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KolibriOS System Requirements and Installation

KolibriOS has minimal system requirements including a CPU with at least 90 MHz, 8 MB RAM, and VGA support. It can be installed via various methods including floppy, hard disk, USB flash, and CD/DVD, with specific instructions for BIOS and UEFI modes. UEFI support is in beta, and users are advised to report any issues encountered during installation.

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Sambarta Sen
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61 views4 pages

KolibriOS System Requirements and Installation

KolibriOS has minimal system requirements including a CPU with at least 90 MHz, 8 MB RAM, and VGA support. It can be installed via various methods including floppy, hard disk, USB flash, and CD/DVD, with specific instructions for BIOS and UEFI modes. UEFI support is in beta, and users are advised to report any issues encountered during installation.

Uploaded by

Sambarta Sen
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as TXT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

System requirements

-------------------

Minimal system requirements for KolibriOS:


* CPU 5x86: Pentium, AMD or Cyrix without MMX with frequency 90 MHz
* RAM: 8 MB
* Videocard: supporting VGA (640x480x16 mode) or VESA
* Keyboard: AT
* Mouse: COM, PS/2 or USB

The system can boot from any of following devices:


* BIOS mode
- Floppy 3.5
- HDD LBA
- CD/DVD
- USB Flash
* UEFI mode
- HDD
- USB Flash

Installation: BIOS mode


-----------------------

### Install to floppy

* Insert clean floppy without bad sectors to drive.


* Write to it `[Link]` image with any available methods:

* (if you have already loaded KolibriOS by any method) run the program
`rdsave` and select the variant corresponding to floppy;

* for DOS use DskImage;

* for Windows use WinImage, RawWrite for Windows or its analogue;

* if you have Linux then try smth like


`dd if=/pathto/[Link] of=/dev/fd0 bs=512 count=2880`
Wait. And make sure to umount the drive before ejecting the disk.

Now you can boot from floppy (keep it in drive, reboot, set in BIOS option of
floppy booting).

### Install to hard disk

There exist several loaders from hard disk. All are oriented on DOS and Windows
users. Also standard Linux-loader GRUB can be used. All methods work with file
`[Link]`. If you already have old version of KolibriOS installed, simply
replace `[Link]` to the new one. If you have booted from LiveCD, which does
not contain the file `[Link]`, KolibriOS can create it independently. To do
this, run the program `rdsave`, enter the file name for saving and select the
corresponding variant. Of course, in this case KolibriOS must be able to write
to file system of selected partitions. Currently this means that only FAT and
EXT2 volumes are ok.

* Most of all features has the loader mtldr (author - Diamond) - works with
DOS/Win95/98/NT/2k/XP/Vista, supports FAT32 and NTFS, has installer, can be
installed to any folder on disk.
To install, simply run file HD_load\mtldr_install.exe and select image file.
Apropos, by this way you can install several images. There is also variant of
install by hand - for those who want to know what installer does: directions
in `HD_load\mtldr`.

* There is also the loader MeOSLoad (author - Trans, expanded by Mario79) -


works with DOS/Win95/98, supports FAT32. It is placed with the instruction
to the folder `HD_load\MeOSLoad`.

* Moreover, there exists a program which allows to load KolibriOS directly from
Windows 95/98/Me (of course, unloading it) - `9x2klbr` (author - Diamond),
supports FAT32 and NTFS.

* Usage of the loader GRUB. Place the file `memdisk` to the folder `boot`
or to the partition used for KolibriOS.

a) For GRUB2, in the folder `/etc/grub.d` add to one of files next lines:

```
menuentry 'KolibriOS' {
linux16 (hd[Hard disk number],[partition number])[path]/memdisk
initrd16 (hd[Hard disk number],[partition number])[path]/[Link]
}
```
example:

```
menuentry 'KolibriOS' {
linux16 (hd0,msdos1)/boot/memdisk
initrd16 (hd0,msdos1)/boot/[Link]
}
```
then, run in terminal `sudo update-grub`.

b) For old GRUB, add to the configuration file `[Link]` next lines:

```
title KolibriOS
kernel (hd[Hard disk number],[partition number])[path]/memdisk
initrd (hd[Hard disk number],[partition number])[path]/[Link]
```
Remember that numeration in GRUB starts from 0. Example:

```
title KolibriOS
kernel (hd0,0)/boot/memdisk
initrd (hd0,3)/kolibri/[Link]
```

### Install to USB flash drive

The special loader for FAT32-volumes has been written. It and its installer to
flash drive can be found in the directory `HD_load\USB_Boot`.

Despite the fact that the installer from the previous step is recommended, you
may also use Rufus [Link] to write Kolibri ISO-image on the USB flash.
For not-FAT32 drives you may use article placed in the directory
`HD_load\USB_Boot_old`.

### Install to CD and DVD

There exists special LiveCD-version of KolibriOS, which contains in addition to


standard things some 'heavy' (in KolibriOS standards) programs: the ported
emulator DosBox, videoplayer Fplay, PDF reader, games like Quake, DOOM, Tyrian
and Wolfenstain3D, etc.

You can also create bootable CD or DVD on the base of `[Link]`, adding
anything what you want, in the mode of floppy emulation. The appropriate actions
are determined by used CD/DVD write program (focus on words such as 'boot floppy
emulation').

Installation: UEFI mode


-----------------------

UEFI support is still in beta. Be ready to face issues and report them.

### Install to hard disk

* To boot KolibriOS from HDD these four files are needed:

* `uefi4kos`: UEFI-specific loader for KolibriOS, shipped as `[Link]` and


`[Link]` binaries. Choose one of these `boot*.efi` images to match the
architecture of your machine's UEFI firmware. Use `[Link]` if unsure.
* `[Link]`: a RAM disk image.
* `[Link]`: KolibriOS kernel compiled without BIOS-related legacy stuff.
* `[Link]`: a configuration file. It is used to e.g. set screen
resolution.

* If you have any UEFI-aware OS installed on your HDD, then there already is a
so called EFI system partition (ESP) on it. If your HDD is not partitioned
yet, you have to first create a GUID partition table (GPT) on it and then
create mentioned EFI system partition formatted as FAT32.

* Make a directory `/efi/kolibrios` on the ESP.

* Copy all the `kolibri.???` files mentioned above to that directory.

* If KolibriOS is the only OS to be loaded from that HDD, make a directory


`/efi/boot` and copy the chosen `boot*.efi` loader there.

* If there is some other OS already installed on the HDD, put `boot*.efi` file
to `/efi/kolibrios` directory and then setup the boot loader of the installed
OS to boot KolibriOS.

For example, for GRUB2 (nowadays also known as just GRUB, not GRUB1 or
GRUB-legacy) follow these three steps:

1. Append file `/etc/grub.d/42_custom` with a new menu entry.

```
menuentry "KolibriOS" {
insmod part_gpt
insmod fat
insmod chain
chainloader /EFI/kolibrios/[Link]
}
```

2. Locate GRUB config file in your system, namely `[Link]`. It might be in


`/boot/grub/`.

3. Update `[Link]` with a command like below.


```
sudo grub-mkconfig -o /boot/grub/[Link]
```

### Install to USB flash drive

* If you prefer to keep all the data on the USB drive, follow the
steps above for hard disks.

* If, instead, you are okay to lose all the data on the USB drive, use
`[Link]` image. It is ready to be directly written to the flash drive.

Linux users can write the image with standard utilities `cat` or `dd`.

Windows users can use [Rawwrite32] or [Rufus].

[Rawwrite32]: [Link]
[Rufus]: [Link]

Common questions

Powered by AI

KolibriOS on UEFI systems is in beta, meaning users may encounter instability or compatibility issues that need reporting . One challenge is ensuring compatibility with the ESP and selecting the correct 'boot*.efi' file based on the machine's architecture . The solutions involve careful file placement and integration with existing UEFI configuration tools such as GRUB2's custom menu entries to ensure KolibriOS boots correctly alongside other OSes. Utilizing a clear, debug-friendly approach aids in troubleshooting potential issues arising from this beta feature.

For UEFI installation of KolibriOS, you need four files: 'uefi4kos' (as bootx64.efi or bootia32.efi), 'kolibri.img', 'kolibri.krn', and 'kolibri.ini' . Create an EFI system partition (ESP) if one doesn't exist, then make a directory '/efi/kolibrios' and copy these files there. If KolibriOS is the only OS, place the EFI loader into '/efi/boot'. If other OSes exist, adjust their boot loader (e.g., GRUB2) to include a KolibriOS entry using the chainloader . These steps ensure proper UEFI boot configuration and compatibility.

The availability of multiple installation media such as USB, CD/DVD, and floppy drives is crucial for KolibriOS due to its target audience of users with diverse hardware setups, especially older systems . USB offers the convenience of modern portable storage, while CD/DVD and floppy support legacy systems lacking USB boot capabilities. This variety ensures broader compatibility and flexibility, allowing KolibriOS to be more accessible regardless of the system's age or configuration, which is important for maximizing its utility for users with limited resources.

KolibriOS requires a CPU such as a 5x86 Pentium, AMD, or Cyrix without MMX and with a frequency of 90 MHz, 8 MB of RAM, and a VGA or VESA supporting video card . These minimal requirements indicate that KolibriOS can potentially be used on very old and low-performance systems, making it a versatile option for legacy hardware still in operation.

To create a bootable USB drive for KolibriOS on a FAT32 file system, you must first use the special loader and installer provided in the 'HD_load/USB_Boot' directory or employ tools like Rufus to write the Kolibri ISO-image to the USB drive . This ensures compatibility and ease of booting KolibriOS from USB devices formatted with FAT32.

KolibriOS supports a wide range of older input devices by providing compatibility with AT keyboards and various mouse interfaces such as COM, PS/2, and USB . This ensures that users deploying KolibriOS on legacy systems can still utilize existing peripherals without needing to upgrade to newer hardware, maintaining the use of pre-existing resources effectively.

KolibriOS can be installed on a hard disk using various loaders: mtldr for DOS/Windows environments with FAT32 and NTFS support; MeOSLoad for DOS/Windows with FAT32; 9x2klbr for direct loading from Windows 95/98/Me. GRUB can also be used with configuration adjustments in the GRUB menus . The advantage of using mtldr is its compatibility across numerous Windows versions and support for multiple file systems, while MeOSLoad is simpler but limited to older Windows versions. Using GRUB allows seamless integration for multi-boot systems with Linux.

Using GRUB to load KolibriOS allows flexibility in dual-boot or multi-boot systems, as it can be configured through menu entries to boot KolibriOS alongside other operating systems without replacing or altering existing boot setups . This approach also leverages established boot mechanisms, making it highly adaptable to various system architectures. However, configuring GRUB requires familiarity with its syntax and understanding how different partitions and file systems are handled, which can be daunting for inexperienced users compared to the more straightforward installation methods using dedicated loaders like mtldr or MeOSLoad.

If the hard disk lacks an EFI system partition, start by creating a GUID partition table (GPT) and then format an EFI system partition (ESP) as FAT32 . This partition will host the necessary system files for UEFI booting. Next, create '/efi/kolibrios' on the ESP and copy required KolibriOS UEFI files ('boot*.efi', 'kolibri.img', 'kolibri.krn', 'kolibri.ini') to it. This ensures the system is correctly set up for UEFI mode, aligning with the beta support requirements for seamless operation.

When using GRUB2 for KolibriOS installation on multi-OS systems, you must modify the '/etc/grub.d/42_custom' file to include a custom menu entry for KolibriOS using the insmod and chainloader commands. The GRUB config file, typically located at '/boot/grub/grub.cfg', must then be updated with 'grub-mkconfig'. It's crucial to ensure correct partition and file path configurations to avoid boot errors . Consider the impact on other OSes' boot entries to maintain full system usability without conflict.

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