HD Install :: Loadlin vs LILO
OKay... So I finally got my old computer to boot DSL but I'm thinking that I want to keep my Windows 98 on it
I've been reading a lot about this loadlin method to creating a dual boot environment but a couple of my questions aren't being answered by the stuff I'm reading
question 1
Linux can be installed to a FAT32 filesystem? I always thought that linux needed that other filesystem that I can't remember the name of right now...
but yea... I always thought that FAT filesystems were a no go with linux because of Microshaft
question number 2... why would I go with loadlin instead of LILO?
on the DSL wiki main page there's only info on how to boot a compressed image frm HD using loadlin
is there a reason there's only info on Loadlin and not LILO?
I'm also having a bugger of a time finding Loadlin...
1
Well in DSL's case, it will create a ramdisk of type ext2, with the mounted data from your fat32 fs.
2
There's entries on LILO, although it's much simpler as all you have to do is run the frugal_lilo.sh script (or click on the menu)
so the only benefit is that it's easier?
I'm a newb @ linux and this is my first DSL install so I really have no clue where I'm going with this... I figure i aught to start somewhere tho
I mean... I've done some stuff @ school with Mandrake linux installs and stuff
got samba share between linux and 98 computers... I even got webmail to work 
but other than that... nothing
I'm not entirely sure what "ramdisk of type ext2" means
I'm pretty sure that doesn't mean it's loading directly into RAM because I don't think I have enough RAM for that to happen.
does it mean that it's making a tiny little temp partition of ext2 on the HD?
lol
I'm sorry I really have no clue
No, everything isn't loaded into ram, only some parts. Most of the system will still be in the KNOPPIX readonly file.
I wouldn't go with loadlin, it would need you booting dos before getting to linux which would slow boot down and also maybe cause conflicts...
You can find loadlin in DSL mirrors, in a floppy image named utils (something) .img
I suppose you'd want to look up the term "mount".
I can see why he would want to use loadlin, if he does not want to repartition his disk drive, or always boot from a livecd/usb.
The main advantage of _not_ using loadlin is that it's a direct native linux boot, as curaga pointed out.
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