"Using the parameter “bootfrom=/partition/path” you can start Epidemic from an ISO image located anywhere on the HD without having to create a DVD. This is very handy for testing the system."
(From www.epidemiclinux.org/ )
Drew
P.S. I am NOT interested in installing the CD on the harddrive. If I could have a dozen .iso's on the harddrive, I would like to be able to select them from grub and boot each of them.
Best Answer
Looks like grub 0.95 or later can. http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=799253&page=2 http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/forum-replies-archive.cfm/925285.html
Grub2 can boot iso's, but the docs are really sketchy so far, (even though it is the default for Ubuntu 9.10).
Google about, in some senses, as CDs are bootable via bios, no reason it is hard.
Google it.
http://michael-prokop.at/blog/2009/05/25/boot-an-iso-via-grub2/ http://en.gentoo-wiki.com/wiki/Grub2