messed up installation

BackwardsDown · 02-22-2006, 01:11 PM

Please help,

I have tried to reinstall debian, with the net install cd,

but the installation couldnt proceed when I tried to install grub! so I installed lilo but I have no idea how it works!

And now I cant get to windows anymore! And on linux I dont have any connection with the internet,

My family needs windows, so can anyone explain me how I can boot to windows with Lilo, or how i can uninstal it and install grub?

I am now on knoppix...

BackwardsDown · 02-22-2006, 01:29 PM

my lilo.conf in /etc/ looks like this:

Quote:

# /etc/lilo.conf - See: `lilo(8)' and `lilo.conf(5)',
# --------------- `install-mbr(8)', `/usr/share/doc/lilo/',
# and `/usr/share/doc/mbr/'.

# +---------------------------------------------------------------+
# | !! Reminder !! |
# | |
# | Don't forget to run `lilo' after you make changes to this |
# | conffile, `/boot/bootmess.txt' (if you have created it), or |
# | install a new kernel. The computer will most likely fail to |
# | boot if a kernel-image post-install script or you don't |
# | remember to run `lilo'. |
# | |
# +---------------------------------------------------------------+

# Specifies the boot device. This is where Lilo installs its boot
# block. It can be either a partition, or the raw device, in which
# case it installs in the MBR, and will overwrite the current MBR.
#
boot=/dev/hda

# Specifies the device that should be mounted as root. (`/')
#
root=/dev/hda5

# This option may be needed for some software RAID installs.
#
# raid-extra-boot=mbr-only

# Enable map compaction:
# Tries to merge read requests for adjacent sectors into a single
# read request. This drastically reduces load time and keeps the
# map smaller. Using `compact' is especially recommended when
# booting from a floppy disk. It is disabled here by default
# because it doesn't always work.
#
# compact

# Installs the specified file as the new boot sector
# You have the choice between: text, bmp, and menu
# Look in lilo.conf(5) manpage for details
#
#install=menu

# Specifies the location of the map file
#
map=/boot/map

# You can set a password here, and uncomment the `restricted' lines
# in the image definitions below to make it so that a password must
# be typed to boot anything but a default configuration. If a
# command line is given, other than one specified by an `append'
# statement in `lilo.conf', the password will be required, but a
# standard default boot will not require one.
#
# This will, for instance, prevent anyone with access to the
# console from booting with something like `Linux init=/bin/sh',
# and thus becoming `root' without proper authorization.
#
# Note that if you really need this type of security, you will
# likely also want to use `install-mbr' to reconfigure the MBR
# program, as well as set up your BIOS to disallow booting from
# removable disk or CD-ROM, then put a password on getting into the
# BIOS configuration as well. Please RTFM `install-mbr(8)'.
#
# password=tatercounter2000

# Specifies the number of deciseconds (0.1 seconds) LILO should
# wait before booting the first image.
#
delay=20

# You can put a customized boot message up if you like. If you use
# `prompt', and this computer may need to reboot unattended, you
# must specify a `timeout', or it will sit there forever waiting
# for a keypress. `single-key' goes with the `alias' lines in the
# `image' configurations below. eg: You can press `1' to boot
# `Linux', `2' to boot `LinuxOLD', if you uncomment the `alias'.
#
# message=/boot/bootmess.txt
# prompt
# delay=100
# timeout=100

# Specifies the VGA text mode at boot time. (normal, extended, ask, <mode>)
#
# vga=ask
# vga=9
#

# Kernel command line options that apply to all installed images go
# here. See: The `boot-prompt-HOWTO' and `kernel-parameters.txt' in
# the Linux kernel `Documentation' directory.
#
# append=""

# If you used a serial console to install Debian, this option should be
# enabled by default.
# serial=

#
# Boot up Linux by default.
#
default=Linux

image=/vmlinuz
label=Linux
read-only
# restricted
# alias=1

initrd=/initrd.img

image=/vmlinuz.old
label=LinuxOLD
read-only
optional
# restricted
# alias=2

initrd=/initrd.img.old

# If you have another OS on this machine to boot, you can uncomment the
# following lines, changing the device name on the `other' line to
# where your other OS' partition is.
#
# other=/dev/hda4
# label=HURD
# restricted
# alias=3
other=/dev/hda1
label=Windows
# restricted
# alias=2

What do I need to change so he automatically boots windows(hda1), and that I have 5 seconds to react, if I need linux?(hda5)

edit:
reading lilo documents at the moment...

Tinkster · 02-22-2006, 02:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BackwardsDown

my lilo.conf in /etc/ looks like this:

What do I need to change so he automatically boots windows(hda1), and that I have 5 seconds to react, if I need linux?(hda5)

edit:
reading lilo documents at the moment...

Code:

 prompt
  delay=50
  default=Windows

Not that I can understand the last one ;)

Cheers,
Tink

BackwardsDown · 02-22-2006, 02:27 PM

Quote:

Not that I can understand the last one

Cheers,
Tink

Ah thanks,
I had it working a bit now, now I can choose if I want windows or linux,
but thanks to you it runs now windows at default

(thought about it to change it to `windows` , but I thougt that I needed a command like hda1 or something

Thanks