The details of selecting the boot image are somewhat complicated. The following tables illustrate them. First, if neither prompt is set nor a shift key is being pressed:
If prompt is not set and a shift key is being pressed:
Finally, if the configuration variable prompt is set:
Note that LILO pauses for the amount of time specified in delay when at the end of a default command line. The automatic boot can then be interrupted by pressing a shifting key.
The default image is the first image in the map file or the image specified with the default variable. However, after an unsuccessful boot attempt, the respective image becomes the default image.