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dandart · Guest

How do you install NetBSD on the same computer, seeing as they need different bootloaders to install? (how to get around the kernel problem). With NetBSD 2.0 and Red Hat Linux 8.0 (grub preferred)

Nobber · Posted: Fri Apr 29, 2005 2:09 pm Post subject: RE: NetBSD and Linux

From memory, here's an outline plan:

1. NetBSD must be installed in a primary partition. Make sure there's one ready on your disk.
2. GRUB can boot *BSD in the same way as it boots Windows, e.g.

title NetBSD
rootnoverify (hd0,1)
chainloader +1
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mugstar · Posted: Fri Apr 29, 2005 2:25 pm Post subject: RE: NetBSD and Linux

I'm not sure if NetBSD uses the same installation procedure/tools as FreeBSD, but I managed to b0rk GRUB on the MBR by overwriting it with the FreeBSD bootloader. I would advise being very certain you know how to install the NetBSD bootloader to the root partition and not the MBR before you start. I'd also use a more up to date distro than RH8, and install that first to ensure GRUB is set up to start with.

dandart · Joined: Tue May 03, 2005 8:31 am Posts: 2

That's the thing. I have no distro more up2date than rh8! Any cds that you could redirect me to (im skint!) would be appreciated.

mugstar · Posted: Tue May 03, 2005 9:47 am Post subject: RE: NetBSD and Linux

If you're in the UK, then the next issue of Linux Format should be in the shops on election day. That has Mandrake 10.2 (or Mandriva, or whatever.) And in the interests of competition, the latest Linux Magazine is due out on Friday, which will have the same distro on it.

jjmac · Posted: Wed May 04, 2005 10:59 am Post subject: RE: NetBSD and Linux

Just because the installer offeres to install a bootstrap, it dosen't mean you have to go along with it. Especially if you already have a working set up. *bsd boots the same as most other OS's, it has it's boot files external to its' kernel, with its' first stage on the first sector of its' root partition, and the secondaries in the /boot directory. Pretty much the same as windows or any other system. Linux is the one that's different. Having its' boot process/files internel to the kernel.

nobber has the right idea. No need to overwrite whatever boot system you already have, just add the *bsd install to you Grub or Lilo config, and prepare a partition it can install to. Let the installer format it. bsd will likely refer to it as a "slice", iirc, and will then proceed to slice it up further into a number of sub partitions/slices ... all contained in the primary you allocated. A primary logical should be ok too.

jm
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mugstar · Posted: Wed May 04, 2005 1:06 pm Post subject:

Since that post about a b0rked MBR, I've installed PCBSD onto a primary partition. It gave the option to i) install the bootloader to the MBR, or ii) install no bootloader. I chose the latter, then booted into it from the GRUB command line. So yeah, jjmac is right on this one. Maybe next time I'll read up a bit before installing esoteric things like *BSDs... Embarassed

Guest · Posted: Thu May 05, 2005 8:42 am Post subject:

I am looking for the newest distro that's RH or SuSE, preferred. Any idea where I can get those?

jjmac · Posted: Wed May 11, 2005 1:34 am Post subject:

mugstar wrote:

>>
Since that post about a b0rked MBR, I've installed PCBSD onto a primary partition. It gave the option to i) install the bootloader to the MBR, or ii) install no bootloader. I chose the latter, then booted into it from the GRUB command line. So yeah, jjmac is right on this one. Maybe next time I'll read up a bit before installing esoteric things like *BSDs...
>>

There are quite a lot of posts around various places concerning this type of problem. Which, i think, could be solved very easily if the installers were more informative. Seems that good systems start off with unnecessary diffulcuties as a result. Not great for first impressions,thats for sure Smile

. Plus people seem to see their mbr bootstrap and loader as the same thing, which of course there not. I guess the lexability of being able to put Linux's loader virtually any where contributes to that in a way. But ... being really lazy and not following the link (grin), what is it about PCBSD that makes it easier. Unless it's their installer/docs. The last installer i saw was woodys, which nearly made me spew it was so bad. Also, i think that programs which edit the mbr with out auto making a full versioned/dated backup really sux. It's the kind of slackness that shouldn't get into Linux really. But, enough rant ...

jm

Guest · Posted: Wed May 11, 2005 10:57 am Post subject:

It certainly wouldn't take much effort to make the installer more friendly, just a line or two of explanation would suffice. In PCBSD, for example, all it would need is the second option to be changed to read "Install bootloader to root partition/slice (you will need to configure an existing bootloader such as GRUB)". As it is, it presumes prior knowledge of the workings of the bootloader on the part of the user. Which can be a *bad* thing (cf my b0rked MBR Rolling Eyes

)

In my experience, PCBSD is easier than other *BSD's to install because as long as you have a spare primary partition you just point the installer at it and away it goes. It's not exactly l33t, but avoids the need to mess about with the *BSD partitioning tool, which, IMHO, is not intuitive at all. (i.e. 'harder to use than cfdisk'). It also sets up xorg and other essential stuff like networking automagically, given a couple of basic bits of information.

mugstar · Posted: Wed May 11, 2005 10:59 am Post subject:

GRR! Fix the sporadic logging in problem! Above post is mine...

Guest · Posted: Wed May 11, 2005 12:46 pm Post subject:

That was happening to me for a while as well. On new window openings. But it dosen't happen any more (grin) no idea why.

It might have been a cookie thing with the two sites. Has LXF still got a mutiple personality thing happening, i haven't checked lately Smile

'bout as much help as some installers Rolling Eyes

>>
As it is, it presumes prior knowledge of the workings of the bootloader on the part of the user.
>>

Yep, thats it. Assuuumes. All they need to do is probe for the existing state. Then tell the user that they already have a bootstrap installed, and if another other OS type is detected (via fs type) in their table, then they may configure the current install from there. Still, there are holes there. A lot of people won't know if they can or not. Especially if the other fs is detected as a windows type. Which won't like the idea of providing for the boot of another system (grin)

But, it must be better to just default a boot-floppy creation, then have a clearly marked facility in the install to handle the loader configuration later.

Better installer docs must be the way to go.

jm

Guest · Posted: Wed May 11, 2005 12:48 pm Post subject:

Ahrrr sh*t, guess what .... dam it. This place is just to much sometimes

jm

towy71 · Posted: Wed May 11, 2005 1:24 pm Post subject:

hahaha the fickle finger of fate! Laughing

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troyklein · Joined: Wed May 11, 2005 2:37 pm Posts: 1

Hello all,
I am looking for a good resource to configure multimedia keys on a Microsoft keybord. I saw an artical on it in LinuxFormat a month or so back. Can anyone help me or point me in a direction?