Hi All, I have a situation where a remote network of computers that normally PXE boot Linux has been powered off so long, the BIOS boot order is forgotten, reverting to the HD only. With the machines PXE booted (manually) now thanks to a colleague, I have an opportunity to install Syslinux on the hard drive. I would like to install it on a small active partition, sda1, so that it then PXE boots. This will allow the system to PXE boot, even if the BIOS is never configured to do so (or the CMOS battery is dead). Is this possible? I've been looking at 6.03, built gpxe iso and hd images, but for the most part, extlinux just fails loading the gpxe.krn with an instant reboot. I know I can put a kernel/initrd in sda1 to accomplish the same thing, but I'd really like to see if an old machine can be made to PXE boot with Syslinux, against its old crotchety will. Thank you for your thoughts, Luke Hassell
Hi,> Luke Hassell via Syslinux <syslinux at zytor.com>: > I have a situation where a remote network of computers that normally PXE boot Linux has been powered off so long, the BIOS boot order is forgotten, reverting to the HD only. > > With the machines PXE booted (manually) now thanks to a colleague, I have an opportunity to install Syslinux on the hard drive. I would like to install it on a small active partition, sda1, so that it then PXE boots. This will allow the system to PXE boot, even if the BIOS is never configured to do so (or the CMOS battery is dead).You should be able to flash iPXE on your default boot disk, that will effectively force the system to do a PXE boot. I've had a similar problem with a BIOS that couldn't be convinced to run the PXE option rom of the NIC and iPXE on a USB drive solved it for me. Paul
Thank you Paul for your suggestion. While implementing it, I found my error. As usual, it was an oversight of something already documented. When using MEMDISK for < 4MB images, {gpxe,ipxe}.usb files for example, you have to APPEND harddisk. Once that option was in place, I am now back to Syslinux perfection. I have to confess, this area of SA is some of the most fun, as it is a foundational piece to the Internet puzzle. The work done here is truly amazing, well written, and documented. Thank you all. Luke On Fri, 10 Feb 2017, Paul Emmerich wrote:> Hi, > >> Luke Hassell via Syslinux <syslinux at zytor.com>: >> I have a situation where a remote network of computers that normally PXE boot Linux has been powered off so long, the BIOS boot order is forgotten, reverting to the HD only. >> >> With the machines PXE booted (manually) now thanks to a colleague, I have an opportunity to install Syslinux on the hard drive. I would like to install it on a small active partition, sda1, so that it then PXE boots. This will allow the system to PXE boot, even if the BIOS is never configured to do so (or the CMOS battery is dead). > > You should be able to flash iPXE on your default boot disk, that will effectively force the system to do a PXE boot. > I've had a similar problem with a BIOS that couldn't be convinced to run the PXE option rom of the NIC and iPXE on a USB drive solved it for me. > > > Paul >