syslinux
FAT filesystem bootloader installer
TLDR
Install SYSLINUX on FAT filesystem
SYNOPSIS
syslinux [options] device
DESCRIPTION
syslinux installs the SYSLINUX bootloader on FAT filesystems. SYSLINUX is a lightweight bootloader designed for booting Linux from MS-DOS FAT filesystems, commonly used for USB drives and rescue media.
The bootloader consists of a boot sector and the ldlinux.sys file. Configuration is done through syslinux.cfg which specifies kernel images and boot parameters.
For ext2/3/4 and btrfs filesystems, use extlinux instead. Since version 4.00, EXTLINUX and SYSLINUX share the same codebase.
After installation, create a syslinux.cfg file in the installation directory to configure boot entries.
PARAMETERS
-i, --install
Install SYSLINUX, overwriting any previous bootloader.-U, --update
Update existing SYSLINUX installation.-s, --stupid
Install safe, slow version for buggy BIOSes.-f, --force
Force install even if it appears unsafe.-r, --raid
RAID mode: boot next device on failure.-d, --directory subdir
Install control files in specified subdirectory.-a, --active
Mark partition as active (bootable).-m, --mbr
Install Master Boot Record code.--offset bytes
Byte offset of filesystem in disk image.-t, --type type
Specify filesystem type explicitly.-z, --zipdrive
Assume ZIP drive geometry.-h, --help
Display help information.-v, --version
Display version information.
CONFIGURATION
syslinux.cfg
Boot configuration file specifying kernel images, boot parameters, menu entries, and timeout settings. Located in the root or installation subdirectory of the FAT filesystem.
CAVEATS
Only works with FAT12, FAT16, and FAT32 filesystems. The device must not be mounted when installing, or use the -f flag. BIOS boot only; for UEFI systems, different tools are needed. Some BIOSes may require the -s option for compatibility.
HISTORY
SYSLINUX was created by H. Peter Anvin starting in 1994. It evolved into a family of bootloaders including ISOLINUX (for CD-ROM), PXELINUX (for network boot), and EXTLINUX (for Linux filesystems). The project provided a simpler alternative to LILO and GRUB for specific use cases like bootable USB drives.
SEE ALSO
extlinux(1), isolinux(1), grub-install(1), dd(1)