Hi,
I want to make bootdisk for mandrake 10,after inserting the formatted blank
floppy this is the output:
[root@localhost /]# mkbootdisk 2.6.3-4mdk
Insert a disk in /dev/floppy/0. Any information on the disk will be lost.
Press <Enter> to continue or ^C to abort:
cp: writing `/tmp/mkbootdisk/initrd.img': No space left on device
Error !
after when i boot with this disk the error is:
clould not find the kernel image :linux
plz help how i can make it.

The kernel is too big to fit on the floppy. I've got around this in two ways -

1. My boot loader is grub so I created a grub boot disk - your best option.

2. Reconfiguring your kernel by taking out anything you don't need - "File Systems" and "IDE, ATA and ATAPI" deliver the quickest drop in kernel size - be very very careful. Get yourself knoppix to get yourself out of trouble. I've have two versions of the distro so If I mess one up I can always get into the other and fix the problem.

AK

aikempshall: how do i make a grub bootdisk?

hi,
this is whole procedure:
as root write grub in the konsole then enter,noe you are in the
grub prompt make root for your boot partition where is a folder
of grub:
root (hd0,x) if ur boot partition is for example /dev/hda2 you should do :
root (hd0,1)
then :
setup (fd0,0)

A grub disk doesn't replace the need for alternative ways to recover a corrupted system. A grub disk is only useful if an installation overwrites the mbr. I believe with most distros you can use the installation cd as a recovery/boot disk.

I have three hard drives on my machine one is loaded with slackware 9.1 and another with slackware Current. The third hard drive is reserved for trying out new distros or total off the wall experimentation like configuring kernels etc.

At the earliest opportunity you need to build an external toolbox to enable you to recover your system in the least possible time and effort. i.e grub disk, boot floppy, knoppix, a backup strategy and maybe even a spare hard drive with a minimum installation of your favoured distro.

AK