LILO

• /etc/lilo.conf contols which kernel the system loads.
• Sample lilo.conf

  
	  boot=/dev/hda  	   
         map=/boot/map
	  install=/boot/boot.b
	  prompt
	  timeout=50
	  password="xyzzy"
	  image=/boot/vmlinuz
		label=linux
	    	append="mem=128M"
	    	serial=0,9600N
		root=/dev/hda4
		read-only
	  other=/dev/hda1
		label=nt
		table=/dev/hda

• Run /sbin/lilo (Watch for errors that indicate problems in /etc/lilo.conf)
• options
  • serial
  • password
  • initrd
  • vga
  • label
  • image
    • kernel image
  • table
  • other
  • append
    • method to send options to kernel
  • boot
    • where to put lilo
  • map
• example lilo.conf

At the LILO: prompt

• Hit tab key to see choices
• Pass kernel parameters.

• linux ether=0,0,eth0

• Specify default run level

• linux single
• linux 5

Debugging

• Each letter of "LILO" represents a stage in the boot process
  • L
  • I
  • L
  • O
• If only "LI" appears, /etc/lilo was not run after a new kernel was installed.
  • boot from floppy
  • fsck and mount the root partition
  • run lilo -r on the mounted partition
  • Remove floppy and reboot.