What do you think is the Best Boot Manager?

[d2tu]

I'm looking for a boot manager that is free 🙂 I'm using LiLo right now. Any other suggestions? I'm planning on using Win98 SE, 2000, Suse Linux, Linux from Scratch, and another linux distro.

 

[riddelrp]

I use 2K's loader, don't know if Linux likes being loaded from 2K's loader, but I think it can be done.

-Ryan

 

[kd7fhd]

Although I don't use it (I bought System Commander), I seem to remember that Ranish has a pretty decent boot mananger:

http://www.users.intercom.com/~ranish/part/


Be CAREFUL. This is partitioning software, so don't destroy your partitions. Read the docs first.

 

[DeeK]

Grub looks good, I just can't get it to work right. Whenever I have it chain-load Win98, DOS starts and can only see the C: drive. Big problem since my Windows directory is on D:.

Here's a few benefits of Grub:
- has a built-in command console for troubleshooting and booting stuff when you haven't defined a menu.lst file
- natively reads ext2 and reiserfs, so no need to update your boot sector when you update your kernel.
- of course, it can chain-load other OSes
- no need for a "mem=" line
- no 1024 cylinder limit

There's probably a few major things I've missed, but those who have used it successfully thing it's the greatest thing since sliced bread.

 

[DamienVorlion]

never mind

 

[Kadesh]

Does Grub really get rid of the "mem=" line? I thought that was due to the kernel© Anyway, Grub is considered unstable and Lilo hasn't had the 1024 cyl problem for a while©

 

[rbV5]

LiLo works fine for me.

 

[MGMorden]

Xosl is very good. A nice GUI system to select your stuff in. Lilo is a good no-nonsense selector though (of course you're going to have to use lilo or grub or something still on your linux partition itself; xosl is just the manager not the loader).

 

[greenkabbage]

I use Powerquest boot magic that comes with partition magic, I didn't have any problems so far, it will only install on FAT or FAT32 partitions i think... Anybody want to comment on Bootmagic? Wouldn't hurt to hear others opinions. THanks