Linux boot up

[goatstudio]

I just installed RH6.2 on my D DRIVE, and my C drive is Win98. My C and D actually is same harddisk just partition to 2 drive.

The problem is, I read the manual it said it will automatically install LILO in MBR if I perform workstation install, but now I still need a boot disk to boot up, how do I boot up the linux without boot disk?

[ 15 March 2001: Message edited by: goatstudio ]

[eXtremist]

lemme see if I can work through this with my limited knowledge....

What I would do is load up linux and run linuxconf as superuser (hopefully you have it installed). From there you can go to boot options and configure lilo. Set it to be installed in the MBR, and set it so it can boot to /dev/hda1 (for Win98) and label it such. Then set it to also boot from /dev/hda2 (for linux) and label that.. Then just choose the default OS and way-to-go..

Of course, if you don't have linuxconf, you have to edit your lilo.conf file.. This is much harder to explain so if you need more help just reply...

[goatstudio]

I try the linuxconf, but I can't find the option to install lilo in MBR...any idea?
I login as root. Thanks

[bdg1983]

Where is Linux installed? Is it past the 1024 cylinder (around 8GB)? If this is the case, then lilo will not allow you to boot Linux unless you install the newer version of Lilo.

If not, then you can manually edit /etc/lilo.conf and change the device to point to your mbr. Rerun /sbin/lilo for the changes to take effect.

Since I use Grub instead of Lilo, I'm not sure what needs to be changed in lilo.conf. Perhaps post the contents of your lilo.conf and someone here can suggest the changes that are required.

If not, there are NHF's here on lilo and booting and other similar posts that may help.

[bdg1983]

Found this at Caldera that may help.

The following example will enable a user to boot a system containing Windows95/98 and OpenLinux located on the same drive.

boot=/dev/hda
map=/boot/map
install=/boot/boot.b
prompt
timeout=50

image=/vmlinuz
label=linux
root=/dev/hda2
read-only
append = ""

other = /dev/hda1
label=win9x
table=/dev/hda
loader=/boot/chain.b

Explanation:
- "boot=/dev/hda" references the first drive seen by the system (/dev/hda for IDE, /dev/sda for SCSI, etc.). This will put LILO on the Master Boot Record (MBR) of the drive.
- "timeout" is measured in units of 1/10 second.
- The "image" block is the Linux partition; the "other" block(s) contain other operating systems. These can appear in any order. The default is the first listed. When you boot, you will see a "boot:" prompt. Hit TAB for a list of possible boot options. Hitting ENTER or not taking any action will default to the first option.
- In the "image" block, the "root" line points to the PARTITION where Linux is stored.
- In the "other" blocks, the "other" line points to the PARTITION where the operating system is loaded. The "table" line points to the disk itself.

Save the changes and run "lilo" from the command prompt. You will see a responce that reads similar to:
Added linux *
Added win9x

The "*" indicates that linux is the default os to load.

Other sample configurations and a discussion on LILO are located in the LILO mini-howto. http://www.caldera.com/LDP/HOWTO/mini/LILO.html

If you remove Linux from the system, run "fdisk /MBR" from a DOS prompt to remove LILO from the Master Boot Record.

[goatstudio]

I install my Linux at Drive D which is 3GB.
But under red hat 6.2, inside my etc/ do not have lilo.conf.

[ 15 March 2001: Message edited by: goatstudio ]

[bdg1983]

There are some differences between certain distros although I thought the location of lilo.conf whould be consistent.

Have you searched your filesystem to see if you can find lilo.conf?

I install my Linux at Drive D which is 3GB.

Linux does not use drive lettering. It uses partitions and mount points.

What is the size of the Win98 partition?

[trekker]

Hi! I'm running RH7 and my lilo.conf is under /etc. My guess is that it will be the same for RH6.2? Should be the same.. I think it's rather consistent that config files are stored under /etc.

[goatstudio]

Hi, Thanks for the reply, My win98 is 3GB and Linux is 3GB too...
I try to look for linux.conf at all other folder but not found....could be my Linux crop up when installing... :(