Datasheet

“main” (Installation and Administration) — 2004/6/25 — 13:29 — page 126 — #152

Also refer to the SDB article http://portal.suse.com/sdb/en/

2002/10/81_acpi.html.

If unexplainable errors occur when the kernel is loaded or during the in-

stallation, select ‘Memory Test’ in the boot menu to check the memory.

Linux requires the hardware to meet high standards, which means the

memory and its timing must be set correctly. More information is avail-

able at http://portal.suse.com/sdb/en/2001/05/thallma_

memtest86.html. If possible, run the memory test overnight.

3.4 Starting SUSE LINUX

Following the installation, decide how to boot Linux for daily operations.

The following overview introduces various alternatives for booting Linux.

The most suitable method depends on the intended purpose.

Boot Disk You can boot Linux from a boot disk. This approach will always

work and is easy. The boot disk can be created with YaST. See Sec-

tion 2.8.3 on page 99.

The boot disk is a useful interim solution if you have difﬁculties con-

ﬁguring the other possibilities or if you want to postpone the decision

regarding the ﬁnal boot mechanism. A boot disk may also be a suit-

able solution in connection with OS/2 or Windows NT.

Linux Boot Loader The most versatile and technically elegant solu-

tion for booting your system is the use of a Linux boot manager like

GRUB (Grand Uniﬁed Bootloader) or LILO (Linux Loader), which

both allow selection from different operating systems prior to boot-

ing. The boot loader can either be conﬁgured during installation or

later with the help of YaST.

Caution

There are BIOS variants that check the structure of the boot sector

(MBR) and erroneously display a virus warning after the instal-

lation of GRUB or LILO. Solve this problem by entering the BIOS

and looking for corresponding adjustable settings. For example,

switch off ‘virus protection’. You can switch this option back

on again later. It is unnecessary, however, if Linux is the only

operating system you use.

Caution

126 3.4. Starting SUSE LINUX