extlinux(1)                 General Commands Manual                extlinux(1)

NAME
       extlinux - install the SYSLINUX bootloader on an
       ext2/ext3/ext4/btrfs/xfs filesystem

SYNOPSIS
       extlinux [options] directory

DESCRIPTION
       EXTLINUX is a new syslinux derivative, which boots from a Linux
       ext2/ext3/ext4/btrfs or xfs filesystem.  It works the same way as
       SYSLINUX, with a few slight modifications.  It is intended to simplify
       first-time installation of Linux, and for creation of rescue and other
       special-purpose boot disks.

       The installer is designed to be run on a mounted directory.  For
       example, if you have an ext2, ext3, ext4, or btrfs usb key mounted on
       /mnt, you can run the following command:

              extlinux --install /mnt

OPTIONS
       -H, --heads=#
              Force the number of heads.

       -i, --install
              Install over the current bootsector.

       -O, --clear-once
              Clear the boot-once command.

       -o, --once=command
              Execute a command once upon boot.

       -M, --menu-save=label
              Set the label to select as default on the next boot

       -r, --raid
              Fall back to the next device on boot failure.

       --reset-adv
              Reset auxiliary data.

       -S, --sectors=#
              Force the number of sectors per track.

       -U, --update
              Updates a previous EXTLINUX installation.

       -z, --zip
              Force zipdrive geometry (-H 64 -S 32).

       --device=devicename
              Override the automatic detection of device names.  This option
              is intended for special environments only and should not be used
              by normal users.  Misuse of this option can cause disk
              corruption and lost data.

FILES
       The extlinux configuration file needs to be named syslinux.cfg or
       extlinux.conf and needs to be stored in the extlinux installation
       directory. For more information about the contents of extlinux.conf,
       see syslinux(1) manpage, section files.

LIMITATIONS
       Booting from XFS only works when an MBR partition table is used (not on
       GPT partition tables).

BUGS
       I would appreciate hearing of any problems you have with SYSLINUX.  I
       would also like to hear from you if you have successfully used
       SYSLINUX, especially if you are using it for a distribution.

       If you are reporting problems, please include all possible information
       about your system and your BIOS; the vast majority of all problems
       reported turn out to be BIOS or hardware bugs, and I need as much
       information as possible in order to diagnose the problems.

       There is a mailing list <syslinux@zytor.com> for discussion among
       SYSLINUX users and for announcements of new and test versions.  You can
       subscribe to this mailing list <http://www.zytor.com/mailman/listinfo/
       syslinux>.

SEE ALSO
       syslinux(1)

SYSLINUX for ext/btrfs/xfs filesystems
                               18 December 2007                    extlinux(1)