New Kernel Survival Strategies
Janina Sajka
janina at afb.net
Tue Oct 2 14:17:27 EDT 2001
Absolutely, all the way around.
Bill's is an ftp site that you can access via anonymous ftp at
speakup.octothorp.org.
Once there, cd /pub/redhat and further as appropriate. There is indeed a
full Redhat 7.1 installation set. The file you want, and it's path is:
/pub/redhat-7.1/d1/images/boot.img
This is the image for the floppy. If you don't already have it, you will
also need rawrite which is at:
/pub/redhat-7.1/d1/dosimages/rawrite.exe
This is a DOS executable for creating floppies from floppy image files.
NOTE: You may need to kill your screen reader while running rawrite in
order to avoid data corruption on the floppy. It may also be advisable to
run from an actual DOS boot, or a shutdown to MS-DOS as opposed to running
in a DOS window in Windows.
You can safely run your screen reader while answering questions from
rawrite. It will ask you what file you want to use for the image, what
drive to write to, and a third question probably like "press enter when
ready." I don't recall the exact sequence, but it's OK to wait until the
third question to kill speech. That way, you need only press enter and
wait for the floppy to stop spinning.
Good luck, and stay in touch about this. We'll get you up in linux yet!
<grin>
On Tue, 2 Oct 2001, Tim Burgess
wrote:
> Hi again,
>
> Do you have the URL for Bill's site and does he have such disks for
> Slackware (7.1 in my case)?
>
> Thanks yet again.
>
> Tim
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: speakup-admin at braille.uwo.ca
> [mailto:speakup-admin at braille.uwo.ca]On Behalf Of Janina Sajka
> Sent: 02 October 2001 18:18
> To: speakup at braille.uwo.ca
> Subject: RE: New Kernel Survival Strategies
>
>
> Hi, Tim:
>
> Best avenue back to your broken linux system may well be a speakup enabled
> floppy that can take you into rescue mode. You could do this with the
> Redhat installation boot floppies on Bill's site, for example:
>
> vmlinuz -s speakup_synth=ltlk
>
> or perhaps:
>
> vmlinuz rescue speakup_synth=dectlk
>
> Obviously, you would specify the correct synth you have.
>
> If you can get the machine up this way, your lilo.conf can be fixed.
>
> On Tue, 2
> Oct 2001, Tim Burgess wrote:
>
> > Hi and thanks.
> >
> > I'll give it a study and try again - this time I got as far as a
> successful
> > compile based on 2.2.18 with SpeakUp 0.10a. However I got a kernel panic
> > that's killed me and I don't know how to boot back to my /boot/vmlinuz.old
> > as I messed up lilo.conf. Looks like another rebuild. If it's true that
> we
> > learn by our mistakes then I'm going to wind up a real guru at this rate.
> >
> > Best wishes.
> >
> > Tim
> >
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: speakup-admin at braille.uwo.ca
> > [mailto:speakup-admin at braille.uwo.ca]On Behalf Of Janina Sajka
> > Sent: 02 October 2001 16:49
> > To: speakup at braille.uwo.ca
> > Subject: RE: New Kernel Survival Strategies
> >
> >
> > On Tue, 2 Oct 2001, Tim Burgess wrote:
> >
> > > Hi,
> > >
> > > This sounds like an excellent strategy to me. Would you be willing to
> > > provide your lilo.conf as a reference for us newbies who have just
> fallen
> > > foul of getting lilo.conf wrong?
> > >
> > No problem. Here it is. Beware, though, that your circumstances may be
> > different, i.e. lba32, vga=, initrd's, and such things.
> >
> > The other important survival tool is a bootable floppy disk. Here's my
> > /etc/lilo.conf:
> >
> > boot=/dev/hda
> > map=/boot/map
> > install=/boot/boot.b
> > compact
> > prompt
> > timeout=500
> > message=/boot/message
> > lba32
> > default=current
> > serial=0,9600N8
> >
> > image=/boot/new
> > label = new
> > alias = n
> > vga=0X317
> > initrd=/boot/initrd.img-new
> > read-only
> > root=/dev/hda1
> > append = "hdc=ide-scsi hde=ide-scsi"
> >
> > image = /boot/current
> > label=current
> > alias = c
> > vga=0X317
> > initrd=/boot/initrd.img
> > read-only
> > root=/dev/hda1
> > append = "hdc=ide-scsi hde=ide-scsi"
> >
> > image = /boot/current
> > label=express
> > alias = x
> > vga=0X317
> > initrd=/boot/initrd.img
> > read-only
> > root=/dev/hda1
> > append = "speakup_synth=dectlk hdc=ide-scsi hde=ide-scsi"
> >
> > image = /boot/current
> > label=litetalk
> > alias = l
> > vga=0X317
> > initrd=/boot/initrd.img
> > read-only
> > root=/dev/hda1
> > append = "speakup_synth=ltlk hdc=ide-scsi hde=ide-scsi"
> >
> > image = /boot/current
> > label=bns
> > alias = b
> > vga=0X317
> > initrd=/boot/initrd.img
> > read-only
> > root=/dev/hda1
> > append = "speakup_synth=bns hdc=ide-scsi hde=ide-scsi"
> >
> > image = /boot/previous
> > label=previous
> > alias = p
> > vga=0X317
> > initrd=/boot/initrd.img-previous
> > read-only
> > root=/dev/hda1
> > append = "hdc=ide-scsi hde=ide-scsi"
> >
> > other=/dev/hda3
> > optional
> > label=dos
> >
> > table = /dev/hda
> >
> > > Thanks.
> > >
> > > Tim
> > >
> > >
> > > -----Original Message-----
> > > From: speakup-admin at braille.uwo.ca
> > > [mailto:speakup-admin at braille.uwo.ca]On Behalf Of Janina Sajka
> > > Sent: 02 October 2001 14:53
> > > To: speakup at braille.uwo.ca
> > > Subject: New Kernel Survival Strategies
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > Well, since we're on the subject of new kernel strategies, I've changed
> > > the subject line.
> > >
> > > Now, I'd like to modestly offer my strategy.
> > >
> > > Here's what I do:
> > >
> > > I have three entries in my lilo.conf, previous, current, and new. These
> > > are the image labels. In my /boot directory, I symlink the appropriate
> > > vmlinuz to previous and current. New is actually symlinked to
> > > /usr/src/linux/arch/i386/boot/bzImage, which does work with my lilo and
> > > bios.
> > >
> > > Now, when I gen a new kernel, I have to actively select it during
> > > boot--and I have to specify the speakup synth parm.
> > >
> > > Previous is there mainly in case I make a mistake copying a new kernel
> > > into current.
> > >
> > > PS: I use several synths on my laptop--including none. Each of these is
> a
> > > separate entry in lilo.conf pointing to current and differes only on the
> > > append= line, of course.
> > >
> > > This has worked very well for me.
> > >
> > >
> > > On Tue, 2 Oct 2001, Kirk Wood wrote:
> > >
> > > > On Tue, 2 Oct 2001, Martin G. McCormick wrote:
> > > > > I second the advice to not fear configuring kernels. The
> > > > > main thing is to first do no harm. If you have a working kernel,
> > > > > by all means, save it. .....
> > > >
> > > > Better yet, just leave it just as it is. After you compile your new
> > kernel
> > > > copy/move it to the /boot directory (or partition) and then make
> another
> > > > entry in lilo.conf for the new kernel. You can copy everything from
> your
> > > > current (hopefully working) entry changing the label and the name of
> the
> > > > kernel itself. If this is the only modification, then you can boot
> back
> > by
> > > > simply doing nothing. If you want to try the new kernel hit the tab
> key
> > > > right as the computer starts to boot. Then type the label for hte new
> > > > kernel and hit enter.
> > > >
> > > > Things to avoid are believing you need to name your kernel just like
> the
> > > > one that is there (probably vmlinuz). This is great for making it so
> > that
> > > > anyone can find it. But you can always refer to lilo as well. I name
> > mine
> > > > with a combo of version info and other stuff (such as 2.2.17-music for
> > > > when I configured to use the also drivers). This makes it easy for me
> to
> > > > tell what was for what. I like to keep multiple kernels arround. If
> > > > something goes goofy in hardware one may be able to get by the
> problem.
> > > >
> > > > =======
> > > > Kirk Wood
> > > > Cpt.Kirk at 1tree.net
> > > >
> > > > "When I take action, I'm not going to fire a $2 million missle at
> > > > a $10 empty tent and hit a camel in the butt. It's going to be
> > decisive."
> > > > - President George Bush
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > _______________________________________________
> > > > Speakup mailing list
> > > > Speakup at braille.uwo.ca
> > > > http://speech.braille.uwo.ca/mailman/listinfo/speakup
> > > >
> > >
> > > --
> > >
> > > Janina Sajka, Director
> > > Technology Research and Development
> > > Governmental Relations Group
> > > American Foundation for the Blind (AFB)
> > >
> > > Email: janina at afb.net Phone: (202) 408-8175
> > >
> > > Chair, Accessibility SIG
> > > Open Electronic Book Forum (OEBF)
> > > http://www.openebook.org
> > >
> > > Will electronic books surpass print books? Read our white paper,
> > > Surpassing Gutenberg, at http://www.afb.org/ebook.asp
> > >
> > > Download a free sample Digital Talking Book edition of Martin Luther
> > > King Jr's inspiring "I Have A Dream" speech at
> > > http://www.afb.org/mlkweb.asp
> > >
> > > Learn how to make accessible software at
> > > http://www.afb.org/accessapp.asp
> > >
> > >
> > > _______________________________________________
> > > Speakup mailing list
> > > Speakup at braille.uwo.ca
> > > http://speech.braille.uwo.ca/mailman/listinfo/speakup
> > >
> > >
> > > _______________________________________________
> > > Speakup mailing list
> > > Speakup at braille.uwo.ca
> > > http://speech.braille.uwo.ca/mailman/listinfo/speakup
> > >
> >
> > --
> >
> > Janina Sajka, Director
> > Technology Research and Development
> > Governmental Relations Group
> > American Foundation for the Blind (AFB)
> >
> > Email: janina at afb.net Phone: (202) 408-8175
> >
> > Chair, Accessibility SIG
> > Open Electronic Book Forum (OEBF)
> > http://www.openebook.org
> >
> > Will electronic books surpass print books? Read our white paper,
> > Surpassing Gutenberg, at http://www.afb.org/ebook.asp
> >
> > Download a free sample Digital Talking Book edition of Martin Luther
> > King Jr's inspiring "I Have A Dream" speech at
> > http://www.afb.org/mlkweb.asp
> >
> > Learn how to make accessible software at
> > http://www.afb.org/accessapp.asp
> >
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > Speakup mailing list
> > Speakup at braille.uwo.ca
> > http://speech.braille.uwo.ca/mailman/listinfo/speakup
> >
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > Speakup mailing list
> > Speakup at braille.uwo.ca
> > http://speech.braille.uwo.ca/mailman/listinfo/speakup
> >
>
> --
>
> Janina Sajka, Director
> Technology Research and Development
> Governmental Relations Group
> American Foundation for the Blind (AFB)
>
> Email: janina at afb.net Phone: (202) 408-8175
>
> Chair, Accessibility SIG
> Open Electronic Book Forum (OEBF)
> http://www.openebook.org
>
> Will electronic books surpass print books? Read our white paper,
> Surpassing Gutenberg, at http://www.afb.org/ebook.asp
>
> Download a free sample Digital Talking Book edition of Martin Luther
> King Jr's inspiring "I Have A Dream" speech at
> http://www.afb.org/mlkweb.asp
>
> Learn how to make accessible software at
> http://www.afb.org/accessapp.asp
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Speakup mailing list
> Speakup at braille.uwo.ca
> http://speech.braille.uwo.ca/mailman/listinfo/speakup
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Speakup mailing list
> Speakup at braille.uwo.ca
> http://speech.braille.uwo.ca/mailman/listinfo/speakup
>
--
Janina Sajka, Director
Technology Research and Development
Governmental Relations Group
American Foundation for the Blind (AFB)
Email: janina at afb.net Phone: (202) 408-8175
Chair, Accessibility SIG
Open Electronic Book Forum (OEBF)
http://www.openebook.org
Will electronic books surpass print books? Read our white paper,
Surpassing Gutenberg, at http://www.afb.org/ebook.asp
Download a free sample Digital Talking Book edition of Martin Luther
King Jr's inspiring "I Have A Dream" speech at
http://www.afb.org/mlkweb.asp
Learn how to make accessible software at
http://www.afb.org/accessapp.asp
More information about the Speakup
mailing list