I want to create a new OSX installation DVD with minimum changes. I know how to use Pacifist and collected information about modifying installation dvd's. I want to start over from scratch. What's bare minimum changes are required to create a bootable and installable dvd? I think I need to replace these files with hacked versions:

AppleSMBIOS.kext
mach_kernel
Info.plist (perhaps?)
IOATAFamily.kext (perhaps?)

What else is needed?

do you mean you're starting from an original apple install DVD?

Yeah, I think some more info is needed.
What are you starting out with as far as your base install dmg/iso ?
Will you be editing this dmg/iso from inside Mac OS Ten or trying to build one in windows?
What hardware are you customizing this image for?

Originally Posted by JaS

Yeah, I think some more info is needed.
What are you starting out with as far as your base install dmg/iso ?
Will you be editing this dmg/iso from inside Mac OS Ten or trying to build one in windows?
What hardware are you customizing this image for?

I want to start from an original 10.4.9 dvd. My hardware specs matches an apple imac exactly (core2 duo, nvidia, ich7, etc). I'm now running osx 10.4.9 and want to start imaging an apple install dvd as a dmg image and start from there. I wonder how much work need to be done patching this dvd/image.

Im downloading a macbook DVD install image right now. It would take a few days but then I'll try to do the same you're trying. I dont have the same hardware as you have but I think the procedure will be basically the same...
most probably mach_kernel, AppleSMBIOS, AppleACPIPlatform, AppleAPIC, IOATAFamily have to be replaced...together with the kextcache.mkext (right?). but Im guessing here...

Originally Posted by blackchungo

Im downloading a macbook DVD install image right now. It would take a few days but then I'll try to do the same you're trying. I dont have the same hardware as you have but I think the procedure will be basically the same...
most probably mach_kernel, AppleSMBIOS, AppleACPIPlatform, AppleAPIC, IOATAFamily have to be replaced...together with the kextcache.mkext (right?). but Im guessing here...

blackchungo, I'm wondering if you made some progress. If you need help please let me know!

curious about that too I want to incorporate my ati sata and realtek drivers into the mkext for uphacks dvd.

I was in the road for a few days.
I'll be trying some with the iso image this week and post my results.
erhnam, What 'bout you? did you try some?

Hmm, I'd think it be better if you guys used a 10.4.4 image as a base and then incorporate the 10.4.9 combo update/kernel/kexts/etc into the install.

I recall some major problems JaS had when using a 10.4.8 (?) image as a base since Disk Utility had been updated to use a different partitioning scheme than previously.

Well, So far I got to boot the install DVD. I used a macbook 10.4.8 DVD and the JaS 10.4.8 (Thanks Jas!, actually all credits goes to U) as reference/source for posible modifications...

-replace /mach_kernel (8.8.1 b9)

-replace system/library/extensions.mkext (you can generate your own. It s also posible to unpack the one from the original dvd, add the kexts needed and repack it again)

-remove system/library/extensions folder. (I think to unpack the .mkext file into this folder instead of remove it might work too, but I didnt try this yet)

-mod system/installation/packages/OSinstall.mpkg/contents/OSInstall.dist file. You could use BBedit, 'cos it wont change the ownership on the file. Basically, theres a couple of hardware checks at the begining. You have to remove the body of them so they look like:

function checkSupportedMachine(machineType){

return true;
}

function checkSupportedBootRom(machineType){

return true;
}

function installCheckScript(){

return true;
}


This file contains also all the references to the pkg files needed for the installation.
I also rip-off all lenguage translation, printer drivers and the /xcodetool folder, just to make the image smaller enough to fit in a 4.7 DVD.... for doing that you have to delete the pkg (system/installation/packages) files itselves as well as the entries in the OSInstall.dist script.

As far as I can tell, the mod kexts, files, etc must be installed after the essentialSystemSoftware group is done. So a PKG file with the mod files must be created and added to the DVD..... or maybe someone knows how to modify the packages provided by apple (BaseSystem.pkg, Essentials.pkg).
Also the DiskUtility app probably must by patched too as theSpam said theres a problem with the one included in the 10.4.8.

I'll be trying out how far I can get with this.... But honestly I know jack about it, I just do it by intuition.... So any help is welcome.