Configure lilo for DSL

Forum: HD Install
Topic: Configure lilo for DSL
started by: cyprus

Posted by cyprus on Jan. 17 2006,00:42

I have a laptop that's already dual-booting WinXP and Mandriva Linux. I've set up a fileserver/mp3 jukebox running DSL, but I'd like to install it on the extra partition of this laptop for testing (so I don't hose the server when I screw it up). What should I put in lilo.conf for DSL? I added an entry modeled after the Mandriva entry, but it gives me a kernel panic when I use it.

Code Sample

image=/boot/vmlinuz
label="dsl"
root=/dev/hda6
initrd=/boot/initrd.img

I know the partition is correct, but I have no idea about initrd.

Posted by cyprus on Jan. 17 2006,01:20

Ok, possible explanation. I just read in another thread that DSL may not work on an AMD64 (the laptop has an AMD Athlon64 3400+); is this true? Am I wasting my time completely?

Posted by davea0511 on Jan. 17 2006,20:53

Runs on my AMD 64 just fine.

Posted by cyprus on Jan. 18 2006,05:52

Ok, thanks. I also realized today that the LiveCD of DSL runs fine... on this AMD 64... *slaps forehead*

Do you use Lilo? Could you post your lilo.conf?

Posted by davea0511 on Jan. 18 2006,17:48

I started with lilo.conf, but running the /usr/sbin/frugal_install.sh script (it uses lilo by default). Here's a great howto (that should be at least referenced in the WIKI IMHO): < http://distro.ibiblio.org/pub....pdfdocs >

After installing it I learned that modifying lilo.conf won't change your boot options - you have to rewrite the master boot record. So I then installed grub with /usr/sbin/frugal_grub.sh in the root partition. This is what I used for menu.lst:

kernel /boot/linux24 root=/dev/hda1/ quiet vga=794 noacpi noapm noscsi frugal dma toram mydsl=hda2 restore=hda2 home=hda2 opt=hda2 alsa

note: I added the alsa.dsl extension to enable the alsa, also I have 1280x1024 resolution, thus the vga=794, and with 1Gig ram I use toram.

Posted by muskrat on April 22 2006,03:49

I've noticed that, all these DSL oldtimers suggest we use frugal install. I've read all the pros for it and would like to use it. But like you said, the frugal install script uses lilo and since lilo.conf file is read only how does one change it?

There has to be a way.

Posted by kendall14 on April 22 2006,18:02

If you know how to properly edit the menu.lst to change your boot opions then I would suggest you first copy all info you will need, insert the DSL live disc, reboot, when it comes to the boot opion srceen of dsl live disc (has boot: on the screen) then type install and from there you can install the frugal with grub. Go and then edit the menu.lst to include the others. But don't take my word for whole since I'm still a linux newb and I can't help you with redoing the menu file since I still can't get it right on the one I'm working on.

Posted by muskrat on May 04 2006,06:42

I've tried installing several ways, I have a great HD install of the DSL standard debian install, and I love it. But every time I try frugal it ends with Lilo and doesn't give the option of loading grub.

I really hate Lilo, and love grub on any distro. There have been times when I droped out of an instralation just because I had other distros on the HD and didn't want LiLo over writing my Grub. I Never even got to try the distro because some developer didn't have to forsite to give that option.