heavytull wrote:
> i think it failed because the source files were on the target
> partition.
> is it?

I did it, but differently. I copied the .iso files to a separate
partition, mounted that on /install, created symlink and installed as if
it was from CD. Here's how:

Let's assume partition with .iso files is /dev/hda3:

mkdir /install
mount /dev/hda3 /install

Make fake entry in /dev:
ln -s /install/slack1.iso /dev/mycd

Edit the installer to use -o loop. Open the file:
/usr/lib/setup/INSCD

Find the part where it says:
while [ 0 ]; do # time to mount the CD/DVD device:
mount -o ro -t iso9600 $DRIVE_FOUND /var/log/mount 1> $RDIR 2> $RDIR

Change "-o ro" with "-o ro,loop"

Run "setup", select CDROM as installation media, type the path manually
"/dev/mycd". When installer asks for disc2, just open the other console
(Alt+F2) and mount it:

mount /dev/mycd -o ro,loop /var/log/mount/


Enjoy.

--
Milan Babuskov
http://njam.sourceforge.net
http://swoes.blogspot.com