method to retrieve missing "Linux" option on tetra boot machine
 

hi!
i have installed four Operating systems (MS 98, 2000P, XP)+LINUX. Now, the problem is that my LINUX option is missing in the boot menu. I have checked the "boot.ini",even there LINUX option is not present.

IS THERE ANY LIMITATION ON THE NUMBER OF OPTIONS FOR BOOT MENU
AND
WHAT I CAN DO TO RETRIEVE LOST OPTION OF "LINUX" IN BOOT MENU ????
Linux is consuming disk space, but not showing up.

thanks.

i don't think linux will install a boot-option in the windows boot.ini by itself.
guess you have to add it by hand., or use lilo, a linux boot-loader.
what distro of linux are you using ?
and do you want to use the win-bootloader ?

btw. don't use the BIG char's, looks like you're shouting :)

egag

You will not find any reference to Linux in any of the Windows bootloader files because the Windows bootloader does not recognise any OS other than Windows.

You need to create a boot floppy from linux, or install GRUB or LILO to your MBR. The second option will overwrite the Windows bootloader, but both GRUB and LILO will recognise and let you boot into your Windows installations.

Suggest you use the distro install disks to create a boot floppy, or use a liveCD such as Knoppix to install GRUB or LILO.

If you Google for "NTLDR Lilo boot howto" you will get back many how-to's on how to use window XP's NTLDR.exe to boot into linux. It involves using either the root partition or, if you have linux on a separate hard drive, the boot partition of the linux disk. Then copying the first 240 bytes of the linux or grub boot loader to a file (on floppy) using the dd command, copying the file to the C:\ drive, and finally adding an entry to the C:\boot.ini file.
(Note: The NTLDR is used for Win2000, NT & XP)

This all sounds more complicated than it is. There also are several messages on this site detailing the procedure, so please use the search function.

Or you could use Lilo or Grub to boot into the Various windows OSes.

Good Luck!

well... i think using the NTLDR is the nicest option , then you've got only one menu with 4 options.
if you use lilo you'll get the lilo menu first ( options : linux & windows )
after selecting windows you get the NTLDR menu to choose from the 3 win's.

and setting it up is not all that difficult.

egag