thanks for the help, I still have much to learn about linux. I downloaded that linux bbc doot disk, wrote it to a CD-R and booted the laptop up with that. This might be an odd request, but would it be possible to remove lilo and just have the laptop boot to windows? *starts dodging rotten tomatos* I only ask that because this guy is a sales rep, has very little computer knowledge, and inherited the laptop from the old IT guy here that ran linux on it for home use. Basically this sales guy won't use linux, so why have it there in case he ends up getting into it some day and messes his machine up? If I remove lilo from the MBR, what will I need to do to make it boot into windows? Thanks again, Joel --- Tim Sinks <tsinks at isd.net> wrote: > There are several ways and problems to solve with this. > 1. Erased LILO - Boot from CD - choose upgrade, proceed until after the > part > about partition, right after this hit Alt-F3 to get shell prompt. Enter > - > /mnt/sbin/lilo -r /mnt should see "adding Linux" > reboot the computer > 2. If not able to reinstall - At boot prompt enter - > linux rescue > enter - > mount /dev/hdaX /mnt > you'll be in root dir - enter > /sbin/lilo > it will overwrite the MBR > enter contrl-D and reboot > 3. Only get the L or LI - boot with a linux disk > enter - /sbin/lilo -v -v > check the error messages with the LILO Readme file - > /usr/share/doc/lilo-version-#/README > might be able to add linear or lba32 or compact in options of > /etc/lilo/conf > 4. Windows overwrites LILO or MBR - restart computer with bootable disk > run LILOCONFIG from floppy drive > If LILO was installed in superblock use FDISK command to activate the > Linux > partition. > 5. Clear LILO from MBR > enter - fdisk /mbr > 6. LILO -- > boot=/dev/hda > map=/boot/map > install=/boot/boot.b > prompt > timeout=100 > other = /dev/hda1 > label = dos > table = /dev/hda > image=linux or /boot/vmlinuz-2.2.30-2.9 ( your version of > linux) > root=/dev/hda3 > read-only > > If you can get to reboot the computer into Linux, just go through the > LILO > configuration procedure to reload the LILO. Always carry a linux boot > disk. > I never leave home without one. Once you are in Linux you can fix most > anything. Also, check the Linux version knowledgebase for your flavor > and > the linuxquestions.org and linuxdocumentationproject site. These have > many > problem and instruction sheets for download - clean them up and put them > on > a floppy or CD for emergencies. I also have a large notebook with these > printed out. > Thanks, > Tim Sinks > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Joel Dick" <joel_cd at yahoo.com> > To: <tclug-list at mn-linux.org> > Sent: Thursday, March 04, 2004 10:51 AM > Subject: [TCLUG] Boot Issue on a laptop using LILO > > > > Hey all, > > > > Ran into a problem today, wondering if anyone knows a solution. One of > the > > guys at work has a laptop that had linux loaded on it a few years ago > > (using lilo, set to default boot to windows). Yesterday, he turned his > > computer on, it booted up to a blank screen, so he brought it in > today, I > > tried booting it up, and the farthest I get is that it gets past the > bios > > screen, goes to LILO, but all you see of the LILO prompt is "LI" and > then > > it's just stuck. I'm thinking the MBR might have gotten corrupted. > Does > > anyone know of a way to fix this problem? I'm assuming I need to boot > up > > with a floppy, but have no idea on a good utility to use/etc. > > > > Any help would be greatly appreciated. > > > > Thanks, > > Joel > > > > __________________________________ > > Do you Yahoo!? > > Yahoo! Search - Find what you're looking for faster > > http://search.yahoo.com > > > > _______________________________________________ > > TCLUG Mailing List - Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota > > http://www.mn-linux.org tclug-list at mn-linux.org > > https://mailman.real-time.com/mailman/listinfo/tclug-list > > > _______________________________________________ > TCLUG Mailing List - Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota > http://www.mn-linux.org tclug-list at mn-linux.org > https://mailman.real-time.com/mailman/listinfo/tclug-list __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Search - Find what you’re looking for faster http://search.yahoo.com _______________________________________________ TCLUG Mailing List - Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota http://www.mn-linux.org tclug-list at mn-linux.org https://mailman.real-time.com/mailman/listinfo/tclug-list