Lilo on floppy

[breakingbryan]

During installation it would not let me write to the floppy to put Lilo on it. Is there a way to get it so that I can put it on a floppy other than through the installation program so I can boot VL 5.8 from a floppy disk?

BBJ

[lagagnon]

Get yourself a clean freshly formatted floppy and then run VASM, SUPER, FILESYSTEM, LILO FLOPPY.

[breakingbryan]

When I try this through VASM, it gives me "Lilo install error #1". And goes on to explain that it would be a fatal error and would destroy filesystems.

[nightflier]

I suspect the kernel is too big to fit on a single floppy. One workaround is to install LILO to the partition instead of MBR, then use Smart Boot Manager: http://btmgr.sourceforge.net on a floppy to boot the system.

[GrannyGeek]

I suspect the kernel is too big to fit on a single floppy. One workaround is to install LILO to the partition instead of MBR, then use Smart Boot Manager: http://btmgr.sourceforge.net on a floppy to boot the system.

The kernel doesn't go on a LILO boot floppy. I used to use LILO floppies all the time on my older desktop (my only computer that still has a floppy drive). This included various Vectors all the way to VL 5.8 Standard.

Frequently I couldn't make a LILO floppy during the installation of VectorLinux. I would use the installation CD to boot and then I could run LILO successfully to create a LILO floppy.

Once I had to format a floppy under Linux. Once I did that I was able to install LILO to the floppy through VASM.
--GrannyGeek

[exeterdad]

I'm using lilo on a floppy with my Mother in laws computer.  She's got windows on one partition and I've got VL on another.  I avoided installing lilo to the MBR because I didn't want her to see any trace of Linux when the floppy was out and she wanted to boot up to her windows.  She's easily confused.

Anyhow lilo to floppy works great as long as your floppy is in good shape and formatted.  All my floppies are probably 10 years old since I bought a case of them and have them left over.  Sometimes they are bad.  So try another floppy if lilo won't install.

[lagagnon]

... avoided installing lilo to the MBR because I didn't want her to see any trace of Linux when the floppy was out and she wanted to boot up to her windows.  She's easily confused.

There is a way around that. vliloconf will definetely pick up the windows partition. If you then edit /etc/lilo.conf and change the default boot to the windows partiton and the timeout to 1 second she won't notice any changes as the lilo boot loader screen will not be shown, The Linux user then simply enters a keystroke (such as the down arrow) while its booting and the lilo boot screen will stall awaiting input.

[rbistolfi]

I have that trouble sometimes, usually I change the floppy to another one, and that is all. I dont know why sometimes do work and sometimes dont. Lilo guys should have the answer. I always suposed floppys are too fragile, and lilo needs a clean new one (who has one? all mines have like ten years), but I dont know.

[exeterdad]

... avoided installing lilo to the MBR because I didn't want her to see any trace of Linux when the floppy was out and she wanted to boot up to her windows.  She's easily confused.

There is a way around that. vliloconf will definetely pick up the windows partition. If you then edit /etc/lilo.conf and change the default boot to the windows partiton and the timeout to 1 second she won't notice any changes as the lilo boot loader screen will not be shown, The Linux user then simply enters a keystroke (such as the down arrow) while its booting and the lilo boot screen will stall awaiting input.

That's a great tip!  Thanks!