The Linux Bootdisk HOWTO

Tom Fawcett and Graham Chapman

v2.3, 4 April 1997

This document describes how to create Linux boot, boot/root and utility maintenance disks. These disks could be used as rescue disks or to test new kernels. Note: if you haven't read the Linux FAQ and related documents such as the Linux Installation HOWTO and the Linux Install Guide, then you should not be trying to build boot diskettes.

1. Introduction

1.1 Why Build Boot Disks?
1.2 Feedback and Credits
1.3 Change History

2. Disks

2.1 Summary of Disk Types
2.2 Boot
2.3 Root
2.4 Boot/Root
2.5 Utility

3. Components

3.1 File Systems
3.2 Kernel
3.3 Devices
3.4 Directories
3.5 LILO

4. Advanced Bootdisk Creation

4.1 Overview
4.2 Creating a root filesystem
4.3 Calculating the space
4.4 Copying files to the floppy
4.5 Making a two-disk set

5. Troubleshooting

6. Frequently Asked Question (FAQ) List

6.1 Q. I boot from my boot/root disks and nothing happens. What do I do?
6.2 Q. How can I make a boot disk with a XXX driver?
6.3 Q. How do I update my boot floppy with a new kernel?
6.4 Q. How do I remove LILO so that I can use DOS to boot again?
6.5 Q. How can I boot if I've lost my kernel AND my boot disk?
6.6 Q. How can I make extra copies of boot/root diskettes?
6.7 Q. How can I boot without typing in "ahaxxxx=nn,nn,nn" every time?
6.8 Q. How can I create an oversize ramdisk filesystem?
6.9 Q. At boot time, I get error A: cannot execute B. Why?
6.10 Q. My kernel has ramdisk support, but initializes ramdisks of 0K

Appendix

7. Resources and Pointers

7.1 Distribution bootdisks
7.2 LILO - Linux Loader
7.3 Linux FAQ and HOWTOs
7.4 Ramdisk Usage
7.5 Rescue Packages

8. Samples

8.1 Disk Directory Listings
8.2 Shell Scripts to Build Diskettes