Lilo (LInux LOader) is a boot loader for Linux.

Lilo does not depend on a specific file system, can boot an operating syteme (i.e. Linux kernel images) from floppy disks and hard disks. One of up to sixteen different images can be selected at boot time. Various parameters, such as the root device, can be set independently for each kernel. Lilo can even be used as the master boot record.

At system start, only the BIOS driverss are available for LILO to access hard disks. For this reason, the accessible area is limited to :

  • The cylinders 0 to 1023 of the accessible hard disks.
  • The first two hard disks.

So, "1024 cylinder limitation" describes the accessible area of a disk.

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Lilo is also the trade name of an inflatable airbed (air mattress).