How can I properly merge Debian DVDs into a single ISO for offline installation without prompts for extra discs?
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I want to create a single bootable Debian ISO by merging **DVD1**, **DVD2**, and **DVD3** of Debian 10.13.0.
My goal is to install Debian **offline**, using one ISO, and have access to all packages from all three DVDs **without being prompted to insert other discs** during installation.
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### What I did:
I'm on macOS. Here's my full procedure:
brew install p7zip xorriso dpkg
mkdir -p ~/Desktop/operation/combined/{dvd1,dvd2,dvd3,merged}
cd ~/Desktop/operation
7z x debian-10.13.0-amd64-DVD-1.iso -ocombined/dvd1
7z x debian-10.13.0-amd64-DVD-2.iso -ocombined/dvd2
7z x debian-10.13.0-amd64-DVD-3.iso -ocombined/dvd3
cp -a combined/dvd1/. combined/merged/
cp -a combined/dvd2/pool/. combined/merged/pool/
cp -a combined/dvd3/pool/. combined/merged/pool/
cd combined/merged
mkdir -p dists/stable/main/binary-amd64
dpkg-scanpackages pool /dev/null > dists/stable/main/binary-amd64/Packages
gzip -k -f dists/stable/main/binary-amd64/Packages
cp -a ../dvd1/isolinux ./
cp -a ../dvd1/install ./
cp -a ../dvd1/.disk ./
cp -a ../dvd1/boot ./
cp -a ../dvd1/md5sum.txt ./
xorriso -as mkisofs \
-r -J -joliet-long -iso-level 3 \
-V "Debian Combined" \
-o ~/Desktop/debian-combined.iso \
-b isolinux/isolinux.bin \
-c isolinux/boot.cat \
-no-emul-boot -boot-load-size 4 -boot-info-table \
-eltorito-alt-boot \
-e boot/grub/efi.img \
-no-emul-boot \
.
### The problem:
During installation, I still get prompted to insert other DVD, If I say "No", installation proceeds but only ~218 packages are installed (from DVD1). Packages from DVD2 and DVD3 are not used.
### Question :
What am I missing to properly merge Debian DVDs into a single ISO that contains all packages and metadata, without the installer asking for additional DVDs?
Asked by student
(11 rep)
Jun 5, 2025, 08:55 PM
Last activity: Jun 8, 2025, 06:45 AM
Last activity: Jun 8, 2025, 06:45 AM