boot partition: The boot partition (or directory -- /boot) contains Linux kernel images that can be used to start a Linux system. A boot manager (like lilo or grub) can allow a user to select from among several (or even boot images on other partitions, as for Windows.

Perhaps a better (or at least an alternate) term is "boot directory" as there is not necessarily a partition.

A bootable partition (aka as an active partition) is something different.

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Contributors

• RandyKramer - 14 Jan 2002
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