Linux bootdisk that doesn't need a ramdisk?

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.

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

Quote:

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Originally Posted by 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

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The ramdisk makes it take longer to boot.

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

Fantastic link, WalGrom! Thanks very much for that! :D