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Re: [OCLUG-Tech] [OCLUG Tech]: LILO question

Quoting "C.T. Paterson":

> Two questions:
> (1) Is it possible to rig things so that my Windows
> will be content to boot when the drive is in the slave
> position, and LILO is used with my slack drive in the
> master position?  I've tried this and get a black
> screen after LILO does it's thing.

No that is not possible.  Windows insists on being on
the bootable partition on the master drive.

> (2) Is it possible to install LILO in the MBR of the
> win drive (thus win in master position), but leave the
> MBR of the slack drive untouched (so if the win drive
> went away, Linux would boot happily)?

Yes that is the way to go.  Probably the easiest way
to proceed is to get the system set up the way you want
it (ie. Windows on the master, Slack on the slave),
boot with the install/rescue CD (into command mode),
edit your LILO configuration on the slave to give you
the two systems on the boot screen (with your preferred
one as the default) (save your old LILO config file for
when the slave becomes the master again although you
won't need to actually run it then since you already have
it installed on the MBR of the slave), chroot to your
slave drive, run LILO, and reboot without the CD.

> I'm still holding out hope that one day I'll be able
> to dump XP with nothing more complicated than a LILO
> reconfig.

Read the LILO docs for a good explanation of the way
of setting up LILO.  There are also some grub fans here
on the list who may have an easier way of setting up
your system using grub.  I couldn't say as I've never
used it.

HTH,

Jim

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