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I'm installing ubuntu server 10.04 over kvm switch. I have no physical access to the server. The server has ubuntu installation cd inserted. How to prevent setup from ejecting it after completion?

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If it doesn't eject, then how do you plan on booting the installed OS? Why do you need the disk in the machine after the install is done? – Zoredache Dec 13 '11 at 18:16
I'll set up boot order in the BIOS. I need it for possible reinstallation. – Poma Dec 13 '11 at 18:17
I see, you really shouldn't need it to reinstall. After the /boot partition is created and grub is installed you could simply drop an mini iso in /boot and configure grub to boot off that, assuming a somewhat recent version of grub. – Zoredache Dec 13 '11 at 18:23
And what to do if boot record is corrupted? I can always boot from cd in recovery mode. – Poma Dec 13 '11 at 18:29
I guess that is possible, but that sure seems like it would be extremely rare. I have never seen that happen with grub, except with the hard drive or some other system component was also failing. – Zoredache Dec 13 '11 at 18:34
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The culprit ejecting your CD is probably /etc/init.d/casper (look for the line with eject on it).
Modify your casper script not to do that and the CD should remain in the drive.

(You will need to remastersys or cut a new boot CD some other way in order to make this change permanent...)

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(Yeah - it took me that long to get around to putting in an Ububtu disk and looking for the script with "eject" in it. It's one of those days at the office...) – voretaq7♦ Dec 13 '11 at 21:52
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Closing the rack-door should probably be enough. The tray will meet resistance while not fully open and should close again. Poor server that has no iLo or RAC capable of inserting iso-images, though.

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this assumes a tray-loading drive that is powered through the full length of travel. Most of the rack-mounted servers I have seen have trays that "pop" but don't extend (so the tray is "out" in that the CD isn't loaded/usable, but the tray is only extended maybe 1-2cm) – voretaq7♦ Dec 13 '11 at 20:56
Mine is exactly like this. it cannot retract automatically (like in notebooks) – Poma Dec 14 '11 at 3:32
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