Operation Manual

Particularities of Operating System Function
120
Copyright © Acronis, Inc., 2000–2005
B.3.5 Limitations
Different Windows NT/2000/XP versions have the following limitations:
• For any Windows NT/2000/XP version, the boot partition must be a primary
partition of the first hard disk
• Windows NT versions 3.51 and 4.0 recognize the FAT16 and NTFS file
systems, Windows 2000 also recognizes the FAT32 file system
• The boot partition of Windows NT version 3.51 and 4.0 must be located
among the first 2 gigabytes of the hard disk
B.4 Linux
Acronis Disk Director Suite automatically detects and supports any Linux
distribution if it is booted by Lilo or ASPLoader installed in the MBR, or if it is
booted by any loader installed in the boot sector of the Linux partition.
Usually Linux itself is installed on an Ext2, Ext3 or ReiserFS partition, which can
be both primary and logical, and can be located on any hard disk. Linux also
requires another partition to manage its virtual memory (Linux Swap).
Strictly speaking, the loader is not a part of an operating system, its main function is
to load the Linux kernel into memory and pass control to it. Since Lilo is the most
common Linux loader, let us describe its work in more detail (ASPLoader works in a
similar manner).
The Linux kernel is stored in a file, and the loader has to load it into memory.
Instead of supporting multiple file systems where the kernel might be stored, Lilo
developers chose a simpler and more universal way. The loader just stores the
location of the kernel file in its data structures. These structures are created by a
special activation program called «lilo», and the process itself is called «activation».
Since this program is run from Linux, the features of the latter allow it to easily
locate any file on a disk.
The disadvantage of such a technique manifests itself when a Linux partition is
moved or reduced in size. In that case, Linux becomes unbootable, and a Linux
boot floppy is required to re-activate the loader.
B.5 Other Operating Systems
Other operating systems are usually installed on their own file systems. They can
have limitations to the location of the boot partition and support of other file
systems. It is useful to know this information prior to installing a new operating
system on the computer.
Acronis Disk Director Suite automatically detects even operating systems
unknown to it, if they are booted from the boot sector.