Necessary to start with the Install DVD image?

[andyinindy]

Hey.

Was wondering if it is necessary to start with the Install DVD image, or if I could start with my preexisting image. It would save a lot of time if I didn’t need to build the entire image from scratch every time I have a small change.

Thanks,

–Andy

[walt]

Well building the image from Scratch is kind of the point. But if you mean is it possible to cache the image later in the build, rather that immediately after the base OS installed that is theoretically possible but it would have to be integrated into InstaDMG.

Another thing is that building the image in this modular fashion and keeping the Base OS separate from the rest of the installations (even though it does take alot of time) keeps your image “clean” and also prevents mistakes in the image.

[knowmad]

If, on the other hand, you need to have certain items on EVERY build you make, you can always add them at about line 622 (actually search the forums for ‘line 622’ for an example or two)which puts it before the cache.
I do it for the apps disc and (even though I shouldn’t) Office plus office 12.1 update. Those three things take over 45 minutes to install, but with them in the cached base image, I greatly reduce the build time for future images.
Again, be very careful with this, if you introduce an error at this point, it will be tough to find it later.
Have fun

[larkost]

As other people have said, a clean build is the whole point of InstaDMG.

That being the case, one of my goals for 2.0 is to have checkpoints along the way. Every checkpoint would cost quite a bit of disk space (it would be all of the differences between that point and the base install), but it would be a safe way of starting the process at a known point. Of course if you changed anything before the checkpoint it could not be used.

And I really want to get back to work on 2.0… and it is now next on my list of things. Right now I want to finish a little bit of C work I have, and then there is the job search (my fingers are crossed for the big interview tomorrow)… and then a few other little projects that have to be continued… *sigh* Not having a job is too much work!

[walt]

The idea of having checkpoints sounds awesome. Thanks for all your great/hard work btw. And good luck on the job search!

[knowmad]

BTW, the insert point has moved from line 622 to line 678 and some of the syntax has changed, but should be easy enough to figure out.

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