Re: Apologies WAS: [tlug] new computer configuration

[Godwin Stewart <gstewart@example.com>]

On Thu, 27 Jun 2002 10:24:11 -0600, Matt Gushee <mgushee@example.com>
wrote to tlug@example.com:

> You're mistaken. Linux has no need for primary partitions at all. There
> is a restriction, however, on where the boot kernel can be located: the
> partition containing it must be entirely within the first 1024 cylinders
> of the hard disk.

Actually, newer versions of LILO no longer impose this restriction. If the
machine's BIOS handles the extended int 0x13 functions then your kernel can
be located anywhere.

> That used to mean 1GB but maybe modern BIOSes and LBA have raised that
> limit a bit

Yep.

1024cyl * 255 heads * 63 spt * 512 b/s = 7.84GB (assuming 1GB = 2^30 bytes,
not 10^9 bytes as hard disk manufacturers would have you believe because it
makes disks look nearly 10% bigger :) )

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