Very Computer

Bob T.

Quote:> I copied Linux partitions and a Windows partition to a larger drive
> using cp -a on Linux after partitioning the drive and creating the
> appropriate file systems. After running lilo on the new drive, Linux
> boots fine; Windows doesn't: I just get "Loading Windows 95" and then
> nothing happens. Is there something that has to be copied but isn't
> copied by cp -a?

The thing to do in this case is to make a DOS boot disk (find a 9x
machine that can do this, it seems to be impossible with 'DozeXP) with
"FORMAT /S A:" , then "COPY C:\WINDOWS\COMMAND\SYS.COM A:" , then boot
from that DOS boot disk and execute SYS C: .  That will get IO.SYS
straightened out, and you'll be able to boot 'Doze9x.

There is, AFAIK, no way to do this within Linux.  Next time, to do a
system backup of a FAT32 partition, use "partimage", available at
http://www.partimage.org/ , since that has a good UI and will keep track
of things like the position of IO.SYS (for DOS) and the positions of
kernel images and loading maps (for Linux).

--
Matt G|There is no Darkness in Eternity/But only Light too dim for us to see
Brainbench MVP for Linux Admin /
http://www.brainbench.com     /  "He is a rhythmic movement of the
-----------------------------/    penguins, is Tux." --MegaHAL

 >> I copied Linux partitions and a Windows partition to a larger drive
 >> using cp -a on Linux after partitioning the drive and creating the
 >> appropriate file systems. After running lilo on the new drive, Linux
 >> boots fine; Windows doesn't: I just get "Loading Windows 95" and
 >> then nothing happens. Is there something that has to be copied but
 >> isn't copied by cp -a?

 > Welcome to the intricacies of the Windoze boot process! The problem
 > is that 'Doze9x wants to have the first sector of IO.SYS in a special
 > location on the hard disk, namely the first sector of the partition.
 > This used to be common knowledge.

I have vague memories of this from when I last used Windows, about 6
years ago. This is my daughter's box that I'm "upgrading".

 > The thing to do in this case is to make a DOS boot disk (find a 9x
 > machine that can do this, it seems to be impossible with 'DozeXP)
 > with "FORMAT /S A:" , then "COPY C:\WINDOWS\COMMAND\SYS.COM A:" ,
 > then boot from that DOS boot disk and execute SYS C: . That will get
 > IO.SYS straightened out, and you'll be able to boot 'Doze9x.

Done. Thanks. I hate having to pay a Windows service guy big bucks for
30 seconds of work (and then to be denied the relevant information when
I ask for it).

Bob T.