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You don't even have to go for any of that 'aftermarket' stuff.
man lilo (lilo-22.4.1 from Slack 9.0) includes the following:
Code:
-B bitmap-file
Specify a bitmap file for the boot-time graphics
screen.
-E filename.ext
If .ext is .bmp, then take the file to be a bitmap
graphic file for use in the "bitmap=" configuration
file directive. Enter an interactive editor to
create or update the color/placement information in
the bitmap file LILO header.
If .ext is .dat, then take the file to be a config-
uration file which specifies bitmap graphic parame-
ters, which are transferred into the LILO header in
the bitmap file of the same name.
And from man lilo.conf:
Code:
bitmap=<bitmap-file>
Specifies use of a 640x480x16 bitmap file as the
background on which a boot menu is displayed. May
not be used if 'message=' is specified. Requires
that 'install=' specify a boot-loader which is
capable of displaying the bitmap; i.e., boot-bmp.b.
(Version 22.3): Use of this option now implies use
of a bitmap-capable boot loader, unless overridden
with "install=" (see below).
bmp-colors=<fg>,<bg>,<sh>,<hfg>,<hbg>,<hsh>
Specifies the decimal values of the colors to be
used for the menu display on a 'bitmap=' back-
ground. The list consists of 6 entries, 3 for nor-
mal text followed by 3 for highlighted text. The
order of each triple is: foreground color, back-
ground color, shadow color. If background color is
not specified, "transparent" is assumed. If shadow
color is not specified, then "none" is assumed.
The list entries are separated by commas, with no
spaces.
bmp-table=<x>,<y>,<ncol>,<nrow>,<xsep>,<spill>
Specifies the location and layout of the menu
table. <x>,<y> specify the starting x- and y-posi-
tion of the upper left corner of the table in char-
acter coordinates: x in [1..80], y in [1..30].
<ncol> is the number of columns in the menu (1..5);
and <nrow> is the number of rows (entries) in each
column. If more than one column is specified, then
<xsep> is the number of character columns between
the leftmost characters in each column: (18..40),
and <spill> is the number of entries in one column
which must be filled before entries spill into the
next column. <spill> must be .le. <nrow>. If pixel
addressing is used, instead of character address-
ing, then any of <x>, <y>, or <xsep> may be speci-
fied with a 'p' suffix on the decimal value.
bmp-timer=<x>,<y>,<fg>,<bg>,<sh>
Optional specification of the 'timeout=' countdown
timer. <x>,<y> specifies the character (or pixel)
coordinate of the location of the timer the same as
'bmp-table=' above; and the color triple specifes
the character color attributes the same as 'bmp-
colors=' above, with the exception that the back-
ground color must be specified. If used to over-
ride the timer specification in a bitmap file, then
the form 'bmp-timer = none' is acceptable. This
will disable the timer display entirely.
There's also a file called README.bitmaps in /usr/doc/lilo-22.4.1/ with more info.
I just wanted to let you now that this works. I didn't know that lilo was capable of doing this kind of things.
I found that there are ready-to-use images at /usr/doc/lilo-22.5.7.2/sample/. After reading some documentation I followed these 4 steps:
1. I copied /usr/doc/lilo-22.5.7.2/sample/ins64a.bmp to /boot. (I typed the following command as root: cp /usr/doc/lilo-22.5.7.2/sample/ins64a.bmp /boot).
2. Made a bakcup of my /etc/lilo.conf. (Again as root: cp /etc/lilo.conf /etc/lilo.conf.backup). Remember that in case something goes wrong you may boot your machine using a bootable disk or the first Slackware 9.1 cdrom.
3. I edited my /etc/lilo.conf, commented the line starting with "message=" and added the line bitmap = /boot/ins64a.bmp at the next line.
It seems that "message" and "bitmap" fileds can't "live" togheter at the same lilo.conf
4. I typed "lilo" and rebooted my computer.
It works fine but now there are at least two things that could be improved:
1. The background image could be more "fashion" (a Slackware themed one would be great!). I completely suck at drawing so I'll leave this job to some other people...
2. I wonder if there's a way to make the default refresh rate at boot logo be higher than 60Hz. I know that it's not a major problem since the screen would be shown for about 2 secs. but...
P.D.: I know that many linux users refuse to post instructions and they just say "read documentation". Although reading documentation is important I think that giving some easy steps helps making linux a little less frustrating 'cos it may turn a 30 min. reading into a 5 min. solution.
Not any bmp can be used. When reading the documentation it says that it must be a 1024x768x16 bmp (it explains the reasons too).
Also to use a single bmp it must has some info in it's header coming from a .dat file (this .dat file contains the coordenates where timer and options will be placed). The info in this dat file can be merged into a bmp header using a special lilo command (I think it's lilo -E).
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