Full HD install - F2 / F3 - boot options listings


Forum: HD Install
Topic: Full HD install - F2 / F3 - boot options listings
started by: john.martzouco

Posted by john.martzouco on Dec. 08 2007,20:35
Is there something I can add to my /etc/grub/menu.lst that will show up the same information as the LiveCD's F2 / F3 screens?

I'd find it helpful to have the boot options listings available when I boot up (especially these days as I'm trying to tune my machine).

Much thanks,
John

Posted by mikshaw on Dec. 09 2007,17:31
I think you can create a menu entry that uses "cat <filename>" instead of "kernel <kernel string>", but I have not tried it and don't know the specifics of how it's done.
Posted by curaga on Dec. 09 2007,17:40
Or you could use extlinux; it accepts the same configuration as syslinux and isolinux
Posted by curaga on Dec. 09 2007,17:43
from the grub info pages:
Quote
13.3.3 cat
----------

-- Command: cat file
    Display the contents of the file FILE. This command may be useful
    to remind you of your OS's root partition:

         grub> cat /etc/fstab

Try this at first in the shell.

Posted by Juanito on Dec. 10 2007,03:28
Quote
Or you could use extlinux; it accepts the same configuration as syslinux and isolinux

- I've been using extlinux with dsl-3.4.x and dsl-4.x for a few months now with usb boot. It works well and you can work with files in w2k with the freeware ext drivers.

Posted by john.martzouco on Dec. 10 2007,11:59
Fellas, I'm completely unaware of what extlinux is and how it will help me display the F2/F3 info?

Does the F2/F3 info exist in a text file on the CD and is that why you are suggesting I can hook it up with the cat command?

Posted by Juanito on Dec. 10 2007,12:08
extlinux is analagous to syslinux - in the same way as syslinux allows you to boot a fat partition, extlinux will allow you to boot an ext partition (see syslinux_mssys.tar.gz in mydsl testing).

I think what Caraga was getting at was that you will get the same F2/F3 display of boot options if you use extlinux to boot an ext partition.

...otherwise, F2 & F3 are text files within the dsl iso that are unpacked onto cd, usb stick, hd, whatever.

Posted by curaga on Dec. 10 2007,15:28
Yeah, they are just text files, in the cd they live in /boot/isolinux as f2 and f3.
Posted by mikshaw on Dec. 11 2007,21:54
I tried the grub cat command, and it didn't work as I had hoped. The command does work if it's typed in grub, but when I tried it in the menu merely flashed the grub console and immediately returned to the menu. In that instant it didn't look as though any text was displayed other than "booting cat", so I'm guessing I may have simply gotten the syntax wrong. The grub info states that the cat command can be used in menu, but I'm not yet sure how.

Ths is what I tried that DIDN'T work in the menu:
Code Sample
title cat test
cat (hd0,0)/home/mik/testing.txt

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