PC World 1999 August/PCWorld_1999-08_cd.bin/doc/HOWTO/mini/Loadlin+Win95

Text File | 1999-03-21 | 24.7 KB | 793 lines

  The Loadlin+Win95 mini-HOWTO
  Authored by: Chris Fischer, [e-mail]
  v1.4.6, 13 March 1999

  This document describes how to use Loadlin with Windows 95 to boot to
  Linux.
  ______________________________________________________________________

  Table of Contents


  1. Introduction

     1.1 Copyright
     1.2 New Versions Of This Document and Windows 98
     1.3 Feedback
     1.4 Disclaimer

  2. IMPORTANT: Preliminary Information and Setup

     2.1 WARNING! for Windows95 OSR2 (version 4.00.950b) users:
     2.2 Things that are assumed:
     2.3 Items you need before you start:

  3. Getting started:

     3.1 Determine what version of Windows 95 you have.
     3.2 Determine if you are using the FAT32 file system.
     3.3 Make sure filename extensions are visible in Windows Explorer.
     3.4 Rename your system files.
     3.5 Important Warning.
     3.6 Edit your system files.

  4. *** Use this section ONLY if you are using a DOS 6.x boot disk.***

     4.1 Edit and Rename your DOS 6.x system files.

  5. Final Steps

     5.1 Almost Finished
     5.2 You are finished!
     5.3 How it works.

  6. Alternate Methods for Auto-Booting Linux, Especially for Users With a FAT32 File System.

     6.1 Method 1.
     6.2 Method 2.

  7. Frequently Asked Questions:

     7.1 Where can I find more information on using Loadlin?
     7.2 I am not sure what partition Linux is installed on. How do I find out?
     7.3 Where do I find the kernel image file and how do I copy it to my MS-DOS partition?
     7.4 Does it matter if I install Linux or Windows 95 first?
     7.5 I currently have LILO installed, but I want to use Loadlin instead. How do I remove LILO?
     7.6 What if I already dual boot between Windows 95 and Windows 3.x, and I want to boot to Linux using this method?
     7.7 Is it possible to initiate Linux from the Windows 95 desktop?
     7.8 Where can I get a plain text version of this document?

  8. Credits



  ______________________________________________________________________


  1.  Introduction

  This document describes how to easily use a combination of Windows
  95's Boot Menu and Loadlin.exe to autoboot Linux using the F4 Function
  Key. This procedure should work with Windows 95 versions 4.00.950,
  4.00.950a, and 4.00.95b with FAT16, and all versions of Linux that
  support Loadlin. If you prefer to use the LILO boot manager, please
  consult the Linux+Win95 Mini-HOWTO.

  There are also two alternate methods for dual booting between Linux
  and Windows 95 using Loadlin for users using FAT32 with Windows 95
  version 4.00.950b.


  1.1.  Copyright

  The Loadlin+Win95 mini-HOWTO is copyright (C) 1997- 1998 by Protek
  Computer Solutions. This document may be reproduced and distributed in
  whole or in part, in any medium physical or electronic, as long as
  this copyright notice is retained on all copies. Commercial
  redistribution is allowed and encouraged; however, the author would
  like to be notified of any such distributions.


  1.2.  New Versions Of This Document and Windows 98

  This mini-HOWTO is posted first at The Linux+Windows 95  Reference
  Page <http://www.eskimo.com/~praxis>, so check there to make sure you
  have the most recent revision of this mini-HOWTO. You will also find a
  link there for dual booting with Windows 98. The next revision of this
  mini-HOWTO will be a major revision and will include information on
  dual booting with Windows 98.


  1.3.  Feedback

  Questions, comments, and suggestions are welcome. I am always looking
  for ways to improve and expand this mini-HOWTO. I rely heavily on
  feedback to make improvements, and will do my best to be prompt with a
  helpful response. I can be reached at [e-mail].


  1.4.  Disclaimer

  Every attempt has been made to ensure that the information presented
  in this mini-HOWTO is safe and accurate. However, this information is
  given without any warranty, either expressed or implied, as to its
  suitability for a particular use. It is generally considered a
  GoodThing(TM) to make backups of your system files before changing
  system configurations and/or files. I suggest you take this precaution
  "just in case".


  2.  IMPORTANT: Preliminary Information and Setup


  2.1.  WARNING! for Windows95 OSR2 (version 4.00.950b) users:

  Do NOT attempt dual booting with Windows 95 without first consulting
  the Windows 95 OSR2 FAQ. The FAQ also contains a great deal of
  information regarding FAT32. In a nutshell, if you have OSR2 and are
  using a FAT16 file system, you can still dual boot using the F4
  Function Key.

  NOTE: If you have Windows 95 OSR2, and are using a FAT32 file system,
  then the dual booting methods in this  mini-HOWTO using the F4
  Function Key will not work and should not be attempted.

  However, there are a couple of alternate methods you can use  to
  automate booting Linux at startup, which are discussed in ``Section
  6''.


  2.2.  Things that are assumed:


  ╖  You have successfully installed Windows 95.

  ╖  Windows 95 is installed on Drive C.

  ╖  You have successfully installed Linux.

  ╖  You know what partition Linux is installed on.

  ╖  LILO is NOT installed on your hard drive.

  ╖  If you are using Windows 95 OSR2 (version 4.00.950b), you have
     carefully read the Windows95 OSR2 FAQ.


  2.3.  Items you need before you start:


  ╖  A bootable floppy disk with DOS 5.0 or DOS 6.x system files
     (io.sys, msdos.sys, command.com) and a config.sys file. If you are
     using a DOS 5.0 boot disk, you will also need an autoexec.bat file.
     If you are using Windows 95 OSR2 (version 4.00.950b), you will also
     need to create a file called Winboot.sys with a text editor and
     place it in the root directory of Drive C.  Winboot.sys can be an
     empty file, just  so long as you have the file.

  NOTE: If your hard drive already contains the autoexec.dos,
  config.dos, io.dos, msdos.dos, and command.dos files, then you will
  not need the floppy. You can check by typing: dir and dir /ah at the
  root of Drive C.  Also, if you installed the upgrade version of
  Windows 95, then it is likely that you have them.


  ╖  The Loadlin.exe program file

  ╖  Your kernel image file,usually zImage or vmlinuz. (See the ``FAQ''
     for info).

  ╖  A simple text editor, such as Notepad.


  3.  Getting started:


  3.1.  Determine what version of Windows 95 you have.

  Boot your computer to Windows 95 and right click on the My computer
  icon. Now left click on Properties. On the General Tab, look under the
  "System:" line. There you will see the version number.


  3.2.  Determine if you are using the FAT32 file system.

  NOTE: If you have Windows 95 version 4.00.950b, make certain you are
  not using the FAT32 file system. Double click the My Computer  icon,
  then right click the Drive C icon. Left click on Properties. On the
  General tab, the "Type:" line will indicate whether or not you have a
  FAT32 file system. If you are using the FAT32 file system, then go
  directly to ``Section 6'' . Otherwise, continue with Section 3.3.


  3.3.  Make sure filename extensions are visible in Windows Explorer.


  ╖  Run the Windows Explorer file manager program.

  ╖  On the Menu Bar, click on View, then click on Options.  On the View
     Tab, make sure that the "Show all files" radio button is marked.
     Also, make sure that the line with "Hide MS-DOS file extensions for
     file types that are registered" is unchecked.  Click on the OK
     button.

  NOTE: If your hard drive already contains the *.dos files mentioned in
  the ``NOTE: of Section 2.3'', then skip to the next ``NOTE:''.
  Otherwise, continue with Section 3.4.


  3.4.  Rename your system files.


  ╖  Insert the DOS 5.0 or DOS 6.x bootable floppy into Drive A. Click
     on the Drive A icon so you can see the contents on the floppy disk.

  ╖  Rename each file to a .dos file extension. You can do this by
     single clicking on a file, pressing the F2 function key, and typing
     in the new name. Do not worry if you need the bootable floppy to
     work properly, just rename the files back after you are finished
     with this procedure.


  3.5.  Important Warning.


  ╖  EXTREMELY IMPORTANT: Make sure you rename the files on the floppy
     BEFORE you copy them to Drive C. Otherwise you will overwrite your
     Windows 95 system files. You have been warned.  Now, copy all files
     to the root directory of Drive C. One method is to click on the
     Drive A icon, press CTRL+A, press CTRL+C, click on the Drive C
     icon, and press CTRL+V.

  NOTE: If you do not have Windows 95 OSR2 (version 4.00.950b), please
  skip to ``Section 3.6''.


  ╖  If (and only if) you have Windows95 version 4.00.950b, make sure
     you have a file named Winboot.sys in the root directory of Drive C,
     as stated in ``Section 2.3'' above. Failure to have Winboot.sys in
     the root directory of Drive C will result in a system lockup should
     you attempt to boot to an earlier version of DOS.

  NOTE: If you are using a  DOS 6.x boot disk skip to ``Section 4'',
  otherwise continue with the next step.


  3.6.  Edit your system files.


  ╖  Open Notepad. On the Menu Bar, click on Open. Change "Files of
     type" to "All files (*.*)". Change "Look in:" from Desktop to Drive
     C. Now open Config.dos by double clicking on the filename. Delete
     all the contents. This will create a 0K file...I will explain
     later. Save the file.

  ╖  Use Notepad to open and edit Autoexec.dos and type in the Loadlin
     command. The Loadlin command must be in the following syntax:



       ______________________________________________________________________

        Loadlin DriveLetter:\LinuxKernelFile root=/dev/LinuxBootPartition ro
       ______________________________________________________________________




  Here is my Autoexec.dos file as an example:



       ______________________________________________________________________

        Loadlin f:\vmlinuz root=/dev/hdc2 ro
       ______________________________________________________________________




  NOTE: The kernel, as well as the Loadlin.exe, file may be anywhere on
  your hard drive as long as you reference the correct path. For
  example, if your kernel file was located in  the directory
  e:\linux\kernels and Loadlin.exe was located in the directory
  c:\utils, you would use:



       ______________________________________________________________________

        c:\utils\loadlin e:\linux\kernels\vmlinuz root=/dev/hdc2 ro
       ______________________________________________________________________





  ╖  Save the file.


  4.  *** Use this section ONLY if you are using a DOS 6.x boot disk.***


  4.1.  Edit and Rename your DOS 6.x system files.


  ╖  Open Notepad. On the Menu Bar, click on Open. Change "Files of
     type" to "All files (*.*)". Change "Look in:" from Desktop to Drive
     C. Now open Config.dos by double clicking on the filename. Delete
     all the contents. Now, you will need to enter the shell command
     with the following syntax:



       ______________________________________________________________________

        shell=loadlin.exe LinuxKernelFile root=/dev/LinuxBootPartition ro
       ______________________________________________________________________



  Here is my Config.dos file as an example:



       ______________________________________________________________________

        shell=f:\loadlin.exe f:\vmlinuz root=/dev/hdc2 ro
       ______________________________________________________________________




  NOTE: The Loadlin and kernel file may be  anywhere on your hard drive
  as long as you reference the correct path. For example, if your
  Loadlin file was in the directory f:\utils and the kernel file was
  located in the directory e:\linux\kernels you would use:



       ______________________________________________________________________

        shell=f:\utils\loadlin.exe e:\linux\kernels\vmlinuz root=/dev/hdc2 ro
       ______________________________________________________________________





  ╖  Save the file.


  5.  Final Steps


  5.1.  Almost Finished


  ╖  One last file to edit and then you are finished. Use Notepad to
     open and edit Msdos.sys. Goto the "Options" section. Look for a
     line that has BootMulti=. If you do not find one then add it and
     set the value to 1. It should look something like:



       ______________________________________________________________________

        [Options]
        BootMulti=1
       ______________________________________________________________________





  ╖  There may be other items listed. Just leave them. Now save the
     file.


  5.2.  You are finished!

  Now all you have to do is reboot (Don't forget to remove the floppy
  disk). When you see "Starting Windows 95...", press the F4 Function
  Key and Linux should boot right up.



  5.3.  How it works.

  Windows 95 has a built in Boot Menu. By default you do not see it at
  startup (although you can change that if you wish), but you can get to
  it by pressing the F8 Function Key when you see "Starting Windows
  95...". On the menu you will see several options. The last option is
  "Previous version of  MS-DOS". Instead of pressing F8 and then
  selecting "Previous version of MS-DOS", you can use the F4 shortcut by
  pressing F4 when "Starting Windows 95..."  appears on the screen. When
  Windows 95 boots to the previous  version of MS-DOS, it uses the files
  that end in the .dos file extension. This is why it is important to
  have a 0K Config.dos file if you are initiating Linux from the
  Autoexec.dos file. If Windows 95 does not find the files with a .dos
  extension while trying to boot the previous operating system, it will
  load the Windows 95 startup files.  Therefore, if you do not have a
  Config.dos file, Windows 95 will load all the drivers in your
  Config.sys file. While this will not prevent Linux from loading, it
  will take longer. Having a 0K Config.dos file prevents Windows 95 from
  reading your Config.sys file while booting to the previous version of
  MS-DOS.


  6.  Alternate Methods for Auto-Booting Linux, Especially for Users
  With a FAT32 File System.

  This section will work for all versions of Windows 95 to date,
  regardless of whether you have a FAT32 file system. There are two
  methods I will discuss in this section. First, I'll start with  the
  simplest.


  6.1.  Method 1.

  This method uses the Autoexec.bat file to call (or execute) another
  batch file named Linux.bat, during boot up.


  ╖  Creat a Linux.bat file using a simple text editor such as EDIT or
     Notepad. The contents should be similar to the following:



       ______________________________________________________________________

        @echo off
        cls
        echo.
        echo.
        echo.
        echo.
        choice /t:y,5 "Do you wish to boot Linux? "
        if errorlevel 2 goto End
        c:\loadlin c:\vmlinuz root=/dev/hdc2 ro
        :End
       ______________________________________________________________________




  This batch file script clears the screen, adds four blank lines,
  displays the text in quotes + [Y,N], then waits 5 seconds for you to
  press a key. If you do not press a key within 5 seconds, it defaults
  to Y and runs Linux. If you select Y or N, the batch file determines
  what option you selected, then executes the selected option.  For
  example, if you select 'N' then the batch file terminates and
  continues to process your Autoexec.bat file, which loads Windows 95.
  If you select Y, then of course Linux will load.

  If you do not want four blank lines before the text, modify the number
  of lines with echo. If you do not want the screen to clear, then
  remove the line with cls. The /t switch tells the choice command to
  wait 5 seconds and, if no key is pressed, to default to Y. Change the
  y to an n if you want Windows 95 to boot after the 5 second timeout:
  choice /t:n,5.  Also, you can change the amount of time to wait from 0
  to 99 seconds.  For more information on the choice command, change to
  the c:\windows\command directory and type: choice /? at the command
  prompt.

  NOTE: You will have to modify the line that boots Linux to match your
  configuration. Please see ``Section 3.6'' for examples of how to
  configure Loadlin to boot to Linux.


  ╖  Next, create an Autoexec.bat file (if you don't already have one)
     with a simple text editor. Then, on the first line, add the
     following:



       ______________________________________________________________________

               call c:\linux
       ______________________________________________________________________




  If Linux.bat is in another directory you will have to reference the
  correct path. For example if Linux.bat is in a directory called
  C:\batch, you would add:



       ______________________________________________________________________

               call c:\batch\linux
       ______________________________________________________________________




  to the first line of your Autoexec.bat file. Save and exit the file.
  Now all you need to do is reboot. You should be prompted on whether
  you want to boot Linux.


  6.2.  Method 2.

  This method is a bit more involved, but offers the greatest
  flexibility. What this method does it create your own custom boot
  menu, though it does not replace the Windows 95 boot menu. You will
  need a Config.sys and an Autoexec.bat file.


  ╖  First you will need to define a Startup Menu in Config.sys
     (mycomments to you are in parenthesis):






  ______________________________________________________________________

   [menu]
   menuitem=Linux, Boot to Linux  (This defines a Menu Block and gives it a description).
   menuitem=Win95, Boot to Windows 95
   menucolor=15,1  (This gives a blue background with bright white text)
   menudefault=Linux, 15  (This sets the default menuitem and waits up to 15 seconds for input).

   [linux]
   shell=f:\loadlin.exe f:\vmlinuz root=/dev/hdc2 ro (Please see Section 4 for examples and syntax).

   [win95]
   (Include the normal contents of your config.sys file here. If you did
   not have a config.sys file before now, then leave this section blank).
  ______________________________________________________________________





  ╖  Save and exit your Config.sys file. If you want, you can use this
     Config.sys template to get started.


  ╖  Next, edit your Autoexec.bat file (my comments to you are in
     parenthesis):



       ______________________________________________________________________

        goto %config%

        :win95
        (Include the normal contents of your autoexec.bat file here. If you did
        not have an autoexec.bat file before now, then leave this section blank).
       ______________________________________________________________________





  ╖  Save and exit your Autoexec.bat file. If you want, you can use this
     Autoexec.bat template to get started. That should do it. The next
     time you reboot, you should get a Start Up menu with the option to
     boot to Linux or Windows 95.


  7.  Frequently Asked Questions:


  7.1.  Where can I find more information on using Loadlin?


  ╖  Slackware versions 3.2 and 3.5 contain a file named "loadlin.tgz"
     in the \slakware\A5 directory, Slackware versions 3.3 and 3.4 have
     loadlin.tgz in the \slakware\A4 directory. Slackware version 3.6
     has loadlin.tgz in the \slackware\A8 directory. Unarchive the file
     and look in the \docs directory for a file named manual.txt. I do
     not know about earlier versions of Slackware.


  ╖  RedHat versions 4.2 through 5.2 contain a file named
     "loadlin16.tgz" in  the \dosutils directory. Unarchive the file and
     look in the \docs directory for a file named manual.txt. RedHat 4.1
     does not seem to have this archive. The manual.txt is also
     available for download at:


       ftp://ftp.eskimo.com/u/p/praxis/manual.txt



  ╖  Additional information is available at:


       http://metalab.unc.edu/LDP/HOWTO/BootPrompt-HOWTO-2.html#ss2.2



  7.2.  I am not sure what partition Linux is installed on. How do I
  find out?


  ╖  At a Linux shell prompt, run the fdisk utility and press "p". From
     there you should be able to tell. If you need additional help using
     fdisk, please consult the man pages.


  7.3.  Where do I find the kernel image file and how do I copy it to my
  MS-DOS partition?


  ╖  To find your linux kernel file type:



       ______________________________________________________________________

               find / -name vmlinuz
       ______________________________________________________________________





  at a Linux shell prompt. This will search all Linux partitions for the
  vmlinuz file. If you have multiple vmlinuz files, then make sure you
  use the correct one. If you are not sure, then the safest bet would be
  to use the most recent one.

  To copy your linux kernel file to your DOS partition, you need to make
  your DOS partition visible to Linux, then mount the partition if it is
  not already. Generally, this should have been set up when you
  installed Linux. All you need to do next is change to the directory
  the vmlinuz file is in and copy it over to DOS using the cp command.

  However, if Linux was not set up to recognize your DOS partition, then
  copy vmlinuz to a floppy. Take any DOS formatted floppy (with enough
  disk space to hold your kernel image file) and insert it into your
  floppy drive. Type:



       ______________________________________________________________________

               mount /dev/fd0 /tmp
       ______________________________________________________________________




  at a Linux shell prompt. Then change to the directory your kernel
  image file is in and type:



       ______________________________________________________________________

               cp vmlinuz /tmp
       ______________________________________________________________________




  This will copy vmlinuz to your floppy disk and it will be readable by
  DOS. Shutdown Linux, boot to DOS, then copy vmlinuz to whichever
  directory you choose. If you recompile your kernel, do not forget to
  copy the new kernel image file to your DOS partition. This will
  overwrite your old file, so it might be a good idea to rename the old
  file first just in case the new one does not work properly.


  7.4.  Does it matter if I install Linux or Windows 95 first?


  ╖  Technically no. However, it would be much simpler to install Win95
     first. That way it is easier to setup Linux to recognize your DOS
     partition(s) as you can usually do this during the Linux
     installation.


  7.5.  I currently have LILO installed, but I want to use Loadlin
  instead. How do I remove LILO?


  ╖  You will need to restore the Win95 MBR (Master Boot Record) that
     LILO overwrote when you installed LILO. At a DOS prompt type:



       ______________________________________________________________________

               fdisk /mbr
       ______________________________________________________________________





  7.6.  What if I already dual boot between Windows 95 and Windows 3.x,
  and I want to boot to Linux using this method?


  ╖  Frankly, if you want to do this I would recommend using LILO.
     However, if you really do not want to use LILO, you will have to
     boot to Win 3.x first, then issue the Loadlin command. (Make sure
     Windows 3.x is NOT running, but that you are in DOS 5.0 or 6.x).


  7.7.  Is it possible to initiate Linux from the Windows 95 desktop?


  ╖  Yes. First, create a batch file called "linux.bat", for example.
     Edit the file to contain a Loadlin command such as:



  ______________________________________________________________________

          loadlin f:\vmlinuz root=/dev/hdc2 ro
  ______________________________________________________________________





  Now save the file in the \windows\desktop directory. Next, right click
  on the Linux.bat icon, then left click on Properties. Now click on the
  Program tab, then click on the Advanced button. Click on the box next
  to "MS-DOS mode" and make sure the box next to "Warn before entering
  MS-DOS mode is checked". Click OK, then click on OK again. Now when
  you double click on the Linux icon, a warning box will appear before
  going into MS-DOS mode. If you click on "Yes" then Windows enters MS-
  DOS mode and executes the Linux.bat file.

  NOTE: You must be in MS-DOS mode in order to use Loadlin. Please see
  the manual.txt file mentioned in ``Section 7.1'' of this ``FAQ'' for
  more information.



  7.8.  Where can I get a plain text version of this document?


  ╖  You can get a plain text version of this document at:

       ftp://ftp.eskimo.com/u/p/praxis/loadlin.txt



  8.  Credits

  A special thanks toNorm Jacobowitz and Fred Harris for helping me sort
  out the Windows 95 OSR2 issues and for helping me improve this mini-
  HOWTO.