The Linux BootPrompt-HowTo

by Paul Gortmaker.

v1.14, 1 February 1998

This is the BootPrompt-Howto, which is a compilation of all the possible boot time arguments that can be passed to the Linux kernel at boot time. This includes all kernel and device parameters. A discussion of how the kernel sorts boot time arguments, along with an overview of some of the popular software used to boot Linux kernels is also included.

1. Introduction

1.1 Disclaimer and Copyright
1.2 Related Documentation
1.3 The Linux Newsgroups
1.4 New Versions of this Document

2. Overview of Boot Prompt Arguments

2.1 LILO (LInux LOader)
2.2 LoadLin
2.3 The ``rdev'' utility
2.4 How the Kernel Sorts the Arguments
2.5 Setting Environment Variables.
2.6 Passing Arguments to the `init' program

3. General Non-Device Specific Boot Args

3.1 Root Filesystem options
3.2 Options Relating to RAM Disk Management
3.3 Boot Arguments Related to Memory Handling
3.4 Boot Arguments for NFS Root Filesystem
3.5 Other Misc. Kernel Boot Arguments

4. Boot Arguments for SCSI Peripherals.

4.1 Arguments for Mid-level Drivers
4.2 Arguments for SCSI Host Adapters
4.3 SCSI Host Adapters that don't Accept Boot Args

5. Hard Disks

5.1 IDE Disk/CD-ROM Driver Parameters
5.2 Standard ST-506 Disk Driver Options (`hd=')
5.3 XT Disk Driver Options (`xd=')

6. CD-ROMs (Non-SCSI/ATAPI/IDE)

6.1 The Aztech Interface (`aztcd=')
6.2 The CDU-31A and CDU-33A Sony Interface (`cdu31a=')
6.3 The CDU-535 Sony Interface (`sonycd535=')
6.4 The GoldStar Interface (`gscd=')
6.5 The ISP16 Interface (`isp16=')
6.6 The Mitsumi Standard Interface (`mcd=')
6.7 The Mitsumi XA/MultiSession Interface (`mcdx=')
6.8 The Optics Storage Interface (`optcd=')
6.9 The Phillips CM206 Interface (`cm206=')
6.10 The Sanyo Interface (`sjcd=')
6.11 The SoundBlaster Pro Interface (`sbpcd=')

7. Other Hardware Devices

7.1 Ethernet Devices (`ether=')
7.2 The Floppy Disk Driver (`floppy=')
7.3 The Sound Driver (`sound=')
7.4 The Bus Mouse Driver (`bmouse=')
7.5 The MS Bus Mouse Driver (`msmouse=')
7.6 The Printer Driver (`lp=')
7.7 The ICN ISDN driver (`icn=')
7.8 The PCBIT ISDN driver (`pcbit=')
7.9 The Teles ISDN driver (`teles=')
7.10 The DigiBoard Driver (`digi=')
7.11 The RISCom/8 Multiport Serial Driver (`riscom8=')
7.12 The Baycom Serial/Parallel Radio Modem (`baycom=')