kexec-loader v2.1, Another release, later then I intended External links Options

[solemnwarning]

I haven't felt like working on kexec-loader much lately, so it's sat for weeks at a time with no changes. This release is mostly bugfixes and UI improvements.

Download page

[solemnwarning]

I'm planning to update the readme to use more examples instead of being like a reference manual. How easy do you think downloading and using kernel modules is?

[was_jaclaz]

I'm planning to update the readme to use more examples instead of being like a reference manual. How easy do you think downloading and using kernel modules is?

Good, the more documentation and examples there are, the better.

How easy do you think downloading and using kernel modules is?

I beg your pardon?

jaclaz

[solemnwarning]

I beg your pardon?

Eh?

[was_jaclaz]

Eh?

I mean, before asking how easy it is, you should make sure that the other people actually know what you are talking about.

I never downloaded a kernel module in my life , let alone attempting actually using it.

Is it serious, doctor?




jaclaz

[solemnwarning]

kexec-loader v2.1.1 released

I've rewritten the docs as suggested here to have examples for common usage and a reference section at the end to cover everything else.

kexec-loader-2.1.1-floppy.img.gz
modules-2.6.30.5-1.tar.gz
kexec-loader-2.1.1-readme.html

Updated config loading code to look for kxloader.cfg if there is no
kexec-loader.conf file.

Changed behaviour of timeout directive: 0 timeout will boot instantly
instead of waiting forever, use "off" to force no timeout. The default
setting is "off", but will be overridden by menu.lst unless explicitly
set in kexec-loader.conf.

Fixed bug: Module loading failed due to my lack of testing.

Changed ls command to not output timestamps or list ./.. directories.

Fixed bug: Append option ignored and cmdline used in its place.

Fixed bug: Error from kexec-tools dying not visible when booting menu
target as alert was not set on failure.

Added support for modules packed in TAR archives, optionally compressed
with LZMA using the .tlz extension.

[Bicephale]

Hi SolemnWarning,

Thank you for finally allowing 8.3 DOS filenaming relatively to 'kexec-loader.conf' which
can now be replaced by 'kxloader.cfg', it seems! I'm glad you considered my suggestion.

[Bicephale]

Would somebody please tell me how to merge these two diskettes as one:

http://www.moriy.com/dr-dos/downloads/
'dr70570c.img' ('DR-DOS v7.05.70c', 2009-May-25)

http://www.solemnwarning.net/kexec-loader/download.cgi
'kexec-loader-2.1.1-floppy.img.gz' ('KExec-Loader v2.1.1', 2009-Aug-30)

Both use 'SysLinux' so i get some success if i edit its configuration file:

'SysLinux.CFG'

CODE

# Adapted for use with 'Slax' Linux
default plop
prompt 1
timeout 50
say CLI:  plop, kexec, dos, bcdl
display /Boot/Help.msg
F1 /Boot/Aide.msg
F0 /Boot/Help.msg

label bcdl
menu label Bootable CD Loader
kernel /bcdl.bin

label dos
menu label Caldera Dr-DOS v7.05.70c
kernel /drdos/FAT12FD.BSS

label kexec
menu label KExec-Loader v2.1.1 (2009-Aug)
kernel /vmlinuz initrd=/initrd.img

label plop
menu label PLoP BootManager v5.0.4
kernel /PLPBt
#append initrd=/plpbt.igz

Unfortunately, even if 'KExec-Loader v2.1.1' appears to load as planned
a time comes when it stalls complaining about some "Kermel Panic"...



Thanks to the new DOS 8.3 file naming support, 'kxloader.cfg' can now
be edited using nothing but the hybrid diskette itself, which is one of
my present objectives relatively to the merging... I was hoping there
could be someone here who might figure out what i've done wrong.

[was_jaclaz]

At first sight this:

label kexec
menu label KExec-Loader v2.1.1 (2009-Aug)
kernel /vmlinuz initrd=/initrd.img

should really be:

label kexec
menu label KExec-Loader v2.1.1 (2009-Aug)
KERNEL /vmlinuz
APPEND initrd=/initrd.img

jaclaz

[Bicephale]

Thank you for your answer. I downloaded the same 'SysLinux' version
as that which is used by 'KExec-Loader v2.1.1' (e.g. v3.63) and created
an MS-DOS v7.10a (W98) bootable diskette where 'SysLinux' has been
installed. Then, i used two seperated lines instead of one as you have
recommended and now 'KExec-Loader' loads further until it reaches
an endless loop:

Searching for boot disk...
Press any key to abort

That's an improvement because when i press "any key" i'm dropped
to the 'KExec-Loader' CLI from which i've effectively been able to
initiate the lauching of 'Slax' installed on an SD card inserted after i
got into that CLI. Normally, the 'KExec-Loader' diskette automatically
offers a menu with two items to choose from... I'm not sure where to
look next but at least 'PLoP', 'MS-DOS' and 'KExec-Loader' are now
working from the same diskette - with non fatal failures...

Any additional hints?