CD-ROMs usually have directories under the root directory called bootdsks.144 and rootdsks.144 (for 3.5-inch 1.44M floppy disks) and bootdsks.12 and rootdsks.12 (for 5.25-inch 1.2M floppy disks), which contain the boot and root images, respectively. To find these directories, run DOS either from a floppy disk or a partition on your hard disk to examine the CD-ROM. The boot and root directories for 1.44M floppy disks from a typical CD-ROM Linux distribution are shown in Figure 3.1. If you are copying your files from an FTP site, you can select the boot and root images you need while connected to the remote FTP machine and transfer only the images you need to your local machine.

Figure 3.1
The boot and root directory entries for 1.44M floppy disk images, which are used to create the boot and root floppy disks needed to install Linux.

The types of boot kernels usually available are described in a file in the kernel image directories (usually called README, READ.ME, or WHICH.ONE). The boot kernel images are named to reflect the hardware for which they have drivers installed into the kernel. For example, the scsi kernel image has drivers in the kernel for SCSI-based systems; if you are on a PC that has a SCSI controller, hard disk, and CD-ROM, this is the image you want to copy to your boot floppy disk. The number of boot images available is quite large. These are the primary images available from most CD-ROMs and FTP sites and the hardware they are designed to handle:
aztech IDE and SCSI hard disk drivers, and Aztech non-IDE CD-ROM support, including Aztech, Okana, Orchid, and Wearnes non-IDE CD-ROM drives
bare IDE hard disk drivers only (no CD-ROM support)
cdu31a IDE and SCSI hard disk drivers, with a Sony CDU31 or Sony CDU33a CD-ROM drive
cdu535 IDE and SCSI hard disk drivers, with a Sony 535 or Sony 531 CD-ROM drive
idecd IDE and SCSI hard disk drivers, with IDE or ATAPI CD-ROM drive
mitsumi IDE and SCSI hard disk drivers, with a Mitsumi CD-ROM drive
net IDE hard disk drivers and Ethernet network card drivers
sbpcd IDE and SCSI hard disk drivers with Sound Blaster Pro or Panasonic CD-ROM drivers. This image is for CD-ROM drives run off a Sound Blaster card (as supplied in many Sound Blaster multimedia kits).
scsi IDE and SCSI hard drivers with SCSI peripherals (CD-ROM drives)
scsinet1 IDE and SCSI hard disk drivers, SCSI CD-ROM driver, and Ethernet drivers for networking. The SCSI drivers support Adaptec 152X, 1542, 1740, 274x, and 284x adapters, Buslogic adapters, EATA-DMA adapters (such as DPT, NEC, and AT&T cards), Seagate ST-02 adapters, and Future Domain TCC-8xx and 16xx adapters. SCSI adapters compatible with any of these cards will also work.
scsinet2 IDE and SCSI hard disk drivers, SCSI CD-ROM driver, and Ethernet drivers for networking. The SCSI drivers support NCR5380-based adapters, NCR 53C7 and 8xx adapters, Always IN2000 adapter, Pro Audio Spectrum 16 adapter, Qlogic adapter, Trantor T128, T128F, and T228 adapters, Ultrastor adapters, and the 7000 FASST adapters. Compatibles of any of these cards should also work.
xt IDE and IBM PC-XT-compatible hard disk drivers

With some distributions, an extension is added to the kernel image name to indicate the floppy disk type. For example, if the kernel image is for a 1.44M floppy disk, it will have the filetype .144 as part of the name. Similarly, a filetype of .12 indicates a 1.2M image. You cannot interchange these images, or the diskette will be useless (in other words you cannot load a .12 image onto a 1.44M diskette). Most distributions don’t bother with this convention, since the files are in the appropriate directories for the floppy disk size.

You have fewer choices for the root floppy image. Most distributions include four basic images, although a few more esoteric images also appear from time to time. Each of the root images has the disk size as part of its name (color144 and color12, for example). The basic root floppy images are the following:

The color image offers a full-screen color-based installation script for installing Linux.

The tape image is designed to support Linux installation from a cartridge tape. This kernel has limited functionality and depends on the type of tape drive used. Typically, QIC drives are supported, but users of some models have reported problems.

The tty image is a dumb terminal installation version with no color or graphics.

The umsdos image is used to install UMSDOS, which allows you to install Linux into an existing MS-DOS partition. The installation script creates the subdirectories it needs. UMSDOS is not as efficient or fast as a dedicated Linux partition, but you can retain your current disk partitions.

The color root image is a lot more attractive than the tty image and can make the Linux installation a bit friendlier. The color image is intolerant of typing errors and doesn’t always proceed smoothly, however. It’s worth a try, in most cases, unless you know exactly how you want to install Linux. The color process tends to require much more user interaction, including clicking OK buttons at many stages.

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Once you have determined which of the boot and root images you will use (if you are not sure, pick the boot image that most closely matches your hardware configuration and the color or tty root image), you can create the boot and root floppy disks. If you choose the boot and root images incorrectly, don’t worry. All that will happen is that you won’t be able to install Linux, and you’ll have to start the process again.