INT 13h support and boot loaders

Hello!

I've a Dell Dimension 4300 PC with BIOS A04.

I intend to install Linux(es), Solaris and FreeBSD in this machine (along with W2K). My HD has 40GB and I reserved 1st 15 to Windows. This leaves the rest of HD starting at cylinder 1913. I'd like to keep it in a single partition though.

I saw at http://multiboot.solaris-x86.org/iv/1.html a pretty good tutorial about it. However, it mentioned Interruption 13h support.

I was not able to download A06. Does my current BIOS version supports it? Would A06 do it? I suppose the answer is Yes. On the other hand... If I keep my W2K greater than 8GB, where should be the boot loader? Might I use Lilo in MBR?

I'd like to use GRUB and keep its configuration in a separate partition just for this. Is it doable?

Thanks!

Bernardo

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A modern BIOS supporting INT 13h extensions can access cylinders greater than 1024. If both Master Boot Code and Partition Boot Code utilize the INT 13h extensions the 8GB or 1024 cylinder limitation is overcome.

• Solaris 8 does not suffer 1024 cylinder limitation. Its partition may begin past 1024-th cylinder, and as long as Solaris Master Boot Code or other boot manager capable of loading VBS beyond 1024-th cylinder is used, there is no problem.
• LILO since 21.4 are able to boot from cylinder 1024 and beyond.