lilo -u should restore the original bootsector. On Thu, 4 Mar 2004, Joel Dick wrote: > 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 > -- Daniel Taylor random at argle.org Forget diamonds, Copyright is forever. _______________________________________________ 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