Linux bootdisk that doesn't need a ramdisk?

[user222]

Is it possible to create a Linux bootdisk (1.44M floppy) that doesn't need a ramdisk and read files straight from the disk? As far as I know, a DOS bootdisk doesn't need a ramdisk.

[WalGrom]

Hi.

Take a look at Lennart Benschop's site:
http://www.xs4all.nl/~lennartb/bootloaders/node1.html

But why would you want to do that?
The RAM disk image is compressed. It saves space on the floppy disk.
I'd recommend to build a smallest possible kernel esp. for your system.
But if your're going to build a boot floppy for generic systems, then using
an inital RAMdisk is the easiest way to be able to probe some modules.

Regards,
WalGrom

[user222]

Hi.

Take a look at Lennart Benschop's site:
http://www.xs4all.nl/~lennartb/bootloaders/node1.html

But why would you want to do that?
The RAM disk image is compressed. It saves space on the floppy disk.
I'd recommend to build a smallest possible kernel esp. for your system.
But if your're going to build a boot floppy for generic systems, then using
an inital RAMdisk is the easiest way to be able to probe some modules.

Regards,
WalGrom

The ramdisk makes it take longer to boot.

[WalGrom]

O.K. - THX - that's the point.

I think Benschop wrote something about creating a minix filesystem on the floppy disk
(in order to save memory).
Then you can just install LILO onto the floppy and create a small and /dev branch...

Oh - no.... Sorry. I posted the wrong link.
Here's about creating a bootable filesystem on a floppy:
http://www.xs4all.nl/~lennartb/bootloaders/node4.html

Regards,
WalGrom

[drakebasher]

Fantastic link, WalGrom! Thanks very much for that!