---
name: "xxboot"
section: "8"
platform: "openbsd"
package: "man"
version: "8.0-current-20261101"
release: "OpenBSD 8.0-current (2026-11-01)"
platforms: ["openbsd"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/xxboot"
---

# xxboot(8)

LANDISK-specific primary boot loader

## NAME

**xxboot** – LANDISK-specific primary boot loader

## DESCRIPTION

This small program, residing in the reserved sectors at the beginning of the root file system of the system, is responsible for loading the second-stage [boot(8)](/boot/8.md) program (typically /boot), which in turn will load the kernel.

When **xxboot** receives control from the master boot record (MBR), it will print a banner:

```
OpenBSD MBR
```

followed by a little twiddler while reading the second-stage boot.

**xxboot** must be installed by [installboot(8)](/installboot/8.md).

## FILES

- */usr/mdec/mbr*

  Master Boot Record block

- */usr/mdec/xxboot*

  primary bootstrap

- */boot*

  secondary bootstrap

- */bsd*

  OpenBSD kernel

- */bsd.rd*

  OpenBSD kernel for installation/recovery

## DIAGNOSTICS

**xxboot** will print messages indicating errors as returned from the firmware.

## SEE ALSO

[boot(8)](/boot/8.md), [disklabel(8)](/disklabel/8.md), [fdisk(8)](/fdisk/8.md), [installboot(8)](/installboot/8.md), [mbr(8)](/mbr/8.md)