Simple LILO question

[samsonx]

I have a question about LILO.

I currently use my WinXP bootloader and have a reference to linux in the Boot.ini config. When Linux boots, LILO prompts to select DOS or Linux to load. This is unecessary, as I want it to boot straight to Linux with no intervention.

This is my lilo.conf file. I have already removed the Windows entry, but haven't reinstalled LILO yet:

# LILO configuration file
# generated by 'liloconfig'
#
# Start LILO global section
boot = /dev/hda6
message = /boot/boot_message.txt
prompt
timeout = 1200
# Override dangerous defaults that rewrite the partition table:
change-rules
reset
# VESA framebuffer console @ 1024x768x256
vga = 773
# Normal VGA console
# vga = normal
# VESA framebuffer console @ 1024x768x64k
# vga=791
# VESA framebuffer console @ 1024x768x32k
# vga=790
# End LILO global section

image = /boot/vmlinuz
root = /dev/hda6
label = Linux
read-only
# Linux bootable partition config ends

------------------

Now, if I remove the following lines:

message = /boot/boot_message.txt
prompt

and change the lilo.conf file to read:

# LILO configuration file
# generated by 'liloconfig'
#
# Start LILO global section
boot = /dev/hda6
timeout = 0
# Override dangerous defaults that rewrite the partition table:
change-rules
reset
# VESA framebuffer console @ 1024x768x256
vga = 773
# Normal VGA console
# vga = normal
# VESA framebuffer console @ 1024x768x64k
# vga=791
# VESA framebuffer console @ 1024x768x32k
# vga=790
# End LILO global section

image = /boot/vmlinuz
root = /dev/hda6
label = Linux
read-only
# Linux bootable partition config ends


Will this make it automatically boot into Linux with no menu choice?

 

[RhythmAce]

if you are using another boot loader, you can uninstall lilo with this command:

lilo -u

to get it back, you would just type:

lilo

 

[samsonx]

Yes, but if I uninstall LILO, will I be able to boot Linux? I thought that you need a boot loader to boot Linux.

I grabbed the first 512 bytes with:
dd if=/dev/hda6 of=/tmp/linux.lnx bs=512 count=1
and copied linux.lnx to my boot.ini.

So you are saying that if I uninstall LILO I will be able to boot with using the linux.lnx file that I have copied to my c:\ drive in Windows?

 

[RhythmAce]

Sorry, I'm not familiar with the Win boot loader. I assumed it knew how to boot linux. I guess if you need a second boot loader, you will need to do what you suggested. Just remove the prompt and delay. Is there any reason you can't use just one like lilo or grub?

 

[AP81]

Leave the prompt, set timeout=0. Open /boot/message.txt and delete any entries other that Linux. Run /sbin/lilo, the redo a dd command to copy the 512bytes of the partition and copy it back to windows. Should be all fine now.