Some suggestions on a LiveCD for tech support

melchoir

I work in computer repair at a local computer store here, we'll usually tote around a copy of Knoppix or something to test hardware, but we use a spin off of BartPE (a windows LiveCD) for a lot of utilitarian operations (drive repair, cloning, stress testing, things of that nature).
So I had the idea of making my own LiveCD that was aimed a little more at our needs. And of course Gentoo was my flavor or choice. So I looked into it and found this thread. http://gentoo-wiki.com/HOWTO_build_a_LiveCD_from_scratch
My desire for this is to have utilities comparable to our Windows LiveCD, and of course the amazing hardware support of my brand new kernel and the bajillion modules I complied, and to have it be fast and lightweight.

So I've installed the following

fluxbox (lightweight WM)
rox (simple file manager)
iDesk (desktop icons)
dmraid
memtest86+
ntfsprogs

On the list to install
firefox
gparted
mplayer
acroread
ndiswrapper
madwifi
(any tips tricks or links on how to get those running easily for my less linux inclined coworkers would be appreciated)
bonnie++
conky (resource monitor)
cpuburn (cpu burn in)
stress (stress test)
lmbench (benchmark suite)
xfbsuite (frontend some some above tools)

Wish list
- Firstly I'd like to note that to keep the size of the distro down, I'm trying to avoid extra libraries. I can't avoid gtk but I'd like to stay away from QT.
video stress testing (I've compiled every X11 video driver available, including ATI's, and NVidia's)
vendor specific HD tools (Seagate and Western Digital mostly, I haven't checked into linux versions as of this writing)
graphical cd burn software (maybe xcdroast or gnomebaker, haven't looked into either yet)
data backup / drive cloning (I know linux has a wealth of software to this end but I've never delved into it before)

So to get to the point, I'd like some suggestions on anything in the Wish list, anything you think I may have forgotten, or a suggestion to do something I've already put down better. Thanks in advance for the advice!

kernelOfTruth · Posted: Mon Oct 29, 2007 10:22 am Post subject:

here - sorry for throwing that list at you but I currently don't have the time to sort out:

melchoir · Posted: Sat Nov 03, 2007 1:57 am Post subject:

Thanks, some of those were actually pretty useful, there's still a couple more things I feel it's lacking, but for the most part I'd rather satisfied and I used many of the packages listed.

Clete2 · Posted: Sat Nov 03, 2007 4:14 am Post subject:

Once you perfect your LiveCD/DVD, would you be willing to upload the ISO somewhere?

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melchoir · Posted: Sat Nov 03, 2007 7:08 am Post subject:

I was actually considering it. I figured since I'd be keeping it up to date as I have a constant use for it, it might be useful to that end to others as well.
A few caveats though, I removed a bunch of drivers for really obscure hardware from the kernel, but I suppose I could compile them. I've also gotten some windows software running via wine some things (just spyware sweepers at the moment, which makes sense as linux wouldn't need such a thing

) that are just not available otherwise.
I've also switched to KDE, some of my not so linux savvy coworkers didn't like fluxbox so much. But yeah, I'll probably do that when I'm satisfied with the state of the liveCD.

kernelOfTruth · Posted: Sat Nov 03, 2007 10:17 am Post subject:

there's a nice list over at System RescueCD:

http://www.sysresccd.org/Detailed-packages-list

you might also like to consider those

Cheers

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