[cobalt-users] Modifying an OSRCD to look at floppy for 'release_spec' file

[Bruce Timberlake <bruce@xxxxxxxxxx>]

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> Would it be possible to create an OSRCD (I'm particularly interested in
> a RaQ4r disc) that will ask for the spec file to be read from the floppy
> drive? I have compiled SO MANY OSRCDs in the last two weeks just to
> change the spec file, I am going bankrupt! It would be really nice if I
> could just modify the file, stick in a new floppy and try the install
> again.

I would think so... I took a quick look into

/nfsroot-x86/bto-sync/production/3001R_1.72/installer/ifuncs

(for my RaQ4i CD) and found the routine which sets the relevant
environment variable RELSPEC (that determines the spec file location for 
the rest of the process). My comments inline, marked with leading "##"):

function __set_RELSPEC
# Find the release spec file relevant to the current product,
# and set env var `RELSPEC' to it.
{
    if [ -e release_spec ]; then
##             ^^^^
## Add a check here for the file on a specific device
## instead of just in the current directory:
##
##  if [ -e /mnt/floppy/release_spec ]; then

        echo Using deprecated release_spec
        echo Using deprecated release_spec
        echo Using deprecated release_spec'   'READ
        echo Using deprecated release_spec
        echo Using deprecated release_spec'   'YOUR
        echo Using deprecated release_spec
        echo Using deprecated release_spec'   'MAIL
        echo Using deprecated release_spec
        echo Using deprecated release_spec'    !!!!'
        echo Using deprecated release_spec
        RELSPEC=release_spec
    else
        RELSPEC=release_spec.${PRODUCT:?}
##                              ^^^^^^^^^
## I think you'd want to change this line to
##      RELSPEC=/mnt/floppy/release_spec.${PRODUCT:?}
##
## or something similar

    fi
}


I'd do more error checking for the floppy device/graceful degradation/etc
for a "public" release of the "fix".  Also, you may have to tweak the base
OS on the CD to mount a floppy drive, and most laptops won't have both
available at once so this whole thing would be moot anyway... (maybe have
a way to get it across the network or something? Hmm...)

But if you're sure of your own hardware setup, you could skip the check and
"hardwire" a specific device. Then just make sure that floppy is in there
when this thing runs!

- -- 
Bruce Timberlake

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