Multiboot help

Forum: HD Install
Topic: Multiboot help
started by: imok

Posted by imok on Oct. 01 2006,20:14

I am sure this is a common situation. I want to install DSL on some new partition(s) on hda. I assume all I need at minimum is the SWP and an EXT3 partition.

Currently I have Windows and Suse 10.1 installed and I use grub for the multiboot. I am looking for suggestions on how to install DSL on additional partitions (which I will make with a partition manager by shrinking on of the others before hand) and how to add it into the current Grub setup.

This is my setup now:

Code Sample

# Modified by YaST2. Last modification on Sat Aug 19 18:14:29 UTC 2006

color white/blue black/light-gray
default 0
timeout 8
gfxmenu (hd0,5)/message

###Don't change this comment - YaST2 identifier: Original name: linux###
title SUSE Linux 10.1
root (hd0,5)
kernel /vmlinuz root=/dev/hda8 vga=0x314 resume=/dev/hda5 splash=silent showopts
initrd /initrd

###Don't change this comment - YaST2 identifier: Original name: windows###
title Windows
chainloader (hd0,0)+1

###Don't change this comment - YaST2 identifier: Original name: failsafe###
title Failsafe -- SUSE Linux 10.1
root (hd0,5)
kernel /vmlinuz root=/dev/hda8 vga=normal showopts ide=nodma apm=off acpi=off noresume nosmp noapic maxcpus=0 edd=off 3
initrd /initrd

This is my partition table:

Code Sample

Disk /dev/hda: 100.0 GB, 100030242816 bytes
255 heads, 63 sectors/track, 12161 cylinders
Units = cylinders of 16065 * 512 = 8225280 bytes

Device Boot Start End Blocks Id System
/dev/hda1 * 1 9562 76806733+ 7 HPFS/NTFS
/dev/hda2 9563 12161 20876467+ f W95 Ext'd (LBA)
/dev/hda5 9563 9824 2104483+ 82 Linux swap / Solaris
/dev/hda6 9825 9955 1052226 83 Linux
/dev/hda7 9956 10086 1052226 c W95 FAT32 (LBA)
/dev/hda8 10087 12161 16667406 83 Linux

Thanks

Posted by ^thehatsrule^ on Oct. 01 2006,20:49

Here are some examples, depending on how you install DSL:
< http://damnsmalllinux.org/wiki/index.php/Installing_Grub >

DSL doesn't support ext3, but it's backwards compatible with ext2.

For frugals: Putting aside a partition requires at least 50mb, but that depends if you're gonna use extensions (enlarge that partition or create another or even have it co-exist on the same partition with another o/s)

Posted by mikshaw on Oct. 01 2006,21:15

You can use your existing Grub with DSL.
DSL mounts ext3 as ext2.

I've been using Suse's Grub to boot DSL for quite a while, and it works fine.
I've got DSL on hda4, and this is my main DSL entry:

Code Sample

title Damn Small Linux 3.0.1
kernel (hd0,3)/boot/isolinux-3.0/linux24 root=/dev/hda4 knoppix_name=KNOPPIX-3.0 dsl host=bungle home=hda3 mydsl=hda3/home/dsl/mydsl norestore vga=794 syslog dma
initrd (hd0,3)/boot/isolinux-3.0/minirt24.gz

hda3 is where Suse and Grub are installed, as well as my persistent home.
"knoppix_name" and the "-3.0" isolinux suffix are in there only because I have multiple copies of DSL on my machine...you can omit them.

Posted by imok on Oct. 02 2006,01:04

Quote (mikshaw @ Oct. 01 2006,17:15)

You can use your existing Grub with DSL.
DSL mounts ext3 as ext2.

I've been using Suse's Grub to boot DSL for quite a while, and it works fine.
I've got DSL on hda4, and this is my main DSL entry:

Code Sample

Does DSL allow you to install from ISO without overwriting the bootloader already on the HD?

Also, does it use the same SWP partition as Suse's or do I need to make a seperate one?

Thanks,

Posted by ^thehatsrule^ on Oct. 02 2006,04:10

I think most of the install scripts prompt you for a bootloader... , or you could install it manually.

I'm pretty sure the swap partition is universal, you can check with a livecd if you really want to check beforehand.

Posted by mikshaw on Oct. 02 2006,04:45

yes, the swap is universal.
I'm not sure about the scripts...i've never used them.