Frederick Bruckman <fredb@immanent.net> writes:
> > > Why is that still on in GENERIC?
> >
> > To make it easier for people with the old MBR ID to boot a new
> > kernel. Whether it is still needed is a matter for debate.
> >
> > > As long as there's an option to change the ID in sysinstall, it's
> > > not needed.
> >
> > Not everyone uses sysinst to upgrade systems. I never do, for
> > example. I just unpack a new kernel, reboot, and then unpack the sets...
> 
> True. However, if someone were to update their ancient i386 running
> 1.3.1 to 2.0 that way, and render it unbootable, it would be an easy
> fix to boot from a sysinstall floppy and change the MBR ID.

True enough. They could also put their old kernel in "netbsd.old" as
is my usual trick and get things better afterwards. As I said,
"whether it is still needed in GENERIC is arguable". I'm not
going to yell much about someone removing it.


-- 
Perry E. Metzger		perry@piermont.com