problems w/ lilo only on debian

TimmyP · 07-18-2004, 11:54 PM

Hello all,

I have recently switched to Debian, after years on many other distros, and i am having issues with lilo for the fist time. I tried to install a splash screen..and ended up with this on the screen on bootup: L 9a 9a 9a 9a 9a ...

I have re-installed debian, as i couldnt get it to do anything else off the setup cd, and am at it again. I want it to show the "sarge" bmp menu, but it won't

When i boot my computer, i see this on my screen:

LILO: 22.5.9 (thats what i think the numbers are)

that sits there for 10 seconds (the time i gave the timer in my lilo.conf file, then it goas about booting into debian...i can't pick my OS, or see the bitmap that i selected.

here is my lilo.conf file:

boot=/dev/hda
root=/dev/hda1
install=bmp
bitmap=/boot/sarge.bmp
bmp-colors=1,,0,2,,0
bmp-table=120p,173p,1,15,17
bmp-timer=254p,432p,1,0,0
map=/boot/map

delay=100
#vga=normal
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

other=/dev/hdb1
label=Windows

Thank you for your help in advance.

Timmy P
~Debian User

HappyTux · 07-19-2004, 02:08 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by TimmyP
Hello all,

that sits there for 10 seconds (the time i gave the timer in my lilo.conf file, then it goas about booting into debian...i can't pick my OS, or see the bitmap that i selected.

here is my lilo.conf file:

install=bmp
bitmap=/boot/sarge.bmp
bmp-colors=1,,0,2,,0
bmp-table=120p,173p,1,15,17
bmp-timer=254p,432p,1,0,0

Thank you for your help in advance.

Timmy P
~Debian User

Looks like you have the install= line settings wrong here is what I have:

Code:

bitmap=/boot/debianlilo.bmp
bmp-colors=1,,0;9,,0
bmp-table=106p,144p,2,9,144p
bmp-timer=514p,144p,6,8,0
install=/boot/boot-bmp.b

adz · 07-19-2004, 02:36 AM

I think you're also missing a "prompt" and change the "delay" to a "timeout".

TimmyP · 07-20-2004, 12:17 AM

thank y'all for your help, i can see it just fine now...but i have another question (I only have had lilo problems on debian...which is why it's posted to the debian forms).

since i have posted my lilo.conf file, i won't do it again.......i am wondering why i am unable to boot windows xp (only use it for games...too broke to buy the linux ports)

when i select windows, the screen holds at "Loading Windows..."

since posting, i have added a table=/dev/hdb line to my conf file, and have removed the coments as well as the 'linux old' boot option

if it matters any, it's windows xp on FAT32

thanx in advance,

Timmy P

adz · 07-20-2004, 12:57 AM

Quote:

thank y'all for your help, i can see it just fine now...but i have another question... [snip]

It's not a bad idea to actually post what solved it for you. That way anyone browsing these forums will be able to find out and not have to ask.

Quote:

[snip]... i am wondering why i am unable to boot windows xp... [snip]

What I usually do in these situations is:

1. Make sure I have a disc capable of booting my linux system (the installation disc will often do - but CHECK!)
2. Boot windows into recovery mode.
3. Do a fixmbr (I think that's what the command is called - type help to double check).
4. Reboot to see if windows will boot.
5. Boot linux off the bootable disc (from 1).
6. Rerun lilo.

... And that usually fixes it.