Elks Distribution Edition (EDE) - Update

Neil Holmes
2002-06-26T08:32:39Z

I have put my latest "Dev" version up on the ftp site this morning. This can
be accessed through my EDE web site :-

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/neiluk/elks-distro/

The reason for my posting this is that it represents a significant step
forwards from the previous stable version.

Features of Latest EDE Dev Version
==================================
- Implements Pascals Bootkit
- Will allow Dos and ELKS multi-boot
- Will allow ELKS to be installed anywhere on disk one (bda)

I have had to go back to 2 install floppy disks for now (Image2 and Image3
in the EDE.zip download). This is because I need to carry 4 boot images to
allow for root locations of bda1 through to bda4. The usual dd methods apply
for converting the image files to floppy disks. Image2 represents the main
install disk. Image3 is a stripped down version of Image2 that installs
kernel only.

PLEASE NOTE : the reboot message at the end of install disk 1 tells you to
remove any floppies when it completes. Leave floppy 2 in the drive and
reboot. This is only temporary.

PLEASE NOTE : this is a development version and care should be taken with
its use. Don't use it on a system that you don't want to trash !

This version of EDE works in DOSEMU too. Though reboot does not work in
dosemu so you will need to "dos -A" with disk 2 in the drive to complete
install.

I haven't tried it in BOCHS but I think it would be ok.

I have 2 test systems

The first is a 486 configured as follows :-

bda1 = type 6 (DOS)
bda2 = type 80 (Elks)
bda3 = type 83 (Linux Native)
bda4 = type 82 (Linux Swap)

The install will try and set up a menu option for Linux in Bootkit. This
option does not seem to work as yet. Not sure why. (Any ideas Pascal ?) I
have wrapped lilo around the above configuration so I only get my bootkit
menu when I select elks from lilo.

The second is a 286 configured as follows :-

bda1 = type 6 (DOS)
bda2 = type 80 (ELKS)

This install worked perfectly. The system boots into Bootkit and I am able
to successfully select either DOS or ELKS.

EDE Issues
==========
- umount won't work at the end of the install shell (it says disk busy even
though I don't think it is)
- knl is required so that I can go back to one floppy
- only installs to bda
- 0.1.0 fdisk/mkfs required so install disk can be latest kernel
- still requires a dos fdisk prior to commence install
- partype appears to fail sometimes. I have a couple of "bogus" partype
checks that catch the errors before I run the partype that I need.

I would be very greatful of some feedback on this.

Many Thanks

Have fun

Neil