Acronis os selector 8.0 User Manual
Acronis OS Selector can manage the Windows NT/2000/XP system folders only if
they reside on a FAT16/FAT32 partition.
9.3.5 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 version 3.51 and 4.0 recognizes the FAT16 and NTFS file
systems, Windows 2000 also recognizes the FAT32 file system.
• Boot partition of Windows NT version 3.51 and 4.0 must be located
among the first 2 gigabytes of the hard disk.
9.4 Linux
Acronis OS Selector automatically detects and supports any Linux distribution
if it is booted by LILO or ASPLoader installed in MBR, or if it is booted by any
loader installed in the boot sector of the Linux partition.
if it is booted by LILO or ASPLoader installed in 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).
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 details
(ASPLoader works similar to it).
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 details
(ASPLoader works similar to it).
The Linux kernel is stored in some file, and the loader has to somehow load it
into memory. Instead of supporting multiple file systems where the kernel might
be stored, LILO developers chose a simpler and a 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.
into memory. Instead of supporting multiple file systems where the kernel might
be stored, LILO developers chose a simpler and a 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 technique manifests itself when a Linux partition is
moved or reduced in size. In this case Linux becomes unbootable, and a
Linux boot floppy is required to re-activate the loader.
moved or reduced in size. In this case Linux becomes unbootable, and a
Linux boot floppy is required to re-activate the loader.
9.5
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.
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.
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