Linloader 0.40

Introduction

Linloader is RISC OS command line program for booting Linux on Acorn RiscPCs, RiscStations, Bush STBs and Castle's Iyonix. It does not provide a boot menu, or shut down the desktop. It does however boot gzipped kernels. Linloader is released under the GNU GPL and is © Timothy Baldwin and others.

Linloader is currently maintained by Vincent Sanders and Peter Naulls. you should contact Peter in the first instance about issues with linloader.

Disclaimer

Linloader is distributed in the hope that it will be useful, but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. See the GNU General Public License for more details.

Using Linloader

Options

Short OptionLong OptionDescription
-k--kernelRISC OS filename of the kernel to be booted, if this option is omitted the first non-option argument is used as the kernel filename.
-t--tagPass a tagged list to the kernel for boot options instead of the old param struct. This should be used where possible, as the old style is deprecated, and may not boot kernels successfully in some circumstances.
-i--initrdRISC OS filename of the initial ram disc (initrd) to be loaded, alternatively a initial ram disc may be specified by a argument beginning "initrd=".
-c--no-clearDo not clear the screen.
-q--quietDo not display banner.
-e--extra-argumentsPrompt for extra kernel arguments before clearing the screen or displaying the banner.
--dry-runDo a dry run, do not actually boot the kernel, but instead wait for a keypress, then exit. This is intended for testing Linloader.
-h--helpShow help text.
--creditsShow credits.

Long options may be abbreviated provided they remain unique, though this feature may be removed in future. If Linloader is given an option of -- then all following arguments are not treated as options, this is useful if you want to pass an argument to the kernel which begins with -.

Examples

LOADLIN like options

By prefixing the arguments with -- Linloader can be made to accept options like those of LOADLIN.

Building Linloader

Currently to build Linloader you need zlib, OSLib and Acorn/Castle C/C++.

linloader can also be built with GCC targetting the SharedCLibrary, and this is now the default build option.

Credits

Changes

Changes since version 0.36

Changes since version 0.35

Changes since version 0.20