How to install second Knoppix to play with? - Solved !

[janmartin3]

Hi,

unfortunatelly while installing a second knoppix (hda9) to play with, I overwrote the mbr.

So cannot start the original knoppix installation (hda6), as it is not listed in lilo anymore.

But I still do have the original lilo.conf file in mnt/hda6/etc/lilo.conf.

How to make the original knoppix installation on hda6 bootable again?

Listed:
1) cfdisk
2) original lilo.conf
3) new lilo.conf

Any help very appreciated,
JanMartin

/ cfdisk looks like this:

cfdisk 2.12
Disk Drive: /dev/hda
Size: 60011642880 bytes, 60.0 GB
Heads: 255 Sectors per Track: 63 Cylinders: 7296

Name Flags Part Type FS Type [Label] Size (MB)
---------------------------------------------------------
hda1 Boot Primary W95 FAT32 4721.32
hda5 Logical W95 FAT32 10783.35
hda6 Logical Linux ReiserFS 11128.81
hda7 Logical Linux swap 666.25
hda8 Logical Linux ReiserFS 21912.15
hda9 Logical Linux ReiserFS 5000.98
Pri/Log Free Space 5798.83

original lilo.conf:
vga=791
# /etc/lilo.conf - See: `lilo(8)' and `lilo.conf(5)',
# --------------- `install-mbr(8)', `/usr/share/doc/lilo/',
# and `/usr/share/doc/mbr/'.

# +---------------------------------------------------------------+
# | !! Reminder !! |
# | |
# | Don't forget to run `lilo' after you make changes to this |
# | conffile, `/boot/bootmess.txt', or install a new kernel. The |
# | computer will most likely fail to boot if a kernel-image |
# | post-install script or you don't remember to run `lilo'. |
# | |
# +---------------------------------------------------------------+

# Support LBA for large hard disks.
#
lba32

# Overrides the default mapping between harddisk names and the BIOS'
# harddisk order. Use with caution.
#disk=/dev/hde
# bios=0x81

#disk=/dev/sda
# bios=0x80

# Specifies the boot device. This is where Lilo installs its boot
# block. It can be either a partition, or the raw device, in which
# case it installs in the MBR, and will overwrite the current MBR.
#
boot=/dev/hda

# Specifies the device that should be mounted as root. (`/')
#
root=/dev/hda6

# Enable map compaction:
# Tries to merge read requests for adjacent sectors into a single
# read request. This drastically reduces load time and keeps the
# map smaller. Using `compact' is especially recommended when
# booting from a floppy disk. It is disabled here by default
# because it doesn't always work.
#
# compact

# Installs the specified file as the new boot sector
# You have the choice between: bmp, compat, menu and text
# Look in /boot/ and in lilo.conf(5) manpage for details
#
install=/boot/boot-menu.b

# Specifies the location of the map file
#
map=/boot/map

# You can set a password here, and uncomment the `restricted' lines
# in the image definitions below to make it so that a password must
# be typed to boot anything but a default configuration. If a
# command line is given, other than one specified by an `append'
# statement in `lilo.conf', the password will be required, but a
# standard default boot will not require one.
#
# This will, for instance, prevent anyone with access to the
# console from booting with something like `Linux init=/bin/sh',
# and thus becoming `root' without proper authorization.
#
# Note that if you really need this type of security, you will
# likely also want to use `install-mbr' to reconfigure the MBR
# program, as well as set up your BIOS to disallow booting from
# removable disk or CD-ROM, then put a password on getting into the
# BIOS configuration as well. Please RTFM `install-mbr(8)'.
#
# password=tatercounter2000

# Specifies the number of deciseconds (0.1 seconds) LILO should
# wait before booting the first image.
#
delay=20

# You can put a customized boot message up if you like. If you use
# `prompt', and this computer may need to reboot unattended, you
# must specify a `timeout', or it will sit there forever waiting
# for a keypress. `single-key' goes with the `alias' lines in the
# `image' configurations below. eg: You can press `1' to boot
# `Linux', `2' to boot `LinuxOLD', if you uncomment the `alias'.
#
# message=/boot/bootmess.txt
prompt
timeout=150
# prompt
# single-key
# delay=100
# timeout=100

# Kernel command line options that apply to all installed images go
# here. See: The `boot-prompt-HOWO' and `kernel-parameters.txt' in
# the Linux kernel `Documentation' directory.
#
# append=""
append="hda=scsi hdb=scsi hdc=scsi hdd=scsi hde=scsi hdf=scsi hdg=scsi hdh=scsi apm=power-off nomce"

# Boot up Linux by default.
#
#default=Linux

default=Linux
image=/boot/vmlinuz
label=Linux
read-only

image=/vmlinuz.old
label=LinuxOLD
initrd=/boot/initrd.gz


#image=/boot/vmlinuz-2.4.22-xfs
# label=Linux
# initrd=/boot/initrd.gz
# read-only
#o restricted
#o alias=1

#image=/vmlinuz.old
# label=LinuxOLD
# read-only
# optional
#o restricted
#o alias=2

# If you have another OS on this machine to boot, you can uncomment the
# following lines, changing the device name on the `other' line to
# where your other OS' partition is.
#
# other=/dev/hda4
# label=HURD
# restricted
# alias=3
other=/dev/hda1
label="Windows(hda1)"

other=/dev/hda5
label="Windows(hda5)"



new lilo.conf
vga=791
# /etc/lilo.conf - See: `lilo(8)' and `lilo.conf(5)',
# --------------- `install-mbr(8)', `/usr/share/doc/lilo/',
# and `/usr/share/doc/mbr/'.

# +---------------------------------------------------------------+
# | !! Reminder !! |
# | |
# | Don't forget to run `lilo' after you make changes to this |
# | conffile, `/boot/bootmess.txt', or install a new kernel. The |
# | computer will most likely fail to boot if a kernel-image |
# | post-install script or you don't remember to run `lilo'. |
# | |
# +---------------------------------------------------------------+

# Support LBA for large hard disks.
#
lba32

# Overrides the default mapping between harddisk names and the BIOS'
# harddisk order. Use with caution.
#disk=/dev/hde
# bios=0x81

#disk=/dev/sda
# bios=0x80

# Specifies the boot device. This is where Lilo installs its boot
# block. It can be either a partition, or the raw device, in which
# case it installs in the MBR, and will overwrite the current MBR.
#
boot=/dev/hda

# Specifies the device that should be mounted as root. (`/')
#
root=/dev/hda9

# Enable map compaction:
# Tries to merge read requests for adjacent sectors into a single
# read request. This drastically reduces load time and keeps the
# map smaller. Using `compact' is especially recommended when
# booting from a floppy disk. It is disabled here by default
# because it doesn't always work.
#
# compact

# Installs the specified file as the new boot sector
# You have the choice between: bmp, compat, menu and text
# Look in /boot/ and in lilo.conf(5) manpage for details
#
install=/boot/boot-menu.b

# Specifies the location of the map file
#
map=/boot/map

# You can set a password here, and uncomment the `restricted' lines
# in the image definitions below to make it so that a password must
# be typed to boot anything but a default configuration. If a
# command line is given, other than one specified by an `append'
# statement in `lilo.conf', the password will be required, but a
# standard default boot will not require one.
#
# This will, for instance, prevent anyone with access to the
# console from booting with something like `Linux init=/bin/sh',
# and thus becoming `root' without proper authorization.
#
# Note that if you really need this type of security, you will
# likely also want to use `install-mbr' to reconfigure the MBR
# program, as well as set up your BIOS to disallow booting from
# removable disk or CD-ROM, then put a password on getting into the
# BIOS configuration as well. Please RTFM `install-mbr(8)'.
#
# password=tatercounter2000

# Specifies the number of deciseconds (0.1 seconds) LILO should
# wait before booting the first image.
#
delay=20

# You can put a customized boot message up if you like. If you use
# `prompt', and this computer may need to reboot unattended, you
# must specify a `timeout', or it will sit there forever waiting
# for a keypress. `single-key' goes with the `alias' lines in the
# `image' configurations below. eg: You can press `1' to boot
# `Linux', `2' to boot `LinuxOLD', if you uncomment the `alias'.
#
# message=/boot/bootmess.txt
prompt
timeout=150
# prompt
# single-key
# delay=100
# timeout=100

# Kernel command line options that apply to all installed images go
# here. See: The `boot-prompt-HOWO' and `kernel-parameters.txt' in
# the Linux kernel `Documentation' directory.
#
# append=""
append="hda=scsi hdb=scsi hdc=scsi hdd=scsi hde=scsi hdf=scsi hdg=scsi hdh=scsi apm=power-off nomce"

# Boot up Linux by default.
#
default=Linux

image=/boot/vmlinuz-2.4.22-xfs
label=Linux
initrd=/boot/initrd.gz
read-only
# restricted
# alias=1

image=/vmlinuz.old
label=LinuxOLD
read-only
optional
# restricted
# alias=2

# If you have another OS on this machine to boot, you can uncomment the
# following lines, changing the device name on the `other' line to
# where your other OS' partition is.
#
# other=/dev/hda4
# label=HURD
# restricted
# alias=3
other=/dev/hda1
label="Windows(hda1)"

other=/dev/hda5
label="Windows(hda5)"

[P2C2E]

Just add these lines to the lilo.conf file of your bootable hda9:

other=/dev/hda6
label="knoppix(hda6)"

Save changes then run Lilo. Reboot. Knoppix on hda6 should be listed when the Lilo boot option screen comes up. Choose it and you will boot into hda6.

[janmartin3]

Thanks,
did so, then run lilo, but it does not work:

jan@testboxhda9:~$ su root
Password:
root@testboxhda9:/home/jan# lilo
Added Linux *
Added Windows(hda1)
Added Windows(hda5)
Fatal: First sector of /dev/hda6 doesn't have a valid boot signature
root@testboxhda9:/home/jan#

So how to make a valid boot signature from the original lilo.conf file and how to install it into hda6 partiton?

JanMartin

[Stephen]

Thanks,
did so, then run lilo, but it does not work:

jan@testboxhda9:~$ su root
Password:
root@testboxhda9:/home/jan# lilo
Added Linux *
Added Windows(hda1)
Added Windows(hda5)
Fatal: First sector of /dev/hda6 doesn't have a valid boot signature
root@testboxhda9:/home/jan#

So how to make a valid boot signature from the original lilo.conf file and how to install it into hda6 partiton?

JanMartin

Boot from the Knoppix CD and open a console window then:

sudo mount /dev/hda6 /mnt/hda6
sudo chroot /mnt/hda6 /sbin/lilo -b /dev/hda6

The second command will chroot (change the root) to the hda6 and then run lilo telling it to install itself to the partition for the install which is hda6. This should fix the error you get above so you can install the lilo with the changes and boot both. When you have used the hda6 option from the lilo that is installed to the MBR you will see a second lilo that is now installed into the / partition that is the hda6 install that you will have to use to boot that install.

[janmartin3]

Thanks P2C2E,
thanks Stephen,

its working.
Actualy I am writing this in my old beloved hda6-system.
There was no need tore boot from CD, just uisng the hda9 system.

This is what I did:
jan@testboxhda9:~$ su root
Password:
root@testboxhda9:/home/jan# mount /dev/hda6 /mnt/hda6
root@testboxhda9:/home/jan# chroot /mnt/hda6 /sbin/lilo -b /dev/hda6
Ignoring entry 'boot'
Warning: '/proc/partitions' does not exist, disk scan bypassed
Added Linux *
Added LinuxOLD
after that
root@testboxhda9:/home/jan# lilo
Added Linux *
Skipping /vmlinuz.old
Added Windows(hda1)
Added Windows(hda5)
Added Linux(hda3)
Added Knoppix(hda6) <- Jiiiiipeeeeeeee !
root@testboxhda9:/home/jan#

Indeed, now there are two lilos to run to boot hda6.
I am thinking about how to make the second one to run without interaction needed?

Thanks,
JanMartin

[janmartin3]

Did it!
Now the lilo.conf in hda6 does not show the red splash screen anymore, and runs immediately without any keystrokes needed.

JanMartin

It look like this:

vga=791
# /etc/lilo.conf - See: `lilo(8)' and `lilo.conf(5)',
# --------------- `install-mbr(8)', `/usr/share/doc/lilo/',
# and `/usr/share/doc/mbr/'.

# +---------------------------------------------------------------+
# | !! Reminder !! |
# | |
# | Don't forget to run `lilo' after you make changes to this |
# | conffile, `/boot/bootmess.txt', or install a new kernel. The |
# | computer will most likely fail to boot if a kernel-image |
# | post-install script or you don't remember to run `lilo'. |
# | |
# +---------------------------------------------------------------+

# Support LBA for large hard disks.
#
lba32

# Overrides the default mapping between harddisk names and the BIOS'
# harddisk order. Use with caution.
#disk=/dev/hde
# bios=0x81

#disk=/dev/sda
# bios=0x80

# Specifies the boot device. This is where Lilo installs its boot
# block. It can be either a partition, or the raw device, in which
# case it installs in the MBR, and will overwrite the current MBR.
#
#Next line switched off to avoid Ignoring entry 'boot' message.
#boot=/dev/hda

# Specifies the device that should be mounted as root. (`/')
#
root=/dev/hda6

# Enable map compaction:
# Tries to merge read requests for adjacent sectors into a single
# read request. This drastically reduces load time and keeps the
# map smaller. Using `compact' is especially recommended when
# booting from a floppy disk. It is disabled here by default
# because it doesn't always work.
#
# compact

# Installs the specified file as the new boot sector
# You have the choice between: bmp, compat, menu and text
# Look in /boot/ and in lilo.conf(5) manpage for details
#
install=/boot/boot-menu.b

# Specifies the location of the map file
#
map=/boot/map

# You can set a password here, and uncomment the `restricted' lines
# in the image definitions below to make it so that a password must
# be typed to boot anything but a default configuration. If a
# command line is given, other than one specified by an `append'
# statement in `lilo.conf', the password will be required, but a
# standard default boot will not require one.
#
# This will, for instance, prevent anyone with access to the
# console from booting with something like `Linux init=/bin/sh',
# and thus becoming `root' without proper authorization.
#
# Note that if you really need this type of security, you will
# likely also want to use `install-mbr' to reconfigure the MBR
# program, as well as set up your BIOS to disallow booting from
# removable disk or CD-ROM, then put a password on getting into the
# BIOS configuration as well. Please RTFM `install-mbr(8)'.
#
# password=tatercounter2000

# Specifies the number of deciseconds (0.1 seconds) LILO should
# wait before booting the first image.
#
delay=20

# You can put a customized boot message up if you like. If you use
# `prompt', and this computer may need to reboot unattended, you
# must specify a `timeout', or it will sit there forever waiting
# for a keypress. `single-key' goes with the `alias' lines in the
# `image' configurations below. eg: You can press `1' to boot
# `Linux', `2' to boot `LinuxOLD', if you uncomment the `alias'.
#
# message=/boot/bootmess.txt

#Next 2 lines switched off for not being asked what to load anymore.
#prompt
#timeout=150

# prompt
# single-key
# delay=100
# timeout=100

# Kernel command line options that apply to all installed images go
# here. See: The `boot-prompt-HOWO' and `kernel-parameters.txt' in
# the Linux kernel `Documentation' directory.
#
# append=""
append="hda=scsi hdb=scsi hdc=scsi hdd=scsi hde=scsi hdf=scsi hdg=scsi hdh=scsi apm=power-off nomce"

# Boot up Linux by default.
#
#default=Linux

default=Linux
image=/boot/vmlinuz
label=Linux
read-only

#2 lines switched of
#image=/vmlinuz.old
#label=LinuxOLD
#initrd=/boot/initrd.gz


#image=/boot/vmlinuz-2.4.22-xfs
# label=Linux
# initrd=/boot/initrd.gz
# read-only
#o restricted
#o alias=1

#image=/vmlinuz.old
# label=LinuxOLD
# read-only
# optional
#o restricted
#o alias=2

# If you have another OS on this machine to boot, you can uncomment the
# following lines, changing the device name on the `other' line to
# where your other OS' partition is.
#
# other=/dev/hda4
# label=HURD
# restricted
# alias=3

# rest switched of
#other=/dev/hda1
# label="Windows(hda1)"

#other=/dev/hda5
# label="Windows(hda5)"