9.2-RELEASE kernel ignores MBR on boot disk

[Erich Dollansky]

Hi,

On Tue, 14 Jan 2014 03:06:37 -0600
Scott Bennett <bennett at sdf.org> wrote:

> Erich Dollansky <erichsfreebsdlist at alogt.com> wrote:
> > On Sun, 12 Jan 2014 06:53:29 -0600
> > Scott Bennett <bennett at sdf.org> wrote:
> >
> > I upgraded one machine from 8.x via sources to 10 around June/July
> > 2012 without any problems.
> 
>      Interesting.  There are some pitfalls to using GPT, largely as a
> result of the placement of the backup copy of the partition map, that
> I really do not want to convert the boot disk if I don't have to.

I used only MBR.
> >
> > I have both on 10 and have no problems with it since I have both.
> 
>      Well, I'll hold off on 10 if possible until 10.1.  I'm on my own
> here and have enough problems without reaching for the bleeding edge.

Just stick with 8.
> >
> > It all sounds weird to me. But you can use gpart to install the
> > loaders from 9.2 for a try. 
> >
>      However, if the 9.2 boot loaders have changed, will they still
> work with my 8.2 kernel if and when I have to revert again?  This is
> my boot drive we're discussing here after all.
>      Anyway, thanks much for your thoughts.  Maybe one of the kernel
> developers will get around to commenting.  Otherwise maybe I'll have
> to try to submit a PR and wait a few months more.  I suppose in the
> meantime I could try 8.4, too.  Sigh.

All my backups have a running FreeBSD installation. So, even the
smallest flash drive can boot. You might will need one with 8 and one
with 9 on it just to make sure.

Erich