The Linux Bootdisk HOWTO

Tom Fawcett and Graham Chapman

1. Introduction

• 1.1 Why Build Boot Disks?
• 1.2 Feedback and Credits
• 1.3 Change History

2. Disks

• 2.1 Summary of Disk Types
• 2.2 Boot
• 2.3 Root
• 2.4 Boot/Root
• 2.5 Utility

3. Components

• 3.1 File Systems
• 3.2 Kernel
• 3.3 Devices
• 3.4 Directories
• 3.5 LILO

4. Advanced Bootdisk Creation

• 4.1 Overview
• 4.2 Creating a root filesystem
• 4.3 Calculating the space
• 4.4 Copying files to the floppy
• 4.5 Making a two-disk set.

5. Samples

• 5.1 Disk Directory Listings
• 5.2 Shell Scripts to Build Diskettes

6. FAQ

• 6.1 Q. How can I make a boot disk with a XXX driver?
• 6.2 Q. How do I update my boot floppy with a new kernel?
• 6.3 Q. How do I remove LILO so that I can use DOS to boot again?
• 6.4 Q. How can I boot if I've lost my kernel AND my boot disk?
• 6.5 Q. How can I make extra copies of boot/root diskettes?
• 6.6 Q. How can I boot without typing in "ahaxxxx=nn,nn,nn" every time?
• 6.7 Q. How can I create an oversize ramdisk filesystem?
• 6.8 Q. At boot time, I get error A: cannot execute B. Why?

7. References

• 7.1 LILO - Linux Loader
• 7.2 Linux FAQ and HOWTOs
• 7.3 Ramdisk Usage
• 7.4 Rescue Packages
• 7.5 Slackware Distribution