Slackware Linux Essentials
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7.2 LOADLIN

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The other booting option that comes with Slackware Linux is LOADLIN. LOADLIN is a DOS -executable that can be used to start Linux from a running DOS system. It requires the -Linux kernel to be on the DOS partition so that LOADLIN can load it and properly boot the -system.

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During the installation process, LOADLIN will be copied to root's home directory as a -.ZIP file. There is no automatic setup process for LOADLIN. You will need to copy the -Linux kernel (typically /boot/vmlinuz) and the LOADLIN file -from root's home directory to the DOS partition.

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LOADLIN is useful if you would like to make a boot menu on your DOS partition. A menu -could be added to your AUTOEXEC.BAT file that would allow you -to pick between Linux or DOS. A choice of Linux would run LOADLIN, thus booting your -Slackware system. This AUTOEXEC.BAT file under Windows 95 will -provide a sufficient boot menu:

- - - - - -

-   @ECHO OFF
-   SET PROMPT=$P$G
-   SET PATH=C:\WINDOWS;C:\WINDOWS\COMMAND;C:\
-   CLS
-   ECHO Please Select Your Operating System:
-   ECHO.
-   ECHO [1] Slackware Linux
-   ECHO [2] Windows 95
-   ECHO.
-   CHOICE /C:12 "Selection? -> "
-   IF ERRORLEVEL 2 GOTO WIN
-   IF ERRORLEVEL 1 GOTO LINUX
-   :WIN
-   CLS
-   ECHO Starting Windows 95...
-   WIN
-   GOTO END
-   :LINUX
-   ECHO Starting Slackware Linux...
-   CD \LINUX
-   LOADLIN C:\LINUX\VMLINUZ ROOT=<root partition device> RO
-   GOTO END
-   :END
-

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You will want to specify your root partition as a Linux device name, like /dev/hda2 or something else. You can always use LOADLIN at the -command line. You simply use it in the same manner as it is in the example above. The -LOADLIN documentation comes with many examples on how to use it.