38 lines
1.5 KiB
Markdown
38 lines
1.5 KiB
Markdown
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# ``loader`` | Nightloader Code Partition
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The partition of which the creation code is contained in this
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directory isn't formatted in any particular way; the partition
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which is created using this source code contains the instructions
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and data for giving control over to the next stage. More on
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the features of the *loader* can be found [here](#features)
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## Features
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The loader partition has to perform the following tasks:
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1. Perform the general setup
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- Setup a bigger stack
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- Enable the A20 address line
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- Enter 32-bit mode (Protected Mode)
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- Setup Paging
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2. Enable the built-in drivers
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3. Load additional addons
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- Find partitions accessible with the existing drivers
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- Check the path ``/bin/nightloader/`` for addons
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- Load and start those addons
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- If any more filesystem drivers were found,
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repeat the last three steps
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4. Choose the appropriate action of the three following ones:
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1. If no operating system was found,
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- Send an error to any output
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- Halt execution after 30 seconds
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2. If an operating system was found and there is no
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addon to take control
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- Display all options onto the screen and let the
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user choose which operating system to start
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3. If an operating system was found and there is an
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addon which takes the control
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- Give the control to that addon and let it handle
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the task of finding out what to do
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5. Execute the action chosen by the user in the last step
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