I'm not sure I understand your question...
To suspend to memory you use a command such as:
Code:
sync ; sync ; echo -n mem > /sys/power/state
The machine in suspend mode needs the power to maintain that state. After suspending to memory you resume by touching a key or opening the lid.
To hibernate to hard disk you use a command such as:
Code:
sync ; sync ; echo -n disk > /sys/power/state
The machine in hibernate mode doesn't need the power to maintain that state. After hibernation to hard disk you resume by pressing power on button.
Assuming your swap partition is /dev/hda4 to enable hibernation you have to add to append option in your /etc/lilo.conf a parameter:
It seems you mixed up in your question suspending (``...after suspending to RAM'') and hibernation (``While booting...'').