Ubuntu
grub2 package

[Ubuntu+other Linux]

Asked by Glen Ellis

Was manually coding the menu.lst
Upgraded to Ubuntu 10.4.
Want to manually code the menu.lst (grub.cfg).
Reason: Have three Ubuntu systems running on a single computer.
Want to add Puppy and Knoppix to same computer.
The Grub output is a roaring cryptic mess to read, and will get worse.

Question information

Language:
English Edit question
Status:
Solved
For:
Ubuntu grub2 Edit question
Assignee:
No assignee Edit question
Solved by:
actionparsnip
Solved:
Last query:
Last reply:
Revision history for this message
Best actionparsnip (andrew-woodhead666) said : 		#1

You dont modify grub.cfg as it is generated. Any changes you make will be lost next time you run: sudo update-grub

so don't waste your time

https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Grub2

will help

Revision history for this message
delance (olivier-delance) said : 		#2

Do you have Grub legacy or grub2 ? (type grub-install -v if you don't know)

Revision history for this message
Glen Ellis (glene77is) said : 		#3

Thanks.
I installed Ubuntu 10.4, XUbuntu, Mint Ubuntu, on the same HD.
The "GRUB2" generates the grub.cfg, which shows all three systems. OK.
It scans and presents everthing it finds rather blindly, just as an automated routine should.

It shows "Ubuntu", several recoveries, "Ubuntu on sda7", recovery, "Mint Unbuntu on sda6.
I simply wanted to hand code the displayed options, just as I had done in the past,
where I made a neat and more annotated option list.

I plan to install Knoppix and Puppy on the drive also,
and the grub options display will get more complex, and harder to read.

Also, this is also an exercise in learning about Linux and minor programming.
Question: what is the language that is presented by grub.cfg ?
It is Linux scripting or some specific programming language ?

Revision history for this message
delance (olivier-delance) said : 		#4

Be careful, grub.cfg will be rebuilt (and erased) each time you do an upgrade-grub.
You have to modify file /etc/default/grub, which defines shell variables, and files into /etc/grub.d. These last files are, if I remember, shell script. Learning shell script will allow you to write programs for administration tasks on the computer.
As I'm not at home, I can't give you links currently, and you will have to "google" to find documentation.

Revision history for this message
Glen Ellis (glene77is) said : 		#5

Delace, and guys,
Thank you for the help.
Years back I wrote Unix scripts.
This is Grub2, v. 1.98.

As you wrote,
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Grub2
is a good website for info.
Have downloaded the scrips .gz file and looked through them.
Scripts for Grub2 v.1.98 are not available at this time.

Linux is interesting to this old man, with not much else to do.
Got to setup the PGP signature now.
Question answered for now.

Revision history for this message
Glen Ellis (glene77is) said : 		#6

Thanks actionparsnip, that solved my question.

Revision history for this message
Glen Ellis (glene77is) said : 		#7

Good GRUB 2 tutorial in 3 parts:
           http://www.linuxplanet.com/linuxplanet/tutorials/7004/2/
This is part #3. Links back to #1 and #2.
Shows History, development, Grub Legacy and Grub 2, with Tips!
************************************************************************************