Date: Wed, 1 May 1996 18:49:56 -0700 (PDT) From: Jim Dennis <jimd@mistery.mcafee.com> To: dwhite@resnet.uoregon.edu Cc: craigh@bugsoft.com, questions@freebsd.org Subject: Re: simple install questions Message-ID: <199605020149.SAA00371@mistery.mcafee.com> In-Reply-To: <Pine.BSF.3.91.960501162441.12245E-100000@riley-net170-164.uoregon.edu> from "Doug White" at May 1, 96 04:27:17 pm
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> > On Wed, 1 May 1996, Craig A. Heilman wrote: > > I posted once before but I think the length of my message may have scared > > everyone away :-). > > > > System: > > 486DX2-80, 16 MB RAM > > 520 MB IDE drive for DOS/Windoze > > Adaptec 1542CP SCSI controller > > 1.08 GB SCSI drive for FreeBSD > > > > Questions: > > > > 1. How does one capture boot information to file when installing FreeBSD? > > It's in a command called "dmesg", which you can access from the > holographic shell (which doesn't start up until install starts). I heard a rumor that someone on the core team might be working on some enhancements to the console driver (like an option in the scrollback buffer to dump to a file -- or support for virtual console cut and paste -- similar to Linux' "selection" utility -- or preferably more like the old DESQview "mark and transfer" feature. Until then use dmesg and/or look in the /var/log/messages > > > 2. Is it a good idea to put a small (20MB?) DOS partition on the SCSI drive > > for emergencies? > > It's a good idea to put one there for geometry purposes, but DOS can't > access the FreeBSD partition. I highly recommend either a DOS partition or a DOS bootable floppy. When you have to troubleshoot a hardware problem -- that's the way to go (all of the major PC hardware diagnostics packages like CheckIt, Norton's NDIAGS, AMI DIAGS, etc are DOS programs -- and, since DOS is just a program loader, it's significantly easier to isolate the problems. Finally (more than any other reason) when you call a hardware support line to get an RMA or for any support they'll inevitably ask: "What does it do under DOS?" > > > 3. Should I use BootEasy or OSBS? > > >From what I understand, OSBS is more robust, but it's personal choice. I've heard (but have yet to test) that you can use LOADLIN.EXE to load a FreeBSD kernel. This is a DOS program that's designed to load a Linux kernel. Basically it can load a kernel regardless of where your root partition resides. (Otherwise you must ensure that the kernel is on a device that can be access by the machine's BIOS -- which is the number one source of FreeBSD and Linux installation problems). Jim Dennis, System Administrator, McAfee Associates
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