Setting up a dual boot with FreeBSD 6.1

hitest · 09-16-2006, 11:39 AM

Hello,

I'm quite fond of FreeBSD 6.1 and would like to run it on my Slackware box. I usually run one OS at a time, but, I'd like to set-up lilo to boot both Slackware 11 (when released) and FreeBSD 6.1. I plan to delete my current install of Slackware 10.2 and set-up a swap partition, a partition for Slackware 11 and one for FreeBSD 6.1. Here's a copy of my present lilo.conf for Slackware 10.2.

Code:

# LILO configuration file
# generated by 'liloconfig'
#
# Start LILO global section
boot = /dev/sda
message = /boot/boot_message.txt
prompt
timeout = 1200
# Override dangerous defaults that rewrite the partition table:
change-rules
  reset
# 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
# End LILO global section
# Linux bootable partition config begins
image = /boot/vmlinuz
  root = /dev/sda2
  label = Linux
  read-only
# Linux bootable partition config ends

I'm a novice in setting up a dual boot in Slackware. Does anyone have any tips on how to edit my liloconf?
Thank you for any and all answers.

respectfully submitted,

hitest

urka58 · 09-16-2006, 12:01 PM

This should help you
http://www.tldp.org/HOWTO/Linux+FreeBSD-4.html
Do not install the FreeBsd bootloader of course.
Ciao

MannyNix · 09-16-2006, 12:05 PM

Hi, that's an easy one.
I've had many "linux" distros running on the same drive as FreeBSD. Just remember FreeBSD needs a primary partition. Another thing to consider is the distros you plan using. (Gentoo's previous release autoinstaller wiped out my partition table, i heard new release is better). With Slackware there's nothing to worry about.
Check the FreeBSD FAQ
After editing your /etc/lilo.conf type /sbin/lilo to add changes.
An example of my previous FreeBSD install, adjust as needed.

Code:

# FreeBSD
other=/dev/hda4
  table=/dev/hda
  label=FreeBSD

Hope it helps

edit:

Quote:

Originally Posted by urka58

Do not install the FreeBsd bootloader of course.

Right, i forgot to add

hitest · 09-16-2006, 12:17 PM

image = /boot/vmlinuz
root = /dev/sda2
label = Linux
read-only

Thanks for your help guys, much appreciated:-)
If I create another primary partition for FreeBSD would it be called /dev/sda3? Thanks for the code mannyslack:-) Do I put your code right at the end of my lilo conf?

MannyNix · 09-16-2006, 12:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hitest

1 If I create another primary partition for FreeBSD would it be called /dev/sda3?
2 Do I put your code right at the end of my lilo conf?

1 I'd rather not answer since i'm not familiar at all with sda drives
2 Yes, any order is ok, an easy one is to place first the one you want to defaul. Just edit to suit your partition, don't copy/paste mine. Make sure you check the links above about the FAQ
Here's a copy of an old /etc/lilo.conf

Code:

...# VESA framebuffer console @ 640x480x256
# vga=769
# End LILO global section
# Linux bootable partition config begins
image = /boot/vmlinuz
  root = /dev/hda9
  label = Slackware
  read-only
# Linux bootable partition config ends
# Linux bootable partition config begins
image = /mnt/gentoo/boot/vmlinuz
  root = /dev/hda5
  label = Gentoo
  read-only
# Linux bootable partition config ends
# Windows bootable partition config begins
other = /dev/hda1
  label = Windows
  table = /dev/hda
# Windows bootable partition config ends
# FreeBSD
other=/dev/hda4
  table=/dev/hda
  label=FreeBSD

ps. i don't remember if you need to add your FreeBSD partition to /etc/fstab but i'm almost sure you don't. In previous post i should have said gentoo installer wiped my partition table because it couldn't read FreeBSD slices, but it's solved now (i think)

Post if you need any help, good luck

hitest · 09-16-2006, 12:49 PM

Thanks mannyslack, I appreciate the help:-) I'll post back if I need help.

hitest · 12-05-2006, 08:48 PM

# Linux bootable partition config begins
image = /boot/vmlinuz
root = /dev/sda2
label = Linux
read-only
# Linux bootable partition config ends
# FreeBSD
other=/dev/sdb2
table=/dev/sdb
label=FreeBSD

Okay, I've been tooling around with Slackware 11.0 for a bit and am ready to try installing FreeBSD 6.1. I've got two SCSI drives set-up on this system. Drive sda is my Slackware system. Drive sdb is where I'd like to install FreeBSD 6.1. How does this look for my liloconf file? I'm assuming sdb2 would be the bootable BSD partition.
What do you think?

granth · 12-05-2006, 09:53 PM

Have you considered installing VMware Server on your Slackware box and creating a FreeBSD virtual machine? Virtual machines are more convenient than dual boot.

hitest · 12-05-2006, 10:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by granth

Have you considered installing VMware Server on your Slackware box and creating a FreeBSD virtual machine? Virtual machines are more convenient than dual boot.

That's a cool idea:-) Do you have a link to VMware Server that would work for Slackware?

tuxrules · 12-05-2006, 10:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hitest

That's a cool idea:-) Do you have a link to VMware Server that would work for Slackware?

You can try out qemu. I can't say anymore than that since I haven't used it but I know it is quite popular solution.

Tux,

hitest · 12-06-2006, 09:34 AM

Thanks, tuxrules:-) I'll check that out:-)

granth · 12-07-2006, 07:13 PM

Goto VMware's website and download VMware-server-1.0.1-29996.tar.gz

Follow the guide located at http://www.cs.ucr.edu/~jbyrne/vmware.htm

If you follow the instructions, the installation should go smooth.

If you run into any trouble, dont hesitate to ask. VMware is the most reliable, easy to use, and fastest virtualization software.

NOTE: There is a huge difference between virtualization and emulation.

hitest · 12-09-2006, 08:15 PM

Thank you everyone for your excellent help:-)
I've just finished setting up my dual boot Slackware 11.0, FreeBSD 6.1 system. Your suggestions were very helpful mannyslack, they pointed me in the right direction for modifying my liloconf file.
In the end I decided to re-size my sda2 root slackware partition. I did this by booting my computer with an Ubuntu 6.06 CD then re-sizing the partition with Gparted which worked flawlessly, creating room for BSD. I then used Gparted to create another partition.
I then booted my BSD install disks and installed FreeBSD 6.1 to the newly created partition. After the install I booted into Slackware and modified my lilo conf, then ran /sbin/lilo

Here's my liloconf:

# Linux bootable partition config begins
image = /boot/vmlinuz
root = /dev/sda2
label = Linux
read-only
# Linux bootable partition config ends
# FreeBSD
other=/dev/sda3
table=/dev/sda
label=FreeBSD

I can now boot either Slackware or BSD with lilo:-)