Locate the
kernel image you are currently using. If you use LILO, have a look
at the /etc/lilo.conf file. Here's an example lilo.conf file: boot=/dev/hda1
map=/boot/map
install=/boot/boot.b
prompt
timeout=0
image=/boot/vmlinuz
label=linux
root=/dev/hda7
read-only
The image= option
indicates which kernel image you're using.
Sometimes image= points
to a symlink (a shortcut file for you Windows users). You'll need to
know the actual file that the symlink points to:
ls -al /boot/vmlinuz
lrwxrwxrwx 1 root root 20 Feb 19 18:32 /boot/vmlinuz -> vmlinuz-2.2.14-15mdk
Here vmlinuz points to
vmlinuz-2.2.14-15mdk .
Method #1, The dd
CommandNow we'll use the dd command to copy the kernel image to a
floppy disk. Insert the floppy disk prior to entering the
dd command, but don't mount
it. dd needs to write raw
data to the disk, which is not possible if you mount the drive. Now
type the following as root: dd if=/boot/vmlinuz of=/dev/fd0 bs=8192
This is okay because dd
follows the symlink to the right file (vmlinuz-2.2.14-15mdk). You
could have also used the complete file name. dd if=/boot/vmlinuz-2.2.14-15mdk of=/dev/fd0 bs=8192
Method #2, The mkbootdisk Commandmkbootdisk needs to know the version of
your kernel. In this example, the version is 2.2.14-15mdk, which is
just the last part of vmlinuz-2.2.14-15mdk. If your kernel doesn't
have any version information in the filename, pick the latest kernel
version from the /lib/modules directory.
ls /lib/modules
2.2.13-22mdk 2.2.14-15mdk
Now type the following as root: mkbootdisk --verbose --device /dev/fd0 2.2.14-15mdk
With the method, we have the option of using a rescue disk along
with our boot disk at boot time. A rescue disk contains various
utilities to fix problems in Linux.
Now that you have created a boot disk using Method #1 or #2, test
the boot disk out by rebooting the computer with the disk still in
the drive. This is an important step, otherwise you won't know
whether it will work when you need it.
If you're locked out of Linux, and require a boot disk to get
back in or the boot disk you have doesn't work, this page contains
links to pre-made boot disks: http://www.linuxdoc.org/HOWTO/Bootdisk-HOWTO/premade.html
If you have access to a DOS machine, I recommend the Small Floppy
Rescue System: http://www.ibiblio.org/pub/Linux/system/recovery/ramf-90.exe
For more information on Linux boot disk or creating your own
rescue disk, consult the Linux Bootdisk HOWTO at: http://www.linuxdoc.org/HOWTO/Bootdisk-HOWTO/index.html
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