PE> The linux quick installation guide says to refer to the linux-howto
PE> file.

db> Or rather, one of the many topic/subject-based how-to documents - they're 
db> on the CD-ROM.  There is no single "How-To" that covers
everything, each 
db> "How-To" is devoted to specific topics (like Ethernet
device drivers, 
db> installation, working with fdisk/lilo, &c.).

Page 15, says "consult the LILO-HOWTO".

PE> I've spent about 2 hours trying to find that file!

db> You've got the Aug/Sep 1996 InfoMagic Linux Developers' Resource, right?  

Yes.

db> * The QuickStart booklet says (page 1):

db> "Two series of documents available on the web and in the \DOCS directory
db> on InfoMagic's CD-ROM set, are the FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) and
db> the `HOWTO' documents."

db> * Check disc 1 - nope, no "\DOCS" directory there.  What's
the README say?

db> "The Linux How To documents can be found below the `docs' directory on
db> disc 3.  They are provided in a number of formats."

db> * Insert disc 3 - ahh, there they are in the "\DOCS\HOWTO"
directory!

I found that directory, but there is no LILO* in there.  There is a LINUX*
in there.  But untarring that, there is no LILO* in there, either.  There
is some mention of it in some of the other howto files though.  Am I meant
to be reading them, the LILO-HOWTO is just a bad myth?  Funny thing is the
index of the LINUX HOWTO mentions that there is such a thing.

db> Firstly, two points:

db> 1.  Older versions of Linux insist on the boot partition starting below the
db> 1,024 cylinder mark (the rest can be above it if you like);  the reason
db> for this is simple - brain-dead LILO needs to be able to locate and
db> bootstrap the kernel (which doesn't care where everything exists on the
db> disk) using the BIOS alone.  The newer version may have changed this, I
db> haven't checked (since my partitions already start that low).

Page 15 seems to indicate that it can be done, but it's difficult to
understand in places.

db> 2.  You'll need to decide where to stick LILO.  If you're already using the
db> OS/2 Boot Manager, then the choice is simple - LILO will go in the boot
db> sector of your Linux root partition.  

Ok, thanks.

db> What type of CD-ROM drive?  ATAPI or SCSI?  Either way, create two disks:

It is connected to my Soundblaster card.  I don't know what that makes it. 
I should be able to get the right boot disk for that though, I could last
time.

db> Which reminds me - where are you going to put your swap space?  You don't 
db> appear to have allocated any partitions for it, so I assume you'd:

I have 64 meg of memory, I'm not expecting to swap.

db> (a)  decided to try winging it with a Windows-style "swap
file";  or,

I expect one day that I will read the docs and find out how to do this,
should I ever swap.

PE> 5. Create a linux partition of /dev/hdb2 (???).

db> I thought you said the partition already exists?  

That is correct, it is at the moment a HPFS-formatted partition.

db> IDE primary slave               /dev/hdb

db> 1   First primary partition
db> 2   Second primary partition
db> 3   Third primary partition
db> 4   Fouth primary partition
db> 5   First logical partition
db> 6   Second logical partition
db> 7   Third logical partition
db> [...]

db> So, if that second partition on your second IDE drive is a primary 
db> partition, and that second IDE drive is the slave on the primary IDE 
db> channel, then the device name is:

db> /dev/hdb2

They're both logical partitions, so I guess that makes it /dev/hdb6.

PE> ...to get it to read the CDROM, and write to /dev/hdb2 (about 600 meg...

db> Much less (chances are you won't install everything - you *really* don't 
db> need everything, certainly not on a single partition).

I want a swag of things, like postgres and tex.

PE> I sort of expected bootmanager to directly boot linux.

db> It probably would if Linux's boot code fit all in one sector (which is, 
db> guess what - the job that LILO performs!);  once LILO loads, it reads the 

:-)  Ok, there was method to the madness then.  Thanks a lot!.  Paul.
@EOT:

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