Infodrom Oldenburg

The Linux Bootdisk HOWTO

Tom Fawcett (`fawcett@croftj.net`)

v3.2, June 1998

This document describes how to design and build your own boot/root diskettes for Linux. These disks could be used as rescue disks or to test new system components. If you haven't read the Linux FAQ and related documents, such as the Linux Installation HOWTO and the Linux Install Guide, you should not be trying to build boot diskettes. If you just want a rescue disk to have for emergencies, see Appendix Pre-made bootdisks .

1. Preface.

1.1 Version notes.

1.2 Feedback and credits.

1.3 Distribution policy.

2. Introduction.

3. Bootdisks and the boot process.

3.1 The boot process.

3.2 Disk types.

4. Building a root filesystem.

4.1 Overview.

4.2 Creating the filesystem.

4.3 Populating the filesystem.

4.4 Modules.

4.5 Some final details.

4.6 Wrapping it up.

5. Choosing a kernel.

6. Putting them together: Making the disk(s).

6.1 Transferring the kernel with LILO LILO/.

6.2 Transferring the kernel without LILO.

6.3 Setting the ramdisk word.

6.4 Transferring the root filesystem.

7. Troubleshooting, or The Agony of Defeat.

8. Miscellaneous topics.

8.1 Reducing root filesystem size.

8.2 Non-ramdisk root filesystems.

8.3 Building a utility disk.

9. How the pros do it.

10. Frequently asked question (FAQ) list.

Appendix

11. Resources and pointers

11.1 Pre-made bootdisks.

11.2 Rescue packages.

11.3 Graham Chapman's shell scripts

11.4 LILO --- the Linux loader.

11.5 Linux FAQ and HOWTOs.

11.6 Ramdisk usage.

11.7 The Linux boot process.

12. LILO boot error codes.

13. Sample rootdisk directory listings.

14. Sample utility disk directory listing.

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Compiled by Joey, 30 Jul 1998