triple boot

Forum: DSL Embedded
Topic: triple boot
started by: roberts

Posted by roberts on Dec. 23 2004,02:46

< tripleboot.zip > for USB pendrives Is now ready in the download section. This is thanks to Massimo Dal Zotto, aka dizzy. Althought this is not exactly his implementation. I have set it up to work as our current model, i.e., it is not persistent. It uses a 60MB pseduo harddrive shared between all boots and a single dsl.iso. Use the standard backup/restore with filetool.lst. Total size unzipped is 122MB ideal for 128MB pendrives.

So, you can boot:
1. From BIOS via Syslinux
2. From within Windows via Qemu's Virtual Machine
3. From within Linux via Qemu's Virtual Machine

Posted by rbarbera on Dec. 23 2004,10:28

I've copied all the files in tripleboot.zip over a USB Drive that previously can boot from BIOS to DSL. After that, the windows-qemu version runs fine, but when I try to boot from BIOS y get only a debian copiright notice, the boot screen with the logo corrupted and when I press RETURN to standard boot, I get a silent frailure and reboot.

How should I install this tripleboot files?

I'm running all this on a Xtick 2.0 USB Dirve on a Dell Inspiron 8500 laptop.

Posted by roberts on Dec. 23 2004,16:26

From your post, I cannot determine if you have run DSL natively without problems and your issue is now a video issue, or if you are having a booting up issue.

With Qemu you are running on a virtual machine. That virtual machine has simple standards that work well with DSL.

Running DSL directly on a DELL usually has video challenges.
You will have to search the forums for proper Dell boot parameters that will work with your video hardware.

If a booting problem, try not to overwrite the ldlinux.sys from a previous booting syslinux pendrive.

Posted by rbarbera on Dec. 23 2004,17:29

Sorry for the imprecission of my previous message ;). English is not my natural language... I'll try to be more clear

Yesterday I was able to boot from the USB Drive perfectly on the DELL computer.

Today, I have seen this message and I have downloaded your tripleboot.zip file. Then after erasing my previous files, I have copied your files (uncompressed of course). After that I get boot errors. I must reinstall the DSL system on the USB using frugal_install.sh again from a DSL booted from CD.

Is more clear now? Is this the correct procedure to install your files?

Thank you,
Rafa

Posted by roberts on Dec. 23 2004,18:43

Lets try this approach. What works on three test computers.

First download the zip file.

From an exsising booting usb pendrive that was created with the "Install to USB Pendrive script", i.e., boot with USB-ZIP and USB-KEYBOARD selected in the BIOS.

1. unzip the files onto the pendrive
2. reboot - works.

For a pendrive that is not currently using syslinux to boot:
1. format pendrive using FAT option in windows
2. apply syslinux to the drive ( syslinux.exe -s e: )
3. unzip the files onto the pendrive - do not overwrite the ldlinux.sys
4. reboot - works.

As noted in the readme.txt file, Dell and HP computers may need different formating utilities to boot with their various BIOS options. I do not own a Dell or HP, so can be little help with those machines.

Posted by cbagger01 on Dec. 24 2004,03:51

Excellent Job!

I make a guess that something like this will not exist for weeks and it appears the next day.

Is it possible to create a "tripe boot" boot floppy?

This will allow booting from USB drive on computers that do not support USB booting in BIOS.

Posted by jstueve on Dec. 24 2004,05:51

I followed your instruction roberts on my Dell 600m, and a Dell 128MB USB key.

Formatted using the cmd prompt:

Code Sample

format /fs:fat f:

and then syslinux:

Code Sample

syslinux.exe -s f:

then copied the files, and rebooted.
Boot from USB (F12 at the first startup screen for a onetime boot, or change the BIOS options to boot from USB first.

Booting from USB and embedded under WinXP both worked.

Now if I can figure out how to get the onboard Intel PRO Wireless 2200BG working, I'll be happy.

Posted by rbarbera on Dec. 24 2004,08:12

Quote (roberts @ Dec. 23 2004,13:43)

From an exsising booting usb pendrive that was created with the "Install to USB Pendrive script", i.e., boot with USB-ZIP and USB-KEYBOARD selected in the BIOS.

1. unzip the files onto the pendrive
2. reboot - works.

This was the method that yesterday did't work. Today I have repeated it over two diferent USB drives and in the two works flawesly!. I did't know what I screew yesterday...

Thank you very much for this!!

Saludos,
Rafa

Posted by tawalker on Dec. 26 2004,22:04

This looks like what I've been waiting for - dizzy/roberts, many thanks for your hard work!

I'm going to try installing this new system to my Mini Cruzer over the next day or two while I still have a few spare moments

Just wondering: are there any Linux (bash shell) equivalents to the DOS bootable system format commands above. or will I have to wheel out the WinME laptop...?

Many thanks!

Tim

Posted by roberts on Dec. 26 2004,22:21

Quote

Just wondering: are there any Linux (bash shell) equivalents to the DOS bootable system format commands

If you are comfortable with Linux bash commands, the mtools for formatting and syslinux is included in the orginial "Install to USB Pendrive" script < here >

Posted by roberts on Dec. 26 2004,22:30

Just a note that I am re-working the pendrive code for better integration with DSL.
Meaning a boot floppy as well as the standard DSL liveCD will be able to work with Qemu and recognize and support Qemu's pseudo hard drive.

Posted by tawalker on Dec. 27 2004,09:34

roberts: Thanks for the head-up on the install script. I'm about to try booting from the pen drive, though I may need to experiment with my BIOS settings before I get any results.

Thanks again for your help! - Tim

Posted by durbnpoisn on Dec. 27 2004,15:30

Quote (roberts @ Dec. 26 2004,17:30)

Man, that would be excellent!!

I have an odd situation...
I have a 500mhz laptop with limitted drive space. I would really like to see how DSL runs on it. Running it in a WinShell is a complete waste of time.

I was experimenting with floppy-boot/mount hda1, and run the embedded version that way. It didn't occur to me that that's not how that version was intended to run.

Will this fancy idea of yours help me out in that area?

EDIT: btw, this machine has NO CDROM drive. This is why I am trying to figure out another way to do this. It has a USB, but it can't be booted from. My only option is a floppy boot.

Posted by roberts on Dec. 27 2004,16:23

durbnpoisn, I know that will not be happy running Qemu on a 500Mhz machine.
The current version of "Install to Pendrive" and the bootusb-0.8.img should allow you to run DSL natively. Of course, you will have to do the installation to the pendrive on another machine. Then try the current stuff, boot floppy and DSL without Qemu. Later, when I am finished, you could have the triple boot on the pendrive and then use Qemu stuff when you encounter faster machines.

Posted by durbnpoisn on Dec. 27 2004,16:28

Yeah, that's what I'm hoping to do. Use the pendrive to hold DSL, boot off the floppy then USB. I guess it's just a matter of whether or not my laptop will allow that...

In the meantime, I'm using the Qemu app on a couple of faster machines, and, though it lags a bit, it works just great!

Question: If I customize the thing, which I am doing now... I don't want to lose all the changes I'm making when I move it over to a USB stick. Is there one file I can copy over from the Embedded version that will recover my settings?

Quote

Of course, you will have to do the installation to the pendrive on another machine.

I assume by this you mean, I will have to use a Linux machine to move the boot image to the USB, right? That's not a problem... That's how I made the boot floppy. I'd imagine it's the same process...