Boot loaders

I have a good rescue DVD, it is very helpful to fix computers.

It is a multiboot DVD which includes Windowses installations, some Windows Live, Hiren’s Boot CD, System Rescue CD, Acronis Boot CD and something else. The list changes all the time because I look up for improvements.

I am using now a tool called Bootable CD Wizard. This is a very simple boot loader for CD which allows everything you need:
1. Support for gif format in logo.
2. Simple to use.
3. Can boot almost everything. It boots Windows installation , Linux installation without any problems.
4. Can boot ISO image directly ! You just write a path and it works.

The only problem is a lack of USB support. I know that some day I will need it, so I have started searching for something better.
The candidates are: ISOLinux, GRUB, GRUB2.
It is easy enough to install them to the CD but it is not easy to make them work.
I did not find how to load ISOLinux from GRUB or GRUB2. It just not as simple as it is done using BCDW.
I did not find how to load ISOLinux from ISOLinux, it didn’t work for me either. Here I can just edit isolinux.cfg but it is not what I want..

Sounds strange but program from 2004 beats the new programs from 2009!!
I think that all my needs can be satisfied using GRUB or ISOLinux but the solution will not be intuitive like it is done in BCDW.
Some day the problem will be solved, some day.

Netbook Remix

Have you heard about netbook ? It is a small computer with a small display. I had Asus 701 model. The main OS was Linux with english and no translation. The goal was installation a normal system with russian interface.

First I looked at Windows XP Tiny edition it looked interesting. I even found how to boot Hiren’s Boot CD from USB and run Windows installation.

Everything was prepared but it was found. Eeebuntu!

The main problem with all strange hardware is driver for all. I assumed about difficulty finding driver for Wi-Fi network adapter and web cam for Windows. And there it is all packed, no need to look in all internet.

So was it.

 

The other interesting part is netbook remix, nbr-launcher. It is very intuitive and minimalistic interface. It is good for touchpads because you have no need to scroll in menus and good for those who want simplicity in their life.

IMHO it is good for desktops too.

Anyway eeebuntu was a good choice, russian interface was completely installed, every program worked as expected. There was enough space for OpenOffice, Skype, many games and even for WINE Finally about 250Mb was left free.

In any way you have to buy some USB stick to have all things close to heart so it is ok.

Currently the applets work only in Gnome. KDE will be supported some day, I hope.

 

References:

Eeebuntu

Ubuntu Netbook Remix - there you have a nice video. 

Netbook Remix