how to create a boot disk outside linux

Ericy · 07-20-2003, 10:37 PM

Hi folks,

I installed redhat 8.0 no boot loader. But the diskette i created during installation has problem now. I can't start linux now. How could I create a boot disk for my system?

Thanks,

Ericy

fancypiper · 07-20-2003, 10:54 PM

It's now time to learn about Rescue Mode.

After booting, either install a bootloader or create 5 or 6 boot floppies as they have a high rate of failure.

The Linux Bootdisk HOWTO

# Redhat links
RedHat Linux Manuals
Get your mp3 support here
Maximum RPM
rpmfind
Easier software management: apt4rpm - Red Carpet
RedHat 8.0 Tips & Tricks

# Redhat 7.3 down configuration commands
setup leads to several configuration tools

# Redhat 7.3 up configuration commands
Configure soundcard:
redhat-config-soundcard
Configure X server:
redhat-config-xfree86
Configure network:
redhat-config-network
Manage software:
redhat-config-packages

# Handling NTFS
New Technology FileSystem (NTFS) HOWTOs
Linux NTFS project

Ericy · 07-22-2003, 09:19 PM

Thanks, fancypiper

You gave a great post. I finally find the way the recreate my boot diskette with linux rescue mode. But it makes things a little more complicated because I have a USB floppy drive.

Still the linux makes me confused. Actually my boot diskette has no problem during the creation. But how come it just doesn't boot the linux? All it shows on screen is "boot fail".

fancypiper · 07-22-2003, 10:52 PM

Why make it hard? Why go a usb floppy when an internal is 7 bucks? Why not use grub or lilo?

I guess it's time for you to join a Red Hat mailing list or do a lot of searching on Red Hat/Google....

Ericy · 07-22-2003, 11:32 PM

well, it is laptop, so only USB now.

now i narraow the problem to the format of the diskette. I can read the diskette and see the correct files in linux after creating it. But when I access the diskette in windows, all file names are strange stuff. So, maybe computer just can't read it to boot...

Weird. I add in etc/fstab the line
/dev/sda /mnt/floppy vfat noauto,user 0 0

then run
mkbootdisk --device /dev/sda 2.4.18-14

Why this works with another linux box with an ordinary floppy?

quip · 07-23-2003, 07:29 AM

Quote:

then run
mkbootdisk --device /dev/sda 2.4.18-14

I always use dd when I make my boot disks.

Ericy · 07-23-2003, 02:59 PM

HI quip,

Could u tell me how to run the command dd in this case? There is no boot image file exist for my system (not the one standard installation boot image).