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Old 02-19-2004, 01:10 PM   #1
JROCK1980
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Can lilo go gui


I want to make lilo look more fancier. Is there a way to slap a gui on it or maybe a picture or something?
 
Old 02-19-2004, 01:23 PM   #2
Tinkster
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Considering the fact that there's this project
(have a search on http://freshmeat.net for Lilo)
http://www.13thfloor.at/old/Software/lilo-splash/
I'd assume there is ...


Cheers,
Tink
 
Old 02-20-2004, 02:39 AM   #3
Cerbere
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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.

Enjoy!
--- Cerbere
 
Old 02-20-2004, 09:08 AM   #4
snop
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It works (and a really small how-to)

Hi,

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...
 
Old 02-20-2004, 10:02 AM   #5
Melkor
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Thanks for posting your procedure on that. I might just have to try it now.


I love this place.
 
Old 02-20-2004, 11:04 AM   #6
pbhj
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finally someone who realises the value of posting back when it works!!

thankyou
 
Old 02-20-2004, 12:46 PM   #7
ajmoraal
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See this thread for a Slackware bitmap:
http://linuxquestions.org/questions/history/124709
 
Old 02-20-2004, 07:31 PM   #8
snop
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You're welcome.

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.

SnOp
 
Old 02-21-2004, 03:29 AM   #9
JROCK1980
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I have tried it and it works. Thanks man
 
Old 02-21-2004, 12:02 PM   #10
JROCK1980
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Ok can it be any .bmp file
 
Old 02-21-2004, 02:19 PM   #11
snop
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Hi,

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).

Bye.

SnOp
 
Old 02-21-2004, 09:33 PM   #12
JROCK1980
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Is there a website that explains in detail about lilo -e
 
Old 02-22-2004, 09:11 AM   #13
snop
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Hi,

I guess this was a question. As cerbere says the lilo standard package that comes with Slack. leaves the documentation at /usr/doc/lilo-22.5.7.2

You'll find all you need there (specialy at README.bitmaps).

Bye

SnOp
 
  


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