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-   -   How to get LILO to boot Ubuntu (https://www.linuxquestions.org/questions/linux-newbie-8/how-to-get-lilo-to-boot-ubuntu-831973/)

Ubunoob001 09-13-2010 06:48 PM

How to get LILO to boot Ubuntu
 
Hi there, I am new to Linux and the command line. So please be "gentle".


Old Setup: I HAD Ubuntu 10.04 (Fresh Install) and Vista. These were booted using GRUB as installed by Ubuntu.

New Setup: I have added Slackware. This has replaced Grub with LILO.


Problem: I have setup liloconfig so recognize each OS. Vista works great, so does Slackware. However, when I select Ubuntu: "Ubuntu is in Low Graphics Mode". Followed by a system crash.


Question: Ideally id like to simply stick with LILO. Is there a simple way to achieve this?

Note: some, on other sites, have suggested installing GRUB from Ubuntu LIVECD, however I am concerned, since I have no boot disk for my Vista that I might make it impossible to boot Vista if a GRUB problem is encountered. So ideally, id like to simply figure out how to work with LILO since it already works with Slackware, and Vista.

onebuck 09-13-2010 06:56 PM

Hi,

Post your '/etc/lilo.conf'.
Crystal ball is broke!
:hattip:

Ubunoob001 09-13-2010 07:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by onebuck (Post 4096546)
Hi,

Post your '/etc/lilo.conf'.
Crystal ball is broke!
:hattip:

:hattip: onebuck its an honor to have you respond to one of my questions. your slackware links etc has been a godsend. Anyhow...here is the lilo.conf

Code:

# LILO configuration file
# generated by 'liloconfig'
#
# Start LILO global section
boot = /dev/sda
#compact        # faster, but won't work on all systems.
# Boot BMP Image.
# Bitmap in BMP format: 640x480x8
  bitmap = /boot/slack.bmp
# Menu colors (foreground, background, shadow, highlighted
# foreground, highlighted background, highlighted shadow):
  bmp-colors = 255,0,255,0,255,0
# Location of the option table: location x, location y, number of
# columns, lines per column (max 15), "spill" (this is how many
# entries must be in the first column before the next begins to
# be used.  We don't specify it here, as there's just one column.
  bmp-table = 60,6,1,16
# Timer location x, timer location y, foreground color,
# background color, shadow color.
  bmp-timer = 65,27,0,255
# Standard menu.
# Or, you can comment out the bitmap menu above and
# use a boot message with the standard menu:
#message = /boot/boot_message.txt

# Append any additional kernel parameters:
append=" vt.default_utf8=0"
prompt
timeout = 300
# VESA framebuffer console @ 1024x768x256
vga = 773
# Normal VGA console
# vga = normal
# VESA framebuffer console @ 1024x768x64k
# vga=791
# VESA framebuffer console @ 1024x768x32k
# vga=790
# VESA framebuffer console @ 1024x768x256
# vga=773
# VESA framebuffer console @ 800x600x64k
# vga=788
# VESA framebuffer console @ 800x600x32k
# vga=787
# VESA framebuffer console @ 800x600x256
# vga=771
# VESA framebuffer console @ 640x480x64k
# vga=785
# VESA framebuffer console @ 640x480x32k
# vga=784
# VESA framebuffer console @ 640x480x256
# vga=769
# ramdisk = 0    # paranoia setting
# End LILO global section
# Linux bootable partition config begins
image = /boot/vmlinuz
  root = /dev/sda5
  label = Slackware
  read-only  # Partitions should be mounted read-only for checking
# Linux bootable partition config ends
# Linux bootable partition config begins
image = /boot/vmlinuz
  root = /dev/sda8
  label = Ubuntu
  read-only  # Partitions should be mounted read-only for checking
# Linux bootable partition config ends
# Windows bootable partition config begins
other = /dev/sda1
  label = Vista
  table = /dev/sda
# Windows bootable partition config ends

Thanks in advance! And go SLOOOOWWW im pretty new.

Perceptor 09-14-2010 05:32 AM

Try this: boot Slackware, become root. Mount the Ubuntu partition in some mount point, say "/media/ubntmp" (you can use another name, of course, this is just an example). Open /etc/lilo.conf and change the Ubuntu entry

Code:

image = /boot/vmlinuz
with

Code:

image = /media/ubntmp/boot/vmlinuz
it should look like this:

Code:

# Linux bootable partition config begins
image = /media/ubntmp/boot/vmlinuz
  root = /dev/sda8
  label = Ubuntu
  read-only  # Partitions should be mounted read-only for checking

Save the file and run
Code:

/sbin/lilo
If it retruns no errors, then you're set. Note that you don't need to mount the Ubuntu partition under Slackware anymore, only if you wish to edit /etc/lilo.conf.
Good luck.

Ubunoob001 09-14-2010 07:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Perceptor (Post 4096936)
Try this: boot Slackware, become root. Mount the Ubuntu partition in some mount point, say "/media/ubntmp" (you can use another name, of course, this is just an example). Open /etc/lilo.conf and change the Ubuntu entry

Code:

image = /boot/vmlinuz
with

Code:

image = /media/ubntmp/boot/vmlinuz
it should look like this:

Code:

# Linux bootable partition config begins
image = /media/ubntmp/boot/vmlinuz
  root = /dev/sda8
  label = Ubuntu
  read-only  # Partitions should be mounted read-only for checking

Save the file and run
Code:

/sbin/lilo
If it retruns no errors, then you're set. Note that you don't need to mount the Ubuntu partition under Slackware anymore, only if you wish to edit /etc/lilo.conf.
Good luck.


A quick question: because lilo.conf is accessible directly in Slackware, why must I first mount the Ubuntu partition. Or are you saying to create a mount point in the Ubuntu partition, then, under Slackware filesystem edit lilo.conf?

Thanks for the help!

Perceptor 09-14-2010 08:41 AM

Mounting of the Ubuntu partition is required because LILO needs to "see" the other boot images in order to update itself correctly. This link explains it better. :) And since Slackware installed the LILO boot loader, the above commands must be run while running Slackware; you don't need to do anything while running Ubuntu.
Long story short: while in Slackware, create the mountpoint (you must be root)
Code:

mkdir /media/ubntmp
mount Ubuntu partition
Code:

mount /dev/sda8 /media/ubuntmp
Then edit /etc/lilo.conf according to my previous post.

Ubunoob001 09-14-2010 08:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Perceptor (Post 4097100)
Mounting of the Ubuntu partition is required because LILO needs to "see" the other boot images in order to update itself correctly. This link explains it better. :) And since Slackware installed the LILO boot loader, the above commands must be run while running Slackware; you don't need to do anything while running Ubuntu.
Long story short: while in Slackware, create the mountpoint (you must be root)
Code:

mkdir /media/ubntmp
mount Ubuntu partition
Code:

mount /dev/sda8 /media/ubuntmp
Then edit /etc/lilo.conf according to my previous post.

I think I understand. Being new to Linux and Slackware can be, at times, like learning the inside of a great castle with eyes closed (using just hands). Exciting at least! I may attempt also GRUB2 for both, and see how that works. However, I am attracted to the simplicity of LILO. Many Thanks for your help

onebuck 09-14-2010 01:33 PM

Hi,

Sorry about getting back late.

'Perceptor' has provided some very good information.

@Ubunoob001 You will find the 'Did you find this post helpful? Yes NO.
We are having a lot discussion here on LQ about the 'rep' & helpful system. I'm curious to know if you had any inclination to perform a response at any time? I'm not saying that you should but curious about a honest opinion from a new user.

BTW, 'Perceptor' method is used by a lot of Slackware users. Other ways but this is the simplest & clear way.
:hattip:

Ubunoob001 09-14-2010 06:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by onebuck (Post 4097382)
Hi,

@Ubunoob001 You will find the 'Did you find this post helpful? Yes NO.
We are having a lot discussion here on LQ about the 'rep' & helpful system. I'm curious to know if you had any inclination to perform a response at any time? I'm not saying that you should but curious about a honest opinion from a new user.

:hattip:

Onebuck,
Perhaps ill give too much feedback but here is part of my immediate, and perhaps sub-conscious reaction (albeit not so sub-c after saying it heh) to the "did you find this..?".

1. While the change from a simple "thank" system might be based on a more complex system designed to reflect know-how/reputation, I feel that the wording is off-putting: 'did you find.." seems like a consumer poll divorced from the person whom I find helpful. Whereas "thanks!" just feels more closely linked to the person offering help, and therefore demands more of my attention and willingness to respond.
2. The location of the "did you.." seems a bit like fine-print.
3. Responding "no I did not find this helpful" seems a bit aggressive. For example, some advice I have gotten WOULD be helpful if my level of understanding were higher. However, I might still like to thank the person even if I took another more newb-friendly route.
4. Finally, as a corollary to 3, having the sole option of "thanks" seems like +1 whereas a non-thanks is not -1, or even +0 but just Nul. Perhaps not responding would give this same result. However as a newbie, I might not find something helpful at all, but this information might be VERY helpful to someone else, and the responding poster should not be reputation-bound by their pedagogy. And responding "no" could harm their reputation, whereas me, the newb, not thanking someone wont hurt their rep.

Just some immediate thoughts. Im not implying there is no intelligent solution built into the rep algorithm (as I haven't read all the documentation), but just some immediate thoughts as to why some others might not be responding as much as expected.

And THANKS! guys

onebuck 09-14-2010 10:20 PM

Hi,

Thanks!
:)


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