Windows 95 Overwrites Linux Boot Manager

• Microsoft Windows 95

SYMPTOMS

When you install Microsoft Windows 95 on a computer that has the Linux operating system installed, Windows 95 may overwrite or deactivate the Linux boot manager (LILO, or Linux Loader). As a result, you can no longer access the Linux operating system.

CAUSE

The Linux boot manager (LILO) can be installed in two ways. It can be installed to the hard disk's Master Boot Record (MBR), or to the root directory or superblock (in Linux terminology) of the Linux partition. A superblock installation means that the Linux partition should be the active partition. Windows 95 Setup makes the primary MS-DOS partition in which it is installed the active partition, causing LILO to be bypassed.

If LILO is installed in the MBR, it is overwritten by Windows 95 Setup.

RESOLUTION

To correct this problem, use one of the following methods:

• If LILO was installed to the MBR, follow these steps:

  1. Restart the computer using a bootable Linux floppy disk.

  2. Run the LILOCONFIG program from the floppy drive.

• If LILO was installed to the superblock, use the FDISK command to activate the Linux partition.

MORE INFORMATION

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