Boot floppies 2.2.6 has been uploaded. (Was: Re: Bug#56821: [POSSIBLE GRAVE SECURITY HOLD])
Boot floppies 2.2.6 has been uploaded.
Starting with this version of `boot-floppies', `install-mbr' is run
with `--interrupt n', so that it is not interruptable during boot;
that is, holding shift will NOT display the MBR menu; it should
behave just like a standard MBR. At local option, that functionality
may be enabled by the system administrator, via the `install-mbr'
command.
You will find that `install-mbr --help' displays the following:
Usage: install-mbr [options] <target>
Options:
-f, --force Override some sanity checks.
-I <path>, --install <path> Install code from the specified file.
-k, --keep Keep the current code in the MBR.
-l, --list Just list the parameters.
-n, --no-act Don't install anything.
-o <offset>, --offset <offset> Install the MBR at byte offset <offset>.
-P <path>, --parameters <path> Get parameters from <path>.
-r, --reset Reset the parameters to the default state.
-T <path>, --table <path> Get partition table from <path>.
-v, --verbose Operate verbosely.
-V, --version Show version.
-h, --help Display this message.
Parameters:
-d <drive>, --drive <drive> Set BIOS drive number.
-e <option>, --enable <option> Select enabled boot option.
-i <mode>, --interrupt <keys> Set interrupt mode. (a/c/s/cs/n)
-p <partn>, --partition <partn> Set boot partition (0=whole disk).
-t <timeout>, --timeout <timeout> Set the timeout in 1/18 second.
Interrupt modes:
's'=Interrupt if shift or ctrl is pressed.
'k'=Interrupt if other key pressed.
'a'=Interrupt always.
'n'=Interrupt never.
Boot options:
'1','2','3' or '4' - Partition 1,2,3 or 4.
'F' - 1st floppy drive.
'A' - Advanced mode.
Report bugs to neilt@chiark.greenend.org.uk
From `dbootstrap' (the familiar Debian installer program on the
rescue floppy) right after opting to install `mbr', a message dialog
will be displayed (unless the "quiet" bootarg was given) with the
following to say:
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Important Information about the installed MBR
The master boot record program that was just installed supports
several advanced options that have not been enabled by default.
The installed configuration will cause it to behave just like a
standard MBR. For information about the advanced features
supported by the mbr, please read the 'install-mbr' manual page.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I have verified that the `install-mbr' man page is installed with the
base system. It will be available for reading after the standard
`man-db' setup is in place.
We hope that this will be sufficient grounds for closing bug #56821.
Karl M. Hegbloom <karlheg@debian.org>, on behalf of the `debian-boot'
team.
PS.
It has been brought up that _perhaps_ for `woody', an `mbr' and
`lilo' configuration widget can be added to `dbootstrap', allowing
one to enable and configure the advanced `mbr' functionality, and
even Lilo/Grub password access control features during installation.
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