configure lilo

lilili · 01-12-2006, 11:32 PM

hi
i have 2 hard drive
hda1 xp
hdd2 linux
right now i have to go thru bios eveytime i want to go to different os and choose the corresponding hd
can i set lilo to boot to linux or windows, so within 30 s if i don't put anything lilo will boot to linux?

Thank you

Bruce Hill · 01-12-2006, 11:42 PM

You'll need to run "liloconfig" as root in a terminal to set this up the first time. Install LiLO to your MBR, and don't worry. I feel that it's going to be pretty self-explanatory, but if you have questions, ask back.

Here's my /etc/lilo.conf for a dual boot Slackware-10.2 / Windoze XP box:

Code:

# LILO configuration file
# generated by 'liloconfig'
#
# Start LILO global section
boot = /dev/sda
#compact        # faster, but won't work on all systems.
prompt
timeout = 50
# VESA framebuffer console @ 1024x768x256
vga = 773
# ramdisk = 0     # paranoia setting
# End LILO global section
# Linux bootable partition config begins
image = /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.15
  root = /dev/sda6 
  label = Slackware
  read-only
image = /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.13.4
  root = /dev/sda6
  label = Slack-2.6.13.4
  read-only
image = /boot/vmlinuz
  root = /dev/sda6
  label = Slack-2.4.31
  read-only # Non-UMSDOS filesystems should be mounted read-only for checking
# Linux bootable partition config ends
# Windows bootable partition config begins
other = /dev/sda1
  label = WinXP
#  map-drive = 0x80
#   to = 0x81
#  map-drive = 0x81
#   to = 0x80
  table = /dev/sda
# Windows bootable partition config ends

You'll need to adjust the devices for yours, and change the timeout from 50 (5 seconds) to 300 (30 seconds). Probably might want to check your framebuffer console settings, also. But you really shouldn't have to edit anything manually, once you run "liloconfig" and reboot, you should be good to go.

lilili · 01-13-2006, 11:26 AM

from your lilo config, i see that you only have 1 hard drive sda with many partitions.
in my case i have 2 hard drives
which one should i put on boot = /dev/hda (xp) or boot = /dev/hdd (linux)

# Windows bootable partition config begins
other = /dev/sda1, in my case this should be my /dev/hda1. is that correct? hda1 is my windows partition

Thank You

Nylex · 01-13-2006, 11:38 AM

You should be able to use "boot = /dev/hda" with no problems and yes, your "other = /dev/hda1" is correct. Also, you'd need to have "table = /dev/hda".

Bruce Hill · 01-13-2006, 12:24 PM

If you run "liloconfig" as I suggested then it will probably set it up just right for you. All you'll have to do is choose the proper Linux / (root) and Windows partitions. Did you run "liloconfig" as root yet?

Poetics · 01-13-2006, 02:56 PM

And make sure to run "lilo" as root after you're done configuring it for your settings to be written.

bosewicht · 01-13-2006, 02:59 PM

and make sure to run lilo if/when you upgrade the kernel(and everytime for that matter), otherwise lilo will be pointing at the wrong vmlinuz

lilili · 01-13-2006, 11:46 PM

Thank you, i have set now

Bruce Hill · 01-14-2006, 02:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lilili

Thank you, i have set now

It would be nice if you posted back what you did to correct the problem, so that if someone else's search finds this thread, they'll be able to read what you did.

lilili · 01-14-2006, 02:31 AM

i follow your step do the liloconf
but i think that install lilo to my hda, is that correct?

so my guess is now i have lilo installed on each hard drive?
can i have just on 1 and uninstall the other one?

Thank You

lilili · 01-14-2006, 02:33 AM

i follow your step do the liloconf
but i think that install lilo to my hda, is that correct?

so my guess is now i have lilo installed on each hard drive?
can i have just on 1 and uninstall the other one?

Thank You

Bruce Hill · 01-14-2006, 02:47 AM

Good. You only have one /etc/lilo.conf file, and that is simply the configuration file on the drive with your Linux operating system. If you chose to install LiLO to the MBR, then it has placed a boot loader into the first sector of your first partition on your first hard drive (/dev/hda). For more information you can read:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Master_Boot_Record
and
http://www.ata-atapi.com/hiwmbr.htm

You don't have two boot loaders, and you don't have two /etc/lilo.conf files. You are okay. If you want to see how "liloconfig" setup /etc/lilo.conf, you can type "cat /etc/lilo.conf" in a terminal (without the quotes) and it will print the contents of the file to stdout (your monitor).