linux, win2k, win98 with bootmagic

[jetta1.8T]

Here's my config:
I have one 20gig hard drive.
First 10gig (hda1) belongs to Win2k(FAT32).
5 gig (hda5) belongs to Win98 and the last 5 gig (hda6) belongs to Linux.
I installed the LILO in hda6, not the MBR. I use Bootmagic to choose the OSes but it doesn't boot to linux. Should I use loadlin??

[n2linux]

I think that if you had installed lilo onto the MBR instead of hda6, then Bootmagic would recognize it and be able to boot into linux (Bootmagic rewrites over the MBR). I don't know much about loadlin (sorry) but that may work.

[pointreyes]

I have a very different configuration than yours but ironcially I have my Linux one hda6.

I use BootMagic with lilo loaded on hda6, it works just fine. However, I'm using the version that came with PartitionMagic 6.0, maybe that version can see the hda6 because it can see past the 1024th cylinder limit.

Might want to make sure that the BootMagic configuration is truly checking the correct partition, it normally can show you the partitions that actually have boot loaders on their partitions.

[jetta1.8T]

How to install lilo on hda6?? I'm not sure it's installed properly. Right now, I'm using the floppy disk to boot linux.
I'm afraid of overwriting the MBR and screw up Win2k

[Q-Gdoxl]

I know it is scary playing with your MBR but here is something that will put you a bit at ease. IF by chance you do overwrite your MBR then use your win98 boot disk to boot and type fdisk /mbr. This restores your Win2k boot loader (I use the win 98 boot disk instead of 2k because the 2k boot disks is just that a set of 4 disks and it takes forever to boot but they do the same thing in win 2k the command is fix mbr).

From here I am sorry there is not too much I can help with as I have a similar set up and have tried Lilo, bootmagic, asp linux boot loader with only the asp linux loader wirking but I didn't like it, and now I am about to try Loadlin.exe

Wish me luck!
Hope this helps you out!
Q

[pointreyes]

A lot depends on which distro you use.

Most of them will give you a choice of installing lilo on a diskette, the partition that Linux is installed on, or the Master Boot Record (MBR). Just select the partition that Linux is installed on. If you need more then you might what to check by searching the LNO for answers on how to load the lilo for your distro (each one is different with the way to set up the lilo and each is different with the wording).

[jaZzguy]

I have exactly the same problem. I placed LILO on hde6, but also had another installation on hda1. BM could not detect either. I too am fearful of overwriting the W2K mbr...so that's out. Loadlin works perfectly from DOS, but that's no more pratical than the floppy boot. Now if I could just get Loadlin to work from the W2K boot.ini file I'll be all set. If someone has a solution, I'd appreciate it.

[Chatterjee]

just my discovery,

booting with the win2k cd and choosing repair/recovery console and then typing "fixmbr" at the command prompt will restore your MBR to point to the windows OS

:)
-S

[Jeepsta]

dont be afraid to mess with the MBR as long as you have the Win2k install disk or the Win98 boot disk. I fscked my MBR when I started learning how to dual-boot but I just loaded the win2k CD and chose repair like Chatterjee said and all was good.

MBR isnt that bad if you have a boot disk handy. What you need to watch out for is the partition table. Now thats something you dont want to fsck.

Just my thoughts,

Zach