Replace grub with a splash-capable

Forum: DSL Ideas and Suggestions
Topic: Replace grub with a splash-capable
started by: curaga

Posted by curaga on Feb. 01 2007,16:11

Well, I installed to hd a few days ago, and have tweaked it to be faster and prettier.

Just now I replaced the old grub (0.91) with one from my Knoppix 5.0.1 cd (0.97). It works like a charm, and is also a heck prettier. :;):

So, how about replacing the current version with a splash-capable one? It would be just awesome.

Posted by curaga on Mar. 04 2007,16:35

Here's a screenshot:

< Click to see the full-sized version (212k) >

So sorry for the quality of the bigger image, I took it with my celly ;)
The black lines are also from the celly cam..

< Here are some more splashimages. And of course you can create your own >

Posted by lucky13 on Mar. 05 2007,05:40

Quote (curaga @ Feb. 01 2007,11:11)

It works like a charm...

The current one works, too. If it ain't broke, don't fix it. :cool:

Posted by curaga on Mar. 22 2007,13:22

I'd say: If it aint broke, fix it until it breaks

The best way to learning

Posted by lucky13 on Mar. 22 2007,16:27

Quote (curaga @ Mar. 22 2007,08:22)

I'd say: If it aint broke, fix it until it breaks

The best way to learning

Damn Vulnerable Linux beat you to that punch. You can learn via trial and error -- experience is definitely a good teacher. I think it's a lot easier to learn from others when it comes to issues like whether or not a system will even be bootable.

I've told you that's why I don't like this particular idea of splashy GRUB extensions -- nevermind the fact that it's impractical as an extension since extensions load after the OS. The way to change GRUB having a fancy schmancy splash is either via remaster (for USB, frugal, or hard drive install) or after hard drive install.

It's not personal. I really do admire your ambition, curaga. I just don't think this one's a good idea considering the kind of user who'd likely be drawn to it. I still think it's going to attract trigger-happy people who don't have a clue about MBRs or bootloaders instead of people who know enough about those things only to care that the right OS and options load at boot. The kind of user best able to handle this can already figure out how to acquire and install it himself or herself.

If Robert can add this latest GRUB to a new release, great. I don't know any differentials in size, and I accept that the bootsplash images are small-ish zipped files. I don't want people whose whims exceed their abilities to grab an "upgrade" (however it's packaged and/or scripted) that can render their hardware totally inoperable -- and all for a few seconds of fancy graphics.

Posted by curaga on Mar. 23 2007,06:40

Here's some clarification:
remaster is not needed for anything, the image is kept in a persistent directory (usually /boot/grub) with stage1 and others in HD, frugal and usb installations...

The extension is only needed for copying the files to that persistent directory and installing grub to MBR, after that it can be removed.