mirror of https://github.com/tLDP/LDP
423 lines
13 KiB
Plaintext
423 lines
13 KiB
Plaintext
<!doctype linuxdoc system>
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<ARTICLE>
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<TITLE>The Loadlin+Win95/98/ME mini-HOWTO
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<AUTHOR>Authored by: Chris Fischer, <HTMLURL
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URL="mailto:protek@firstlinux.net" NAME="protek@firstlinux.net">
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<DATE>v1.5.2, 21 Feb 2001
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<ABSTRACT>This document describes how to use Loadlin with Windows 95/98/ME to
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boot to Linux.</ABSTRACT>
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<TOC>
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<SECT>Introduction
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<P>
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This document describes a simple three step procedure for using Loadlin
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to dual boot between Linux and Windows 95/98/ME. If you prefer to use
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the LILO boot manager, please consult the <HTMLURL
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URL="http://metalab.unc.edu/LDP/HOWTO/mini/Linux+Win95.html"
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NAME="Linux+Win95 Mini-HOWTO">.
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<P>
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This version of this mini-HOWTO has been completely rewritten with
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major differences from the previous version (1.4.6). The following
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highlight the major differences:
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<ITEMIZE>
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<ITEM>
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Name change. The Loadlin+Win95/98/ME mini-HOWTO was formerly known as "The
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Loadlin+Win95 mini-HOWTO. The change was made to more accurately
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reflect the topic covered herein.</ITEM></ITEMIZE>
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<ITEMIZE>
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<ITEM>
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The focus has changed from Win95 to Win98, and as a result this
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mini-HOWTO is simpler and easier to follow. Microsoft made some changes
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in the way Windows boots in Win98, which has made most of the dual boot
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methods for Win95 incompatable with Win98. If you still wish to see the
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Win95 specific mini-HOWTO you can view it
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<HTMLURL URL="http://www.eskimo.com/~praxis/" NAME="here."> </ITEM>
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</ITEMIZE>
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<ITEMIZE>
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<ITEM>
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Change in copyright status from version 1.4.6</ITEM></ITEMIZE>
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<SECT1>Copyright
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<P>
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Copyright (c) 1997-2001 Protek Computer Solutions. Permission is
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granted to copy, distribute and/or modify this document under the terms
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of the <HTMLURL URL="http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html#SEC1"
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NAME="GNU Free Documentation License">, Version 1.1 or any later
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version published by the Free Software Foundation; with the
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Invariant Sections being only "The Loadlin+Win95/98/ME mini-HOWTO".
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<SECT1>New Versions Of This Document
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<P>
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This mini-HOWTO is posted first at <URL
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URL="http://www.eskimo.com/~praxis" NAME="The Linux+Windows 95
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Reference Page">, so check there to make sure you have the most recent
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revision of this mini-HOWTO.
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<SECT1>Feedback
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<P>
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Questions, comments, and suggestions are welcome. I am always looking
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for ways to improve and expand this mini-HOWTO. I rely heavily on
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feedback to make improvements, and will do my best to be prompt
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with a helpful response. I can be reached at <HTMLURL
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URL="mailto:protek@firstlinux.net" NAME="protek@firstlinux.net">.
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<SECT1>Disclaimer
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<P>
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Every attempt has been made to ensure that the information presented
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in this mini-HOWTO is safe and accurate. However, this information
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is given without any warranty, either expressed or implied, as to its
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suitability for a particular use. It is generally considered a
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GoodThing(TM) to make backups of your system files before changing
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system configurations and/or files. I suggest you take this precaution
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"just in case".
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<SECT>About Loadlin
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<P>
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<SECT1>What is Loadlin?
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<P>
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Loadlin is a simple DOS based utility that loads the Linux kernel into
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memory from DOS. Loadlin was written by <URL
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URL="http://elserv.ffm.fgan.de/~lermen/" NAME="Hans Lermen">. See the
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<URL URL="http://elserv.ffm.fgan.de/~lermen/manual.txt"
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NAME="Loadlin-1.6 User's Guide"> for further details about Loadlin's
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features and how to use Loadlin.
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<SECT>IMPORTANT: Preliminary Information and Setup
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<P>
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<SECT1>Windows ME Users
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<P>
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Before your read any further, I should mention that this mini-howto
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has some limitations with Windows ME. Based on feedback from Windows ME
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users, the menuing system described in the next section will
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only work from a Windows boot floppy instead of from the hard drive.
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Thanks to Olivier Guichard for pointing me to the relevant <URL
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URL="http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/Q274/6/46.ASP"
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NAME="Microsoft article">.
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<P>
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Note that only the <TT>config.sys</TT> and <TT>autoexec.bat</TT> files
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need to be on the floppy disk. All other files mentioned may reside on
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the hard drive.
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<P>
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If booting from a floppy is not an option for you, then please see the
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<REF ID="FAQ" NAME="FAQ"> section for alternatives to LILO and Loadlin.
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<P>
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Any Windows ME users who can find a better way than using a floppy,
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please <HTMLURL
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URL="mailto:protek@firstlinux.net" NAME="let me know"> your solution
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so I can include it in this mini-howto.
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<SECT1>Things that are assumed:
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<P>
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<ITEMIZE>
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<ITEM>You have successfully installed Windows 95/98/ME.
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<ITEM>Windows 95/98/ME is installed on Drive C.
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<ITEM>You have successfully installed Linux.
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<ITEM>You know what partition Linux is installed on.
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<ITEM>LILO is NOT installed on your hard drive.
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</ITEMIZE>
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<SECT1>Items you need before you start:
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<P>
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<ITEMIZE>
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<ITEM>The Loadlin.exe program file
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<ITEM>Your kernel image file, usually bzImage or vmlinuz. (See the <REF
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ID="FAQ" NAME="FAQ"> for info).
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</ITEMIZE>
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<SECT>Getting started:
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<P>
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<SECT1>
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Step One:
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<P>
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Edit (or create) <TT>config.sys</TT> on the root of Drive C. The contents should
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be similar to the following:
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<TSCREEN><CODE>
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[menu]
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menuitem=Linux, Mandrake Linux 7.2
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menuitem=Win98, Windows 98
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menucolor=15,1
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menudefault=Win98, 10
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[linux]
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[win98]
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</CODE></TSCREEN>
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If your system already has a <TT>config.sys</TT> file, put those contents under
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the <TT>[win98]</TT> section. The <TT>[linux]</TT> section is left blank
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intentionally.
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<SECT1>
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Step Two:
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<P>
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Edit (or create) <TT>autoexec.bat</TT> on the root of Drive C. The contents
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should be similar to the following:
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<TSCREEN><CODE>
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goto %config%
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:linux
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call c:\linux.bat
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:win98
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</CODE></TSCREEN>
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As above, if you aready have an <TT>autoexec.bat</TT> file, put those contents
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under the <TT>:win98</TT> section.
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<SECT1>
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Step Three:
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<P>
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Create a file called: <TT>linux.bat</TT>. Putting it in the root of
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Drive C is as good as place as any (but it can go anywhere so long
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as you reference the path or location). The contents should be
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similar to the following:
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<TSCREEN>
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<CODE>
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@echo off
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c:\loadlin c:\vmlinuz root=/dev/hda3 ro
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</CODE></TSCREEN>
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The above example assumes that <TT>loadlin.exe</TT> and <TT>vmlinuz</TT> are
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located in the root of Drive C (or C:\) and that linux is installed on the
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/dev/hda3 partition. Your configuration may be different.
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<P>
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The important thing here is to make sure that loadlin and your linux
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kernel file are properly referenced. Finished!
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<P>
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That should work for you, as that is how I have things set up on my
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system, which dual boots with Win98.
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<SECT>Frequently Asked Questions:<LABEL ID="FAQ">
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<P>
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<SECT1>Where can I find more information on using Loadlin?<LABEL ID="Section 4.1">
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<p>
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<ITEMIZE>
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<ITEM>Loadlin can be found on your favorite distibution's installation
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CD. Just do a search for 'loadlin'.</ITEMIZE>
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<ITEMIZE>
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<ITEM>The Loadlin-1.6 User's Guide is available for download at:
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</ITEMIZE>
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<TSCREEN>
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<URL URL="http://elserv.ffm.fgan.de/~lermen/manual.txt"
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NAME="http://elserv.ffm.fgan.de/~lermen/manual.txt">
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</TSCREEN>
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<P> or
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<TSCREEN>
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<HTMLURL URL="ftp://ftp.eskimo.com/u/p/praxis/manual.txt"
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NAME="ftp://ftp.eskimo.com/u/p/praxis/manual.txt">
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</TSCREEN>
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<ITEMIZE>
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<ITEM>You might also try visiting the <URL
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URL="http://elserv.ffm.fgan.de/~lermen/" NAME="Loadlin Home Page">
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</ITEMIZE>
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<ITEMIZE>
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<ITEM>Additional information is available at:
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</ITEMIZE>
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<TSCREEN>
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<HTMLURL
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URL="http://metalab.unc.edu/LDP/HOWTO/BootPrompt-HOWTO-2.html#ss2.2"
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NAME="http://metalab.unc.edu/LDP/HOWTO/BootPrompt-HOWTO-2.html#ss2.2">
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</TSCREEN>
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<SECT1>I am not sure what partition Linux is installed on. How do I find out?
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<P>
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<ITEMIZE>
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<ITEM>At a Linux shell prompt, run the <TT/df/ utility. If you see a
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line with <TT>/boot</TT>, then it will be quite obvious. If you do not
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see a line with <TT>/boot</TT>, then look on the line with a single
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"<TT>/</TT>".
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</ITEMIZE>
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<SECT1>Where do I find the kernel image file and how do I copy it to my MS-DOS
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partition?
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<P>
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<ITEMIZE>
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<ITEM>The kernel image file is usually called <TT>vmlinuz</TT> and
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should be located in the '/boot' directory. Often <TT>vmlinuz</TT> is a
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symbolic link to the actual kernel. If all else fails type:
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<TSCREEN>
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<CODE>
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find / -name vmlinuz*</CODE>
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</TSCREEN>
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at a Linux shell prompt. This will search all Linux partitions for the
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vmlinuz file. If you have multiple vmlinuz files, then make sure you
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use the correct one. If you are not sure, then the safest bet would be
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to use the most recent one.
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<P>
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To copy your linux kernel file to your DOS partition, you need to make
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your DOS partition visible to Linux, then mount the partition if it is
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not already. Generally, this should have been set up when you installed
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Linux. All you need to do next is change to the directory the vmlinuz
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file is in and copy it over to DOS using the cp command.
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<P>
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However, if Linux was not set up to recognize your DOS partition, then
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copy vmlinuz to a floppy. Take any DOS formatted floppy (with enough
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disk space to hold your kernel image file) and insert it into your
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floppy drive. Type:
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<TSCREEN>
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<CODE>
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mount /dev/fd0 /mnt/floppy</CODE>
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</TSCREEN>
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at a Linux shell prompt. Then change to the directory your kernel image
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file is in and type:
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<TSCREEN>
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<CODE>
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cp vmlinuz /mnt/floppy</CODE>
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</TSCREEN>
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This will copy vmlinuz to your floppy disk and it will be readable by
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DOS. Shutdown Linux, boot to DOS, then copy vmlinuz to whichever
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directory you choose. If you recompile your kernel, do not forget to
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copy the new kernel image file to your DOS partition. This will
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overwrite your old file, so it might be a good idea to rename the old
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file first just in case the new one does not work properly.
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<P>
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Alternatively, if you have the <TT>mtools</TT> utilities you could
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type:
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<P>
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<TSCREEN>
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<CODE>
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mcopy vmlinuz a:</CODE>
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</TSCREEN>
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<P>
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</ITEMIZE>
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<SECT1>Does it matter if I install Linux or Windows 95/98/ME first?
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<P>
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<ITEMIZE>
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<ITEM>Technically no. However, it would be <em>much</em> simpler to
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install Windows first. That way it is easier to setup Linux to recognize
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your DOS partition(s) as you can usually do this during the Linux
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installation.
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</ITEMIZE>
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<SECT1>I currently have LILO installed, but I want to use Loadlin instead. How
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do I remove LILO?
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<P>
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<ITEMIZE>
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<ITEM>You will need to restore the Win95 MBR (Master Boot Record) that
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LILO overwrote when you installed LILO. At a DOS prompt type: </ITEMIZE>
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<TSCREEN>
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<CODE>
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fdisk /mbr</CODE>
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</TSCREEN>
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<SECT1>What if I already dual boot between Windows 95 and Windows 3.x, and I
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want to boot to Linux using this method?
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<P>
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<ITEMIZE>
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<ITEM>Frankly, if you want to do this I would recommend using LILO. However,
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if you really do not want to use LILO, you will have to boot to Win 3.x
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first, then issue the Loadlin command. (Make sure Windows 3.x is NOT
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running, but that you are in DOS 5.0 or 6.x).
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</ITEMIZE>
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<SECT1>Is it possible to initiate Linux from the Windows 95/98/ME desktop?
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<P>
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<ITEMIZE>
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<ITEM>Yes. First, create a batch file called "linux.bat", for example.
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Edit the file to contain a Loadlin command such as:</ITEMIZE>
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<TSCREEN>
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<CODE>
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loadlin f:\vmlinuz root=/dev/hdc2 ro</CODE>
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</TSCREEN>
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Now save the file on your Windows desktop. Next, right click on the
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Linux.bat icon, then left click on Properties. Now click on the Program
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tab, then click on the Advanced button. Click on the box next to
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"MS-DOS mode" and make sure the box next to "Warn before entering
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MS-DOS mode is checked". Click OK, then click on OK again. Now when you
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double click on the Linux icon, a warning box will appear before going
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into MS-DOS mode. If you click on "Yes" then Windows enters MS-DOS mode
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and executes the Linux.bat file.
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<P>
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<BF/NOTE:/ You must be in MS-DOS mode in order to use Loadlin. Please
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see the manual.txt file mentioned in <REF ID="Section 4.1"
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NAME="Section 4.1"> of this <REF ID="FAQ" NAME="FAQ"> for more
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information.
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<SECT1>Where can I get a plain text version of this document?
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<P>
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<ITEMIZE>
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<ITEM>You can get a plain text version of this document at:
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<TSCREEN>
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<HTMLURL URL="ftp://ftp.eskimo.com/u/p/praxis/loadlin.txt"
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NAME="ftp://ftp.eskimo.com/u/p/praxis/loadlin.txt">
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</TSCREEN>
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</ITEMIZE>
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<SECT1>Is Loadlin the only alternative to LILO?
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<P>
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<ITEMIZE>
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<ITEM>No. There are other utilities you could use for dual booting:
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<TSCREEN>
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<HTMLURL URL="http://www.gnu.org/software/grub/grub.html"
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NAME="GRUB">: The GNU GRand Unified Bootloader
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</TSCREEN>
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<TSCREEN>
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<HTMLURL URL="http://www.xosl.org/"
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NAME="XOSL">: Extended Operating System Loader
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</TSCREEN>
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<TSCREEN>
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<HTMLURL URL="http://freshmeat.net/search/?q=boot+loader"
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NAME="Other Bootloaders and Related Links">
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</TSCREEN>
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</ITEMIZE>
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<SECT>Internationalization
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<P>
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Currently there is an <URL
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URL="http://www.eskimo.com/~praxis/Loadlin+Win95-98-ME-Italian.html"
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NAME="Italian translation"> of version 1.5.0 of this mini-HOWTO,
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translated by <HTMLURL URL="mailto:mmartiradonna@madeinlinux.com"
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NAME="Michele Martiradonna">.
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<P>
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Any effort to translate this mini-HOWTO into other
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languages will be greatly appreciated. If you are interested in taking
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on such a task, please e-mail me at: <HTMLURL
|
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URL="mailto:protek@firstlinux.net" NAME="protek@firstlinux.net">.
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</ARTICLE>
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