From: drew@ophelia.cs.colorado.edu (Drew Eckhardt)
Subject: Re: Linux from floppy and beyond
Keywords: Linux Question
Organization: University of Colorado at Boulder
Distribution: usa
Date: Mon, 31 Aug 1992 03:37:18 GMT

In article <BttspA.59u@mentor.cc.purdue.edu> eoi@mace.cc.purdue.edu (Chenmin Zhang) writes:
>
>    I have some basic question concerning running linux from floppy.
>
>    I got the files from tsx-11 ftp cite and installed the linux to 2 1.44M
>floppy.  I have following question which I couldn't find in the FAQ file.
>
>    1). When I first boot the linux and then logout, I fould my file system
>        was crashed.  According the refering the FAQ, I found that I should
>        run "sync" command before logout, and according to the manaul, this
>        procedure is a must.  Why don't include the "Sync" stuff in the 
>        logout file so nobody can forget?

If the machine stays up, it's uneccessary.  You only have to sync 
when you shutdown.  

>    2). Besides linux, I am also a DOS user.  I don't know when's the best 
>        time to pull off the floppy (linux operating system) from the drive
>        when the machine is booting?   It's better to take it out immediately
>        after logout from Linux or during the process of booting DOS?

After you have sync'd thrice and shutdown. 

>    3). Why there isn't a password protection for root on the floppy?  Is there

Why not?  If there was a root password, users downloading Linux for 
the first time couldn't log in.  Also, people often use the distribution 
disks as a backup for their "real" systems, which makes it nice to 
get in without a password.

>        a password protection if I install it on the hard drive?

Simply add an encrypted password to the password field of 
root's /etc/passwd entry.  You now have a root password.  passwd 
will do this for you - there are Linux versions floating around in
binary form for both the Shadow password suite and for the normal
password file.

>
>    4). Is there "vi" editor in Linux?

Yes, elvis has been compiled for Linux, and is available for 
anonymous FTP from the Linux archive sites.

>
>    5).  Is there such utility that when Control_Alt_Del is pressed, the
>        system automatically executes normal logout sequence to prevent any
>        file corruption?  Is there any way I can selectively boot Linux

No.  How ever, C-A-D can be disabled with the appropriate syscall, 
which requires you to run a shutdown / reboot program that does this 
for you.

>        when I hold down a particular key, otherwise boot DOS, in stead of

Yes.  There are "MBR", or master boot record, replacements that replace the 
MBR on your hard disk.  These will let you choose a Linux or other 
partition to boot at boottime, with a default provided.

Shoelace, and LILO both include such a program.

>        changing the dos FAT area?

The DOS FAT has nothing to do with this.

-- 
Microsoft is responsible for propogating the evils it calls DOS and Windows, 
IBM for AIX (appropriately called Aches by those having to administer it), but 
marketing's sins don't come close to those of legal departments.
Boycott AT&T for their absurd anti-BSDI lawsuit.
Newsgroups: comp.os.linux