Re: kernel-package system: install a boot block using the existing /etc/lilo.conf?

[Kevin McKinley <ronin2@bellatlantic.net>]

On Wed, 13 Aug 2003 19:36:17 -0600
bob@proulx.com (Bob Proulx) wrote:

> > A longer answer is that writing a new boot block with the existing
> > lilo.conf would simply re-write the current boot sector, which would
> > boot the old kernel.
> 
> Are we talking about the same question?  At the point that the
> question is asked if lilo should be run the new kernel is already
> installed, the symlinks pointing to it, and running lilo will set up
> the boot to go to the new kernel.
> 
> I guess it all depends on what is in your existing lilo.conf file.
> But if you are just doing the normal default Debian installed lilo.conf
> file it should be fine.

I don't normally use lilo -- I use grub instead, so before I released my
revision to the newbiedoc I installed the Woody base system on my trusty
Toshiba and used that installation to test my procedures.

When I got to the "install ... existing lilo.conf" question, if I answered
yes rebooting the system when the script finished would boot the old kernel.
Doing as I wrote would boot the new kernel.

 
> I have noticed a bug in the kernel-image*.postinst script which does
> not always get the /vmlinuz et al symlinks correct, leaving them
> pointing to the old kernel.  I tried debugging that problem but have
> not closed to root cause yet so I have not reported it yet.  I think
> perhaps it failed to update your symlinks when you had the failure.
> In that case you do need to correct the symlinks and run lilo again.
> I only see this when I am going forward and backward while hacking a
> new kernel.  It normally works when just moving forward.
> 
> > What you want to do is install a new boot block which refers to the new
> > kernel you just compiled.
> 
> Which should be the default.

I don't like the symlinks thing anyway -- I would prefer to refer to a
kernel by its full name (as grub does).

I agree though, that installing a new boot block referring to the new kernel
should be the default.
 
> P.S. Let me second the review that your 'newbiedoc' is excellent.

Thank you. If you can see ways to make it better please let me know.

Kevin