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A boot loader is a program that is found by the system ["BIOS"] (or EFI) in the boot sector of your storage device (floppy or hard drive's WikiPedia:Master_boot_record), and which locates and starts your ["operating system"] ( ["Linux"] ) for you. A boot loader is a program that is found by the system [[BIOS]] (or EFI) in the boot sector of your storage device (floppy or hard drive's WikiPedia:Master_boot_record), and which locates and starts your [[operating_system]] ( [[Linux]] ) for you.
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 [[TableOfContents(2)]]  <<TableOfContents(2)>>
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||<tablestyle="margin-left:10%">Architecture || Default[[BR]]Bootloader || Alternatives [[BR]]Bootloader|| DebianInstaller [[BR]] Bootloader||
||["i386"], [:DebianAMD64:amd64] (BIOS) || grub || lilo, syslinux, grub-pc-v2 || syslinux | pxelinux ||
||["i386"], [:DebianAMD64:amd64] (EFI) || ? || lilo, syslinux, grub-efi-v2 || ||
||[:PowerPC:powerpc] (!NewWorld) || yaboot || || ||
||[:PowerPC:powerpc] (!OldWorld) || ? || quick, yaboot || ||
||[:SunSparc:sparc] || silo || || ||
||[:
HP-PArisc:hppa]    || palo || || ||
||[:
MIPSPort:mips]   || || || ||
||[:
M68k:m68k]     || || || ||
||<tablestyle="margin-left:10%">Architecture || Default<<BR>>Bootloader || Alternatives <<BR>>Bootloader|| DebianInstaller <<BR>> Bootloader||
||[[i386]], [[DebianAMD64|amd64]] (BIOS) || grub || lilo, syslinux, grub-pc-v2 || syslinux | pxelinux ||
||[[i386]], [[DebianAMD64|amd64]] (EFI) || ? || lilo, syslinux, grub-efi-v2 || ||
||[[PowerPC|powerpc]] (!NewWorld) || yaboot || || ||
||[[PowerPC|powerpc]] (!OldWorld) || ? || quick, yaboot || ||
||[[SunSparc|sparc]] || silo || || ||
||[[
HP-PArisc|hppa]] || palo || || ||
||[[
MIPSPort|mips]] || || || ||
||[[
M68k|m68k]] || || || ||
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 GRUB : GRand Unified Bootloader :: ["Grub"] "version 1" (upstream calls it ''grub-legacy'') is a GPLed bootloader intended to unify bootloading across x86 operating systems. In addition to loading the Linux kernel, it implements the Multiboot standard, which allows for flexible loading of multiple boot images (needed for modular kernels such as the GNU Hurd).(package:DebPkg:grub) [[BR]] PROs : very stable, very powerful.[[BR]] CONs : can't handle LVM and LUKS-encrypted /boot partition  GRUB : GRand Unified Bootloader :: [[Grub]] "version 1" (upstream calls it ''grub-legacy'') is a GPLed bootloader intended to unify bootloading across x86 operating systems. In addition to loading the Linux kernel, it implements the Multiboot standard, which allows for flexible loading of multiple boot images (needed for modular kernels such as the GNU Hurd).(package:DebPkg:grub) <<BR>> PROs : very stable, very powerful.<<BR>> CONs : can't handle LVM and LUKS-encrypted /boot partition
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 GRUB2 (PC) : GRand Unified Bootloader, "version 2" (PC/BIOS version) :: GRUB 2 (also known as PUPA) is the Preliminary Universal Programming Architecture for GRUB. It is a research project for the next generation of GNU GRUB. The most important goal is to make GNU GRUB cleaner, safer, more robust, more powerful, and more portable. [[BR]] This package contains a version of GRUB that has been built for use with traditional PC/BIOS architecture.(package:DebPkg:grub-pc) [[BR]]PROs : understands LVM2[[BR]]CONs :  GRUB2 (PC) : GRand Unified Bootloader, "version 2" (PC/BIOS version) :: GRUB 2 (also known as PUPA) is the Preliminary Universal Programming Architecture for GRUB. It is a research project for the next generation of GNU GRUB. The most important goal is to make GNU GRUB cleaner, safer, more robust, more powerful, and more portable. <<BR>> This package contains a version of GRUB that has been built for use with traditional PC/BIOS architecture.(package:DebPkg:grub-pc) <<BR>>PROs : understands LVM2<<BR>>CONs :
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 GRUB2 (EFI) : GRand Unified Bootloader, "version 2" (EFI version) :: GRUB 2 (also known as PUPA) is the Preliminary Universal Programming Architecture for GRUB. It is a research project for the next generation of GNU GRUB. The most important goal is to make GNU GRUB cleaner, safer, more robust, more powerful, and more portable.[[BR]] This package contains a version of GRUB that has been built for use with EFI architecture, such as the one provided by Intel Macs (that is, unless they are in MBR emulation mode).(package:DebPkg:grub-efi) [[BR]]PROs : [[BR]]CONs :  GRUB2 (EFI) : GRand Unified Bootloader, "version 2" (EFI version) :: GRUB 2 (also known as PUPA) is the Preliminary Universal Programming Architecture for GRUB. It is a research project for the next generation of GNU GRUB. The most important goal is to make GNU GRUB cleaner, safer, more robust, more powerful, and more portable.<<BR>> This package contains a version of GRUB that has been built for use with EFI architecture, such as the one provided by Intel Macs (that is, unless they are in MBR emulation mode).(package:DebPkg:grub-efi) <<BR>>PROs : <<BR>>CONs :
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 LILO : LInux LOader - The Classic OS loader can load Linux and others :: This Package contains ["LILO"] (the installer) and boot-record-images to install Linux, OS/2, DOS and generic Boot Sectors of other OSes. You can use LILO to manage your Master Boot Record (with a simple text screen, text menu or colorful splash graphics) or call LILO from other Boot-Loaders to jump-start the Linux kernel.(package:DebPkg:lilo) [[BR]]PROs : Very stable, can work with LVM2, provided the kernel and initrd are not spread across non contiguous logical volume extents[[BR]]CONs : has to be "reinstalled" every time you touch the kernel or initrd, or in LVM2 case, move extents containing the kernel or initrd.  LILO : LInux LOader - The Classic OS loader can load Linux and others :: This Package contains [[LILO]] (the installer) and boot-record-images to install Linux, OS/2, DOS and generic Boot Sectors of other OSes. You can use LILO to manage your Master Boot Record (with a simple text screen, text menu or colorful splash graphics) or call LILO from other Boot-Loaders to jump-start the Linux kernel.(package:DebPkg:lilo) <<BR>>PROs : Very stable, can work with LVM2, provided the kernel and initrd are not spread across non contiguous logical volume extents<<BR>>CONs : has to be "reinstalled" every time you touch the kernel or initrd, or in LVM2 case, move extents containing the kernel or initrd.
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 ELILO : Bootloader for systems using EFI-based firmware :: This is the Linux bootloader for systems using the Intel EFI firmware specification. This includes all ia64 systems, and some ia32 systems.(package:DebPkg:elilo) [[BR]]PROs : [[BR]]CONs : Doesn't support Hursd/Mach.  ELILO : Bootloader for systems using EFI-based firmware :: This is the Linux bootloader for systems using the Intel EFI firmware specification. This includes all ia64 systems, and some ia32 systems.(package:DebPkg:elilo) <<BR>>PROs : <<BR>>CONs : Doesn't support Hursd/Mach.
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 SILO : Sparc Improved LOader :: Like LILO or MILO, but for SPARC. This is the program you need to use if you plan to boot SPARC/Linux via a hard drive, floppy or CDROM. It installs to the boot block of your system and will allow for booting of Linux, Solaris, and SunOS.(package:DebPkg:silo) [[BR]]PROs : [[BR]]CONs :  SILO : Sparc Improved LOader :: Like LILO or MILO, but for SPARC. This is the program you need to use if you plan to boot SPARC/Linux via a hard drive, floppy or CDROM. It installs to the boot block of your system and will allow for booting of Linux, Solaris, and SunOS.(package:DebPkg:silo) <<BR>>PROs : <<BR>>CONs :
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 PALO : Linux boot loader for parisc/hppa :: This package contains the parisc boot loader itself, plus palo which is the boot media management tool as lilo is for i386.(package:DebPkg:palo) [[BR]]PROs : [[BR]]CONs :  PALO : Linux boot loader for parisc/hppa :: This package contains the parisc boot loader itself, plus palo which is the boot media management tool as lilo is for i386.(package:DebPkg:palo) <<BR>>PROs : <<BR>>CONs :
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[[Anchor(YaBoot)]]
 YaBoot : Yet Another Bootloader :: This package contains ["YaBoot"
], the bootloader of choice on the !NewWorld line of Power Macintosh computers and on IBM CHRP computers. It supports loading a kernel from several different filesystems, including ext2, ext3, xfs, and reiserfs, as well as separate ramdisks and dual-booting. [[BR]] This package includes the installer tools ybin and mkofboot, and a yabootconfig program for generating a simple /etc/yaboot.conf file. (package:DebPkg:yaboot) [[BR]]PROs : [[BR]]CONs :
<<Anchor(YaBoot)>>
 YaBoot : Yet Another Bootloader :: This package contains
[[YaBoot]], the bootloader of choice on the !NewWorld line of Power Macintosh computers and on IBM CHRP computers. It supports loading a kernel from several different filesystems, including ext2, ext3, xfs, and reiserfs, as well as separate ramdisks and dual-booting. <<BR>> This package includes the installer tools ybin and mkofboot, and a yabootconfig program for generating a simple /etc/yaboot.conf file. (package:DebPkg:yaboot) <<BR>>PROs : <<BR>>CONs :
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 QUIK : Bootloader for PowerMac or CHRP systems :: ["QUIK"] provides the functionality necessary for booting a Linux Debian/PowerPC !PowerMac or CHRP system from disk. It includes first and second stage disk bootstrap and a program for installing the first stage bootstrap on the root disk. [[BR]] Note that if you are running on a !NewWorld machine, quik will be of limited use to you. You should install yaboot instead. It may even come handy on an !OldWorld machine, since it provides the ofpath program and some documentation. (package:DebPkg:quik) [[BR]]PROs : [[BR]]CONs :  QUIK : Bootloader for PowerMac or CHRP systems :: [[QUIK]] provides the functionality necessary for booting a Linux Debian/PowerPC !PowerMac or CHRP system from disk. It includes first and second stage disk bootstrap and a program for installing the first stage bootstrap on the root disk. <<BR>> Note that if you are running on a !NewWorld machine, quik will be of limited use to you. You should install yaboot instead. It may even come handy on an !OldWorld machine, since it provides the ofpath program and some documentation. (package:DebPkg:quik) <<BR>>PROs : <<BR>>CONs :
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 LoadLin - LInux LOader - The Classic OS loader can load Linux and others :: This Package contains lilo (the installer) and boot-record-images to install Linux, OS/2, DOS and generic Boot Sectors of other OSes. You can use LILO to manage your Master Boot Record (with a simple text screen, text menu or colorful splash graphics) or call LILO from other Boot-Loaders to jump-start the Linux kernel. (package:DebPkg:loadlin) [[BR]]PROs : [[BR]]CONs :  LoadLin - LInux LOader - The Classic OS loader can load Linux and others :: This Package contains lilo (the installer) and boot-record-images to install Linux, OS/2, DOS and generic Boot Sectors of other OSes. You can use LILO to manage your Master Boot Record (with a simple text screen, text menu or colorful splash graphics) or call LILO from other Boot-Loaders to jump-start the Linux kernel. (package:DebPkg:loadlin) <<BR>>PROs : <<BR>>CONs :
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 win32-loader :: This package provides GRUB boot record images that can be used by the native bootloaders of various win32 platforms in order to load a full instance of GNU GRUB. [[BR]] It is used by the win32-loader package to provide suitable GRUB images for loading Debian-Installer on win32. DebPkg:win32-loader [[BR]]PROs : [[BR]]CONs :  win32-loader :: This package provides GRUB boot record images that can be used by the native bootloaders of various win32 platforms in order to load a full instance of GNU GRUB. <<BR>> It is used by the win32-loader package to provide suitable GRUB images for loading Debian-Installer on win32. DebPkg:win32-loader <<BR>>PROs : <<BR>>CONs :
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 grubutil-win32 :: Debian-Installer loader for win32. This package provides a win32 program that can be used as a loader for Debian Installer, acting as a more user-friendly boot mechanism than traditional BIOS-based boot. [[BR]] It can act as a standalone netboot loader (for a practical example, see goodbye-microsoft.com), or as a cdrom/usb-disk add-on that starts a media-based install. DebPkg:grubutil-win32 [[BR]]PROs : [[BR]]CONs :  grubutil-win32 :: Debian-Installer loader for win32. This package provides a win32 program that can be used as a loader for Debian Installer, acting as a more user-friendly boot mechanism than traditional BIOS-based boot. <<BR>> It can act as a standalone netboot loader (for a practical example, see goodbye-microsoft.com), or as a cdrom/usb-disk add-on that starts a media-based install. DebPkg:grubutil-win32 <<BR>>PROs : <<BR>>CONs :
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 GRUB4DOS and WINGRUB :: GRUB4DOS is an universal boot loader based on GNU GRUB. It can boot off DOS/LINUX, or via Windows boot manager/syslinux/lilo, or from MBR/CD. It also has builtin BIOS disk emulation, ATAPI CDROM driver, etc.(package: none ; [http://grub4dos.sourceforge.net/ WWW]) [[BR]]PROs : grubldr can be added to Windows boot.ini[[BR]]CONs : Not supported by Debian.  GRUB4DOS and WINGRUB :: GRUB4DOS is an universal boot loader based on GNU GRUB. It can boot off DOS/LINUX, or via Windows boot manager/syslinux/lilo, or from MBR/CD. It also has builtin BIOS disk emulation, ATAPI CDROM driver, etc.(package: none ; [[http://grub4dos.sourceforge.net/|WWW]]) <<BR>>PROs : grubldr can be added to Windows boot.ini<<BR>>CONs : Not supported by Debian.
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 SysLinux : Bootloader for Linux/i386 using MS-DOS floppies :: SYSLINUX is a boot loader for the Linux/i386 operating system which operates off an MS-DOS/Windows FAT filesystem. It is intended to simplify first-time installation of Linux, and for creation of rescue and other special-purpose boot disks.(package:DebPkg:syslinux) [[BR]]PROs : also a PXE and CD Bootloader [[BR]]CONs :  SysLinux : Bootloader for Linux/i386 using MS-DOS floppies :: SYSLINUX is a boot loader for the Linux/i386 operating system which operates off an MS-DOS/Windows FAT filesystem. It is intended to simplify first-time installation of Linux, and for creation of rescue and other special-purpose boot disks.(package:DebPkg:syslinux) <<BR>>PROs : also a PXE and CD Bootloader <<BR>>CONs :

A boot loader is a program that is found by the system BIOS (or EFI) in the boot sector of your storage device (floppy or hard drive's Master_boot_record), and which locates and starts your ?operating_system ( Linux ) for you.

Debian default boot loaders

Architecture

Default
Bootloader

Alternatives
Bootloader

DebianInstaller
Bootloader

i386, amd64 (BIOS)

grub

lilo, syslinux, grub-pc-v2

syslinux | pxelinux

i386, amd64 (EFI)

?

lilo, syslinux, grub-efi-v2

powerpc (NewWorld)

yaboot

powerpc (OldWorld)

?

quick, yaboot

sparc

silo

?hppa

palo

mips

m68k

alpha

Available Bootloaders

i386 + amd64

GRUB : GRand Unified Bootloader

Grub "version 1" (upstream calls it grub-legacy) is a GPLed bootloader intended to unify bootloading across x86 operating systems. In addition to loading the Linux kernel, it implements the Multiboot standard, which allows for flexible loading of multiple boot images (needed for modular kernels such as the GNU Hurd).(package:grub)
PROs : very stable, very powerful.
CONs : can't handle LVM and LUKS-encrypted /boot partition

GRUB2 (PC) : GRand Unified Bootloader, "version 2" (PC/BIOS version)

GRUB 2 (also known as PUPA) is the Preliminary Universal Programming Architecture for GRUB. It is a research project for the next generation of GNU GRUB. The most important goal is to make GNU GRUB cleaner, safer, more robust, more powerful, and more portable.
This package contains a version of GRUB that has been built for use with traditional PC/BIOS architecture.(package:grub-pc)
PROs : understands LVM2
CONs :

GRUB2 (EFI) : GRand Unified Bootloader, "version 2" (EFI version)

GRUB 2 (also known as PUPA) is the Preliminary Universal Programming Architecture for GRUB. It is a research project for the next generation of GNU GRUB. The most important goal is to make GNU GRUB cleaner, safer, more robust, more powerful, and more portable.
This package contains a version of GRUB that has been built for use with EFI architecture, such as the one provided by Intel Macs (that is, unless they are in MBR emulation mode).(package:grub-efi)
PROs :
CONs :

LILO : LInux LOader - The Classic OS loader can load Linux and others

This Package contains LILO (the installer) and boot-record-images to install Linux, OS/2, DOS and generic Boot Sectors of other OSes. You can use LILO to manage your Master Boot Record (with a simple text screen, text menu or colorful splash graphics) or call LILO from other Boot-Loaders to jump-start the Linux kernel.(package:lilo)
PROs : Very stable, can work with LVM2, provided the kernel and initrd are not spread across non contiguous logical volume extents
CONs : has to be "reinstalled" every time you touch the kernel or initrd, or in LVM2 case, move extents containing the kernel or initrd.

ELILO : Bootloader for systems using EFI-based firmware

This is the Linux bootloader for systems using the Intel EFI firmware specification. This includes all ia64 systems, and some ia32 systems.(package:elilo)
PROs :
CONs : Doesn't support Hursd/Mach.

SPARC

SILO : Sparc Improved LOader

Like LILO or MILO, but for SPARC. This is the program you need to use if you plan to boot SPARC/Linux via a hard drive, floppy or CDROM. It installs to the boot block of your system and will allow for booting of Linux, Solaris, and SunOS.(package:silo)
PROs :
CONs :

parisc/hppa

PALO : Linux boot loader for parisc/hppa

This package contains the parisc boot loader itself, plus palo which is the boot media management tool as lilo is for i386.(package:palo)
PROs :
CONs :

PowerPC

YaBoot : Yet Another Bootloader

This package contains YaBoot, the bootloader of choice on the NewWorld line of Power Macintosh computers and on IBM CHRP computers. It supports loading a kernel from several different filesystems, including ext2, ext3, xfs, and reiserfs, as well as separate ramdisks and dual-booting.
This package includes the installer tools ybin and mkofboot, and a yabootconfig program for generating a simple /etc/yaboot.conf file. (package:yaboot)
PROs :
CONs :

QUIK : Bootloader for PowerMac or CHRP systems

?QUIK provides the functionality necessary for booting a Linux Debian/PowerPC PowerMac or CHRP system from disk. It includes first and second stage disk bootstrap and a program for installing the first stage bootstrap on the root disk.
Note that if you are running on a NewWorld machine, quik will be of limited use to you. You should install yaboot instead. It may even come handy on an OldWorld machine, since it provides the ofpath program and some documentation. (package:quik)
PROs :
CONs :

Other Loaders (not MBR Bootloaders)

LoadLin - LInux LOader - The Classic OS loader can load Linux and others

This Package contains lilo (the installer) and boot-record-images to install Linux, OS/2, DOS and generic Boot Sectors of other OSes. You can use LILO to manage your Master Boot Record (with a simple text screen, text menu or colorful splash graphics) or call LILO from other Boot-Loaders to jump-start the Linux kernel. (package:loadlin)
PROs :
CONs :

win32-loader

This package provides GRUB boot record images that can be used by the native bootloaders of various win32 platforms in order to load a full instance of GNU GRUB.
It is used by the win32-loader package to provide suitable GRUB images for loading Debian-Installer on win32. win32-loader
PROs :
CONs :

grubutil-win32

Debian-Installer loader for win32. This package provides a win32 program that can be used as a loader for Debian Installer, acting as a more user-friendly boot mechanism than traditional BIOS-based boot.
It can act as a standalone netboot loader (for a practical example, see goodbye-microsoft.com), or as a cdrom/usb-disk add-on that starts a media-based install. grubutil-win32
PROs :
CONs :

GRUB4DOS and WINGRUB

GRUB4DOS is an universal boot loader based on GNU GRUB. It can boot off DOS/LINUX, or via Windows boot manager/syslinux/lilo, or from MBR/CD. It also has builtin BIOS disk emulation, ATAPI CDROM driver, etc.(package: none ; WWW)
PROs : grubldr can be added to Windows boot.ini
CONs : Not supported by Debian.

SysLinux : Bootloader for Linux/i386 using MS-DOS floppies

SYSLINUX is a boot loader for the Linux/i386 operating system which operates off an MS-DOS/Windows FAT filesystem. It is intended to simplify first-time installation of Linux, and for creation of rescue and other special-purpose boot disks.(package:syslinux)
PROs : also a PXE and CD Bootloader
CONs :

Related Tools

  • ms-sys Write a Microsoft compatible boot record.

  • gpart Guess PC disk partition table, find lost partitions.