A CD image viewer and extractor 85

NOTE: follow-ups set to c.o.l.misc since this seems off-topic for c.o.l.x

The kernel version isn't as important as what options are compiled in and-or available as modules. If you want to mount a ISO image, the kernel needs to support (either built-in or as a loadable module) the IS0-9660 filesystem (which is needed for real CDs, too) and the loopback device. If the kernel doesn't support the loopback device, you're out of luck. This feature has been available for years and has been enabled in most distro-supplied kernels for quite some time. But if you're using a custom kernel, it's up to you to make sure it is set to "M" or "Y" in the config file.

Beyond that, you'll still need root access (either the root pbuttword or permission to use 'sudo') to actually mount the ISO image...regardless of what kernel you're using. You might be able to get around that with a line like:

path-to-ISOmnt-someplace iso9660 loop,user 0 0

inetc-fstab. (Note that editingetc-fstab will require root priveleges.) If you're going to need more than one ISO image you'll need one line inetc-fstab for each (or some other work around).