Installing Linux Lite via a systemback ISO to a different laptop

[JanetBiggar]

Well, I have elected to bail on this task.  I tried coping the partitioning that occurs when LL3.8 is loaded via my usual LL bootable USB for the regular installation, but still no go.

I felt the other methods were too complex to try and so will continue to do each laptop separately.

Thanks again for the ideas that were sent and should anyone in future find a way, somewhat easily for a newbie  , to copy one system to a new install please let me know  ;D

[Moltke]

THanks Moltke this sounds promising!

One thing I’m not sure about is the aptik- am I correctly understanding that once I am using the LL live I update the live OS with everything I want then use aptik to make a backup THEN use systemback to convert that aptik backup to an ISO?

No, aptik will create a couple of files with the system info you've decided to save, save those files somewhere else, i.e a usb stick, create your live .iso with systemback, burn it to a usb and when installing in another laptop plug the usb stick where aptik's files are in and use them to install and make all the customizations and personal configurations you need to. Watch here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DUjCbkVEOq0

[JanetBiggar]

Thanks Moltke, I have a few things now to try over the next few days and will post an update when I do.

[JanetBiggar]

Ok, so here is the update:

I did try to do what Moltke suggested where I ran the live USB and updated it and so on.  Well after I updated it I did get a message saying something like " there is one broken package..." so I didn't go any further that day.  Before I got the chance to try again I received a private message from Oobuntus who provided me with the following instructions which worked like a CHARM  ;D. This has saved me soooo much time as I have been able to set up this new batch of laptops for my students in South Africa much more quickly that in the past.  What a life saver!

I actually made it prior to Oobuntus providing me with the tweaks that would cleanup the slide show and change the icon as that doesn't bother me:

Hi Janet,

So you have your ISO. That's good. But there is not just one thing wrong with it. The Installer icon text as I mentioned earlier is one. The other flaw is that the Linux Lite installation slideshow gets over-written by the Ubuntu slideshow. These are just cosmetic flaws. But they are personally irritating. So I have spent the last couple of days eliminating them. I'm sorry I didn't get it fixed before you tried it.

To make things some better you will have to repeat the process:
1. Re-install Linux Lite, (the username does not have to be linuxlite as indicated earlier)
2. update it,
3. re-install dconf-editor,
4. re-apply your customizations,
5. download and install the updated remastersys304forLL38.deb file,
6. and run doit or replicate.

I have found that you do not need Etcher. You can use Menu/Settings/Disks to burn the ISO:
1. Insert your flash drive and then click Menu/Settings/Disks,
2. Select the flash drive in the left pane,
3. Click the hamburger icon at top right and select Restore Disk Image...,
4. In the Image to Restore field, browse to /home/remastersys/remastersys/ and select the ISO,
5. Then click Start Restoring...
It's only a trifle more bother than Etcher.

It's OK if you want to post the steps and mark your post as solved, but maybe you should use these updated instructions:



To create an installable ISO of a customized Linux Lite 3.8 32bit system:
    • Install Linux Lite 32bit v3.8 on an uncommited hard drive. This will be your replica development drive.
    • Install Updates
    • Also install dconf-editor via Synaptic
    • Clear the apt-cache with sudo apt-get clean, (optional, but makes for a smaller ISO)
    • Uninstall unwanted programs
    • Install elective programs
    • Set Firefox preferences
    • Add Firefox bookmarks that you want to be present in the replicated systems
    • Clear Firefox history and cache
    • Download and install Remastersys from here: http:///www3.telus.net/someubuntufreebies/remastersys304forLL38.deb
        (It required a couple of modifications to work with Linux Lite 3.8, so you should only use this modified version)
    • Install the downloaded deb package using gdebi. (just double-click the deb file)

You're now ready to create a replicant ISO.
Step 1. Open a terminal.
Step 2. Type the command 'dconf-editor'. Make sure that the org/blueman/transfer shared path is Set to Default. Then close dconf-editor.
Step 3. Type the command '2skel' and press ENTER, followed by your password.
Step 4. Type the command 'sudo remastersys clean' and press ENTER.
Step 5. Type the command 'sudo remastersys dist' and press ENTER.
Step 6. Burn the ISO that was created in /home/remastersys/remastersys to a USB stick/flash drive using either Menu/Settings/Disks or Etcher.

Since this will not be a frequent undertaking, you can execute these steps individually.
Alternatively, you can enter the command 'replicate' in a terminal and it will perform all steps, 2 through 5, and save you a bit of typing.

And if you want to add a launcher to the Menu, just:

1. Right-click the Menu and select Edit Applications
2. Left-click System
3. Left-click New Item (a Launcher Properties dialog will open)
4. In the Name: field enter: Replicate
5. In the Command: field enter: x-terminal-emulator -e /usr/bin/replicator
6. In the Comment: field enter: Create an installable ISO of this system as currently configured.
7. Leave Launch in Terminal unchecked.
8. Click OK and Close.

Now there will be a 'Replicate' launcher at the bottom of Menu/System.

Depending on what additional software you add to the development machine, and whether you want it to be preconfigured in the replica,
you may have to add additional rsync .config lines to the 2skel file. Use gksudo leafpad /usr/bin/2skel. But if you are uncomfortable doing this,
it might be better to leave them un-preconfigured.

[Oobuntus]

For anyone else who might pursue this, be advised that it is not necessary to clear the apt-cache. Doing so will not produce a smaller ISO.