How do you edit the grub menu by hand?  [Solved]

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siamhie
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Posts: 3449
Joined: Fri Aug 20, 2021 5:45 pm

How do you edit the grub menu by hand?

#1 Post by siamhie »

(I don't want to go back to Grub Customizer)

I have the menu set up in flat mode currently and (through this forum) found how to edit the names of the entries to make it easier to find them.
grub.jpg
What I would like to do is have just three entries showing in this order.

Fluxbox-6.6
(this menuentry 'fluxbox, with Linux 6.6.63-x64v3-xanmod1 (systemd))

XFCE-6.1
(this menuentry 'XFCE, with Linux 6.1.0-28-amd64 (systemd))

Fluxbox-6.1
(this fluxbox, with Linux 6.1.0-28-amd64 (systemd))


I have searched through the forum which is how I found out how to edit the names but not anything regarding grub itself.
If I missed a thread, please point me in that direction.


This is my grub.cfg file.

Code: Select all

#
# DO NOT EDIT THIS FILE
#
# It is automatically generated by grub-mkconfig using templates
# from /etc/grub.d and settings from /etc/default/grub
#

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/00_header ###
if [ -s $prefix/grubenv ]; then
  set have_grubenv=true
  load_env
fi
if [ "${next_entry}" ] ; then
   set default="${next_entry}"
   set next_entry=
   save_env next_entry
   set boot_once=true
else
   set default="1"
fi

if [ x"${feature_menuentry_id}" = xy ]; then
  menuentry_id_option="--id"
else
  menuentry_id_option=""
fi

export menuentry_id_option

if [ "${prev_saved_entry}" ]; then
  set saved_entry="${prev_saved_entry}"
  save_env saved_entry
  set prev_saved_entry=
  save_env prev_saved_entry
  set boot_once=true
fi

function savedefault {
  if [ -z "${boot_once}" ]; then
    saved_entry="${chosen}"
    save_env saved_entry
  fi
}
function load_video {
  if [ x$feature_all_video_module = xy ]; then
    insmod all_video
  else
    insmod efi_gop
    insmod efi_uga
    insmod ieee1275_fb
    insmod vbe
    insmod vga
    insmod video_bochs
    insmod video_cirrus
  fi
}

if [ x$feature_default_font_path = xy ] ; then
   font=unicode
else
insmod part_gpt
insmod ext2
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 20cfcd8f-3e81-49d4-a5f4-35784be52c3f
    font="/usr/share/grub/unicode.pf2"
fi

if loadfont $font ; then
  set gfxmode=1024x768
  load_video
  insmod gfxterm
  set locale_dir=$prefix/locale
  set lang=en_US
  insmod gettext
fi
terminal_output gfxterm
insmod part_gpt
insmod ext2
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 20cfcd8f-3e81-49d4-a5f4-35784be52c3f
insmod gfxmenu
loadfont ($root)/boot/grub/themes/mx_logo_ribbon/DejaVuSans-Bold14.pf2
loadfont ($root)/boot/grub/themes/mx_logo_ribbon/DejaVuSans10.pf2
loadfont ($root)/boot/grub/themes/mx_logo_ribbon/DejaVuSans12.pf2
loadfont ($root)/boot/grub/themes/mx_logo_ribbon/ascii.pf2
insmod png
set theme=($root)/boot/grub/themes/mx_logo_ribbon/theme.txt
export theme
if [ "${recordfail}" = 1 ] ; then
  set timeout=30
else
  if [ x$feature_timeout_style = xy ] ; then
    set timeout_style=menu
    set timeout=2
  # Fallback normal timeout code in case the timeout_style feature is
  # unavailable.
  else
    set timeout=2
  fi
fi
### END /etc/grub.d/00_header ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/05_debian_theme ###
set menu_color_normal=cyan/blue
set menu_color_highlight=white/blue
### END /etc/grub.d/05_debian_theme ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/10_linux ###
function gfxmode {
	set gfxpayload="${1}"
}
set linux_gfx_mode=
export linux_gfx_mode
menuentry 'fluxbox, with Linux 6.6.63-x64v3-xanmod1' --class fluxbox --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os $menuentry_id_option 'gnulinux-6.6.63-x64v3-xanmod1-advanced-20cfcd8f-3e81-49d4-a5f4-35784be52c3f' {
	load_video
	insmod gzio
	if [ x$grub_platform = xxen ]; then insmod xzio; insmod lzopio; fi
	insmod part_gpt
	insmod ext2
	search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 20cfcd8f-3e81-49d4-a5f4-35784be52c3f
	echo	'Loading Linux 6.6.63-x64v3-xanmod1 ...'
	linux	/boot/vmlinuz-6.6.63-x64v3-xanmod1 root=UUID=20cfcd8f-3e81-49d4-a5f4-35784be52c3f ro  quiet
	echo	'Loading initial ramdisk ...'
	initrd	/boot/initrd.img-6.6.63-x64v3-xanmod1
}
menuentry 'fluxbox, with Linux 6.6.63-x64v3-xanmod1 (systemd)' --class fluxbox --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os $menuentry_id_option 'gnulinux-6.6.63-x64v3-xanmod1-init-systemd-20cfcd8f-3e81-49d4-a5f4-35784be52c3f' {
	load_video
	insmod gzio
	if [ x$grub_platform = xxen ]; then insmod xzio; insmod lzopio; fi
	insmod part_gpt
	insmod ext2
	search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 20cfcd8f-3e81-49d4-a5f4-35784be52c3f
	echo	'Loading Linux 6.6.63-x64v3-xanmod1 ...'
	linux	/boot/vmlinuz-6.6.63-x64v3-xanmod1 root=UUID=20cfcd8f-3e81-49d4-a5f4-35784be52c3f ro  quiet init=/lib/systemd/systemd
	echo	'Loading initial ramdisk ...'
	initrd	/boot/initrd.img-6.6.63-x64v3-xanmod1
}
menuentry 'fluxbox, with Linux 6.1.0-28-amd64' --class fluxbox --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os $menuentry_id_option 'gnulinux-6.1.0-28-amd64-advanced-20cfcd8f-3e81-49d4-a5f4-35784be52c3f' {
	load_video
	insmod gzio
	if [ x$grub_platform = xxen ]; then insmod xzio; insmod lzopio; fi
	insmod part_gpt
	insmod ext2
	search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 20cfcd8f-3e81-49d4-a5f4-35784be52c3f
	echo	'Loading Linux 6.1.0-28-amd64 ...'
	linux	/boot/vmlinuz-6.1.0-28-amd64 root=UUID=20cfcd8f-3e81-49d4-a5f4-35784be52c3f ro  quiet
	echo	'Loading initial ramdisk ...'
	initrd	/boot/initrd.img-6.1.0-28-amd64
}
menuentry 'fluxbox, with Linux 6.1.0-28-amd64 (systemd)' --class fluxbox --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os $menuentry_id_option 'gnulinux-6.1.0-28-amd64-init-systemd-20cfcd8f-3e81-49d4-a5f4-35784be52c3f' {
	load_video
	insmod gzio
	if [ x$grub_platform = xxen ]; then insmod xzio; insmod lzopio; fi
	insmod part_gpt
	insmod ext2
	search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 20cfcd8f-3e81-49d4-a5f4-35784be52c3f
	echo	'Loading Linux 6.1.0-28-amd64 ...'
	linux	/boot/vmlinuz-6.1.0-28-amd64 root=UUID=20cfcd8f-3e81-49d4-a5f4-35784be52c3f ro  quiet init=/lib/systemd/systemd
	echo	'Loading initial ramdisk ...'
	initrd	/boot/initrd.img-6.1.0-28-amd64
}

### END /etc/grub.d/10_linux ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/20_linux_xen ###

### END /etc/grub.d/20_linux_xen ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/20_memtest86+ ###
if [ "${grub_platform}" == "efi" ]; then
   if [ "${grub_cpu}" == "x86_64" ]; then
true
menuentry "Memory Test (64-bit UEFI)" {
	insmod part_gpt
	insmod ext2
	search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 20cfcd8f-3e81-49d4-a5f4-35784be52c3f
	chainloader	/boot/uefi-mt/mtest-64.efi
}
  fi
fi
### END /etc/grub.d/20_memtest86+ ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/30_os-prober ###
	menuentry 'XFCE (on /dev/nvme1n1p1)' --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os $menuentry_id_option 'osprober-gnulinux-/boot/vmlinuz-6.1.0-28-amd64--471fd16c-b914-4193-8af6-42bc4fed4954' {
		insmod part_gpt
		insmod ext2
		search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 471fd16c-b914-4193-8af6-42bc4fed4954
		linux /boot/vmlinuz-6.1.0-28-amd64 root=UUID=471fd16c-b914-4193-8af6-42bc4fed4954 ro quiet splash
		initrd /boot/initrd.img-6.1.0-28-amd64
	}
	menuentry 'XFCE, with Linux 6.1.0-28-amd64 (on /dev/nvme1n1p1)' --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os $menuentry_id_option 'osprober-gnulinux-/boot/vmlinuz-6.1.0-28-amd64--471fd16c-b914-4193-8af6-42bc4fed4954' {
		insmod part_gpt
		insmod ext2
		search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 471fd16c-b914-4193-8af6-42bc4fed4954
		linux /boot/vmlinuz-6.1.0-28-amd64 root=UUID=471fd16c-b914-4193-8af6-42bc4fed4954 ro quiet splash
		initrd /boot/initrd.img-6.1.0-28-amd64
	}
	menuentry 'XFCE, with Linux 6.1.0-28-amd64 (systemd) (on /dev/nvme1n1p1)' --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os $menuentry_id_option 'osprober-gnulinux-/boot/vmlinuz-6.1.0-28-amd64--471fd16c-b914-4193-8af6-42bc4fed4954' {
		insmod part_gpt
		insmod ext2
		search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 471fd16c-b914-4193-8af6-42bc4fed4954
		linux /boot/vmlinuz-6.1.0-28-amd64 root=UUID=471fd16c-b914-4193-8af6-42bc4fed4954 ro quiet splash init=/lib/systemd/systemd
		initrd /boot/initrd.img-6.1.0-28-amd64
	}

### END /etc/grub.d/30_os-prober ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/30_uefi-firmware ###
menuentry 'System setup' $menuentry_id_option 'uefi-firmware' {
	fwsetup
}
### END /etc/grub.d/30_uefi-firmware ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/40_custom ###
# This file provides an easy way to add custom menu entries.  Simply type the
# menu entries you want to add after this comment.  Be careful not to change
# the 'exec tail' line above.
### END /etc/grub.d/40_custom ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/41_custom ###
if [ -f  ${config_directory}/custom.cfg ]; then
  source ${config_directory}/custom.cfg
elif [ -z "${config_directory}" -a -f  $prefix/custom.cfg ]; then
  source $prefix/custom.cfg;
fi
### END /etc/grub.d/41_custom ###

QSI

Code: Select all

Snapshot created on: 20241130_0604
System:
  Kernel: 6.6.63-x64v3-xanmod1 arch: x86_64 bits: 64 compiler: gcc v: 14.2.0
    clocksource: tsc avail: hpet,acpi_pm
    parameters: BOOT_IMAGE=/boot/vmlinuz-6.6.63-x64v3-xanmod1
    root=UUID=<filter> ro quiet init=/lib/systemd/systemd
  Desktop: Fluxbox v: 1.3.7 with: tint2 tools: avail: light-locker vt: 7
    dm: LightDM v: 1.32.0 Distro: MX-23.4_fluxbox_x64 Libretto May 19 2024
    base: Debian GNU/Linux 12 (bookworm)
Machine:
  Type: Desktop Mobo: Micro-Star model: B550-A PRO (MS-7C56) v: 2.0
    serial: <superuser required> uuid: <superuser required> UEFI: American
    Megatrends LLC. v: A.F0 date: 10/11/2023
CPU:
  Info: model: AMD Ryzen 9 5950X bits: 64 type: MT MCP arch: Zen 3+ gen: 4
    level: v3 note: check built: 2022 process: TSMC n6 (7nm) family: 0x19 (25)
    model-id: 0x21 (33) stepping: 2 microcode: 0xA20120E
  Topology: cpus: 1x cores: 16 tpc: 2 threads: 32 smt: enabled cache:
    L1: 1024 KiB desc: d-16x32 KiB; i-16x32 KiB L2: 8 MiB desc: 16x512 KiB
    L3: 64 MiB desc: 2x32 MiB
  Speed (MHz): avg: 2478 high: 3400 min/max: 2200/5083 boost: disabled
    scaling: driver: acpi-cpufreq governor: ondemand cores: 1: 2200 2: 3400
    3: 2200 4: 2200 5: 2200 6: 3400 7: 2714 8: 2200 9: 3395 10: 2200 11: 2200
    12: 2200 13: 3400 14: 2200 15: 3400 16: 2200 17: 2200 18: 2200 19: 2200
    20: 2200 21: 2200 22: 2200 23: 2200 24: 2200 25: 3400 26: 2200 27: 3400
    28: 2200 29: 2200 30: 2200 31: 2200 32: 2200 bogomips: 217610
  Flags: avx avx2 ht lm nx pae sse sse2 sse3 sse4_1 sse4_2 sse4a ssse3 svm
  Vulnerabilities: <filter>
Graphics:
  Device-1: AMD Navi 22 [Radeon RX 6700/6700 XT/6750 XT / 6800M/6850M XT]
    vendor: Tul / PowerColor driver: amdgpu v: kernel arch: RDNA-2 code: Navi-2x
    process: TSMC n7 (7nm) built: 2020-22 pcie: gen: 4 speed: 16 GT/s
    lanes: 16 ports: active: DP-1 empty: DP-2,DP-3,HDMI-A-1 bus-ID: 2d:00.0
    chip-ID: 1002:73df class-ID: 0300
  Display: x11 server: X.Org v: 1.21.1.7 compositor: Compton v: 1 driver: X:
    loaded: amdgpu unloaded: fbdev dri: radeonsi gpu: amdgpu display-ID: :0
    screens: 1
  Screen-1: 0 s-res: 2560x1440 s-dpi: 96 s-size: 677x381mm (26.65x15.00")
    s-diag: 777mm (30.58")
  Monitor-1: DP-1 mapped: DisplayPort-0 model: HP X27q serial: <filter>
    built: 2021 res: 2560x1440 hz: 165 dpi: 109 gamma: 1.2
    size: 597x336mm (23.5x13.23") diag: 685mm (27") ratio: 16:9 modes:
    max: 2560x1440 min: 720x400
  API: EGL v: 1.5 hw: drv: amd radeonsi platforms: device: 0 drv: radeonsi
    device: 1 drv: swrast gbm: drv: kms_swrast surfaceless: drv: radeonsi x11:
    drv: radeonsi inactive: wayland
  API: OpenGL v: 4.6 vendor: amd mesa v: 23.1.2-1~mx23ahs glx-v: 1.4
    es-v: 3.2 direct-render: yes renderer: AMD Radeon RX 6700 XT (navi22 LLVM
    15.0.6 DRM 3.54 6.6.63-x64v3-xanmod1) device-ID: 1002:73df
    memory: 11.72 GiB unified: no
Audio:
  Device-1: AMD Navi 21/23 HDMI/DP Audio driver: snd_hda_intel v: kernel pcie:
    gen: 4 speed: 16 GT/s lanes: 16 bus-ID: 2d:00.1 chip-ID: 1002:ab28
    class-ID: 0403
  Device-2: AMD Starship/Matisse HD Audio vendor: Micro-Star MSI
    driver: snd_hda_intel v: kernel pcie: gen: 4 speed: 16 GT/s lanes: 16
    bus-ID: 2f:00.4 chip-ID: 1022:1487 class-ID: 0403
  API: ALSA v: k6.6.63-x64v3-xanmod1 status: kernel-api
    tools: alsactl,alsamixer,amixer
  Server-1: PipeWire v: 1.2.2 status: active with: 1: pipewire-pulse
    status: active 2: wireplumber status: active 3: pipewire-alsa type: plugin
    4: pw-jack type: plugin tools: pactl,pw-cat,pw-cli,wpctl
Network:
  Device-1: Intel Wi-Fi 6 AX210/AX211/AX411 160MHz driver: iwlwifi v: kernel
    pcie: gen: 2 speed: 5 GT/s lanes: 1 bus-ID: 05:00.0 chip-ID: 8086:2725
    class-ID: 0280
  IF: wlan0 state: up mac: <filter>
  Device-2: Realtek RTL8111/8168/8411 PCI Express Gigabit Ethernet
    vendor: Micro-Star MSI driver: r8169 v: kernel pcie: gen: 1 speed: 2.5 GT/s
    lanes: 1 port: f000 bus-ID: 2a:00.0 chip-ID: 10ec:8168 class-ID: 0200
  IF: eth0 state: down mac: <filter>
  Info: services: NetworkManager,wpa_supplicant
Bluetooth:
  Device-1: Intel AX210 Bluetooth driver: btusb v: 0.8 type: USB rev: 2.0
    speed: 12 Mb/s lanes: 1 mode: 1.1 bus-ID: 1-2.3:7 chip-ID: 8087:0032
    class-ID: e001
  Report: rfkill ID: hci0 rfk-id: 2 state: down bt-service: N/A rfk-block:
    hardware: no software: no address: see --recommends
Drives:
  Local Storage: total: 8.64 TiB used: 1.07 TiB (12.4%)
  SMART Message: Unable to run smartctl. Root privileges required.
  ID-1: /dev/nvme0n1 maj-min: 259:2 vendor: Western Digital
    model: WDS500G1X0E-00AFY0 size: 465.76 GiB block-size: physical: 512 B
    logical: 512 B speed: 63.2 Gb/s lanes: 4 tech: SSD serial: <filter>
    fw-rev: 613000WD temp: 33.9 C scheme: GPT
  ID-2: /dev/nvme1n1 maj-min: 259:0 vendor: Western Digital
    model: WDS500G3XHC-00SJG0 size: 465.76 GiB block-size: physical: 512 B
    logical: 512 B speed: 31.6 Gb/s lanes: 4 tech: SSD serial: <filter>
    fw-rev: 102000WD temp: 30.9 C scheme: GPT
  ID-3: /dev/sda maj-min: 8:0 vendor: Seagate model: ST8000DM004-2CX188
    size: 7.28 TiB block-size: physical: 4096 B logical: 512 B speed: 6.0 Gb/s
    tech: HDD rpm: 5425 serial: <filter> fw-rev: 0001 scheme: GPT
  ID-4: /dev/sdb maj-min: 8:16 vendor: Samsung model: SSD 870 EVO 500GB
    size: 465.76 GiB block-size: physical: 512 B logical: 512 B speed: 6.0 Gb/s
    tech: SSD serial: <filter> fw-rev: 1B6Q scheme: GPT
Partition:
  ID-1: / raw-size: 465 GiB size: 456.63 GiB (98.20%) used: 10.88 GiB (2.4%)
    fs: ext4 dev: /dev/nvme0n1p2 maj-min: 259:4
  ID-2: /boot/efi raw-size: 779 MiB size: 777.5 MiB (99.80%)
    used: 288 KiB (0.0%) fs: vfat dev: /dev/nvme0n1p1 maj-min: 259:3
Swap:
  Kernel: swappiness: 15 (default 60) cache-pressure: 50 (default 100)
    zswap: no
  ID-1: swap-1 type: partition size: 64 GiB used: 0 KiB (0.0%) priority: -2
    dev: /dev/sdb2 maj-min: 8:18
Sensors:
  System Temperatures: cpu: 28.6 C mobo: N/A gpu: amdgpu temp: 36.0 C
    mem: 36.0 C
  Fan Speeds (rpm): N/A gpu: amdgpu fan: 0
Repos:
  Packages: pm: dpkg pkgs: 2252 libs: 1169 tools: apt, apt-get, aptitude,
    nala, synaptic pm: rpm pkgs: 0
  No active apt repos in: /etc/apt/sources.list
  Active apt repos in: /etc/apt/sources.list.d/debian-stable-updates.list
    1: deb http://deb.debian.org/debian bookworm-updates main contrib non-free non-free-firmware
  Active apt repos in: /etc/apt/sources.list.d/debian.list
    1: deb http://deb.debian.org/debian bookworm main contrib non-free non-free-firmware
    2: deb http://security.debian.org/debian-security bookworm-security main contrib non-free non-free-firmware
  Active apt repos in: /etc/apt/sources.list.d/mx.list
    1: deb http://la.mxrepo.com/mx/repo/ bookworm main non-free
  Active apt repos in: /etc/apt/sources.list.d/nordvpn.list
    1: deb https://repo.nordvpn.com/deb/nordvpn/debian stable main
  Active apt repos in: /etc/apt/sources.list.d/xanmod-release.list
    1: deb [signed-by=/usr/share/keyrings/xanmod-archive-keyring.gpg] http://deb.xanmod.org releases main
  Active apt repos in: /etc/apt/sources.list.d/extrepo_librewolf.sources
    1: deb [arch=amd64 arm64] https://repo.librewolf.net librewolf main
Info:
  Memory: total: 32 GiB available: 31.27 GiB used: 2.18 GiB (7.0%)
  Processes: 495 Power: uptime: 3h 55m states: freeze,mem,disk suspend: deep
    avail: s2idle wakeups: 0 hibernate: platform avail: shutdown, reboot,
    suspend, test_resume image: 12.47 GiB services: upowerd Init: systemd
    v: 252 target: graphical (5) default: graphical tool: systemctl
  Compilers: gcc: 12.2.0 Shell: quick-system-in default: Bash v: 5.2.15
    running-in: quick-system-in inxi: 3.3.35
Boot Mode: UEFI
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This is my Fluxbox . There are many others like it, but this one is mine. My Fluxbox is my best friend. It is my life.
I must master it as I must master my life. Without me, my Fluxbox is useless. Without my Fluxbox, I am useless.
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BitterTruth
Posts: 641
Joined: Tue Sep 22, 2020 7:36 pm

Re: How do you edit the grub menu by hand?

#2 Post by BitterTruth »

The grub.cfg file is generated from a combination of other files found in:

1) /boot/ (kernels and initrd are stored here - feel free to have a look. It might surprise you what old kernels you still have lying around)
2) /etc/grub.d/ (snippets/small files)

this is where the config file is getting stuff like this from:

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/05_debian_theme ### <-------------------- actually a file
set menu_color_normal=cyan/blue
set menu_color_highlight=white/blue
### END /etc/grub.d/05_debian_theme ###


3) /etc/default/grub (standard grub file that you are supposed to do minor edits - MUST BE FOLLOWED by the 'sudo update-grub' command for the changes to take effect)

It is generally not recommended to edit the grub.cfg file because it is auto-generated after a kernel update or if you do update-grub. Either of those events will undo any changes.

As things stand you have 3 choices:

1) TEMPORARY - edit the grub.cfg (safer in my opinion)
2) ADVANCED PERMANENT - check what kernels you have installed, remove any that you don't need, then edit the 2 snippet files (SEE BELOW) followed by sudo update-grub. IF YOU EDIT THE GRUB.CFG ONLY, DO NOT DO UPDATE-GRUB.
3) use a graphical tool - I used to use grub-customizer but I am not sure if it is in the newer repos. Even back then, it was no longer maintained or had issues.

* MX Boot Options doesn't seem to have options to delete/rename/move entries around

EDITING THE GRUB.CFG OR THE SNIPPET FILES

WARNING - EDITING THE FILE INCORRECTLY WILL MAKE YOUR PC UNBOOTALE. IT GOES WITHOUT SAYING THAT YOU SHOULD MAKE A BACKUP OF THIS, AND ANY OTHER FILES THAT YOU EDIT, FIRST

The sections most interesting for you would be starting here:

Code: Select all

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/10_linux ###                                                                <--------------------- actual file where the menu entries are
function gfxmode {
	set gfxpayload="${1}"
}
set linux_gfx_mode=
export linux_gfx_mode
menuentry 'fluxbox, with Linux 6.6.63-x64v3-xanmod1' --class fluxbox --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os $menuentry_id_option 'gnulinux-6.6.63-x64v3-xanmod1-advanced-20cfcd8f-3e81-49d4-a5f4-35784be52c3f' {
	load_video
	insmod gzio
	if [ x$grub_platform = xxen ]; then insmod xzio; insmod lzopio; fi
	insmod part_gpt
	insmod ext2
	search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 20cfcd8f-3e81-49d4-a5f4-35784be52c3f
	echo	'Loading Linux 6.6.63-x64v3-xanmod1 ...'
	linux	/boot/vmlinuz-6.6.63-x64v3-xanmod1 root=UUID=20cfcd8f-3e81-49d4-a5f4-35784be52c3f ro  quiet
	echo	'Loading initial ramdisk ...'
	initrd	/boot/initrd.img-6.6.63-x64v3-xanmod1
}
AND HERE:

Code: Select all

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/30_os-prober ###
	menuentry 'XFCE (on /dev/nvme1n1p1)' --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os $menuentry_id_option 'osprober-gnulinux-/boot/vmlinuz-6.1.0-28-amd64--471fd16c-b914-4193-8af6-42bc4fed4954' {
		insmod part_gpt
		insmod ext2
		search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 471fd16c-b914-4193-8af6-42bc4fed4954
		linux /boot/vmlinuz-6.1.0-28-amd64 root=UUID=471fd16c-b914-4193-8af6-42bc4fed4954 ro quiet splash
		initrd /boot/initrd.img-6.1.0-28-amd64
	}
	menuentry 'XFCE, with Linux 6.1.0-28-amd64 (on /dev/nvme1n1p1)' --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os $menuentry_id_option 'osprober-gnulinux-/boot/vmlinuz-6.1.0-28-amd64--471fd16c-b914-4193-8af6-42bc4fed4954' {
		insmod part_gpt
		insmod ext2
		search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 471fd16c-b914-4193-8af6-42bc4fed4954
		linux /boot/vmlinuz-6.1.0-28-amd64 root=UUID=471fd16c-b914-4193-8af6-42bc4fed4954 ro quiet splash
		initrd /boot/initrd.img-6.1.0-28-amd64
	}
	menuentry 'XFCE, with Linux 6.1.0-28-amd64 (systemd) (on /dev/nvme1n1p1)' --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os $menuentry_id_option 'osprober-gnulinux-/boot/vmlinuz-6.1.0-28-amd64--471fd16c-b914-4193-8af6-42bc4fed4954' {
		insmod part_gpt
		insmod ext2
		search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 471fd16c-b914-4193-8af6-42bc4fed4954
		linux /boot/vmlinuz-6.1.0-28-amd64 root=UUID=471fd16c-b914-4193-8af6-42bc4fed4954 ro quiet splash init=/lib/systemd/systemd
		initrd /boot/initrd.img-6.1.0-28-amd64
	}

### END /etc/grub.d/30_os-prober ###
Notice the layout pattern/format:

menuentry 'name-you-would-like-to-be-displayed'
{
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 20cfcd8f-3e81-49d4-a5f4-35784be52c3f <-------------- partition id
echo 'Loading Linux 6.6.63-x64v3-xanmod1 ...' <-------------- message you want to display once the entry is chosen
linux /boot/vmlinuz-6.6.63-x64v3-xanmod1 root=UUID=20cfcd8f-3e81-49d4-a5f4-35784be52c3f ro quiet (the kernel - look for menu entries that say systemd)
echo 'Loading initial ramdisk ...'
initrd /boot/initrd.img-6.6.63-x64v3-xanmod1 <---------------- the ramdisk file to load
} <---------- these brackets are important

Look through each of the entries and cut and paste, move them around as you wish. Just be careful that you copy full sections.

If you want, you can have the grub.cfg file open and an empty file and just paste the sections that you want into it. Once you are happy with it, post it here and one of the devs can check it for you. Alternatively, somebody might suggest a GUI tool for you.

EDIT: A helpful guide: https://linuxnorth.wordpress.com/2011/0 ... revisited/
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asqwerth
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Re: How do you edit the grub menu by hand?

#3 Post by asqwerth »

I believe the key script in /etc/grub.d/ directory is the file named 10_linux

If you don't mind the whole normal grub menu appearing below, I can suggest a way to place your 3 favourite grub menu entries at the top, by creating a /boot/grub/custom.cfg file, and then renaming /etc/grub.d/41_custom as /etc/grub.d/09_custom.

The 41_custom script is the one that reads what's in custom.cfg and lists them on the grub menu page. By numbering it 09, ie, earlier than the 10_linux script that creates the menu entries in grub.cfg, your custom entries will be displayed first.

I have been using this for a long time on my multiboot machine. Nice and permanent, yet easy to edit anytime you want to change what's in custom.cfg.

No update-grub needed!
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BitterTruth
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Re: How do you edit the grub menu by hand?

#4 Post by BitterTruth »

I can confirm that grub-customizer is in Debian 12 repos.

I know you said you don't want to go back to grub-customizer but what you could also do is:

1) install grub-customizer,
2) make the changes you want
3) have a look at the new grub.cfg that grub-customizer has generated (copy or save it)
4) uninstall grub-customizer
5) Have a look at the grub.cfg again. If it is back to the original, rename it AND replace it with the grub-customizer copy.
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asqwerth
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Re: How do you edit the grub menu by hand?

#5 Post by asqwerth »

I believe grub-customiser creates their own version of the boot menu elsewhere, they don't ever write over the original grub.cfg.

The problem with GC is that sometimes it creates double and triple copies of their boot menu, especially when somehow you see more than one copy of os_prober get copied into their boot menu. The copies may multiply over time.

That was my experience using it but that was more than 10 years ago, though I don't think it's been updated much.
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fehlix
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Re: How do you edit the grub menu by hand?

#6 Post by fehlix »

siamhie wrote: Tue Dec 03, 2024 12:50 am (I don't want to go back to Grub Customizer)
Good. Grub Customizer has shown to create issues, at least in MX Linux. So my personal recommendation don't use.
siamhie wrote: Tue Dec 03, 2024 12:50 am I have the menu set up in flat mode currently and (through this forum) found how to edit the names of the entries to make it easier to find them.
Do not edit /boot/grub/grub.cfg, b/c it get's overwritten next update-grub run:

Code: Select all

# DO NOT EDIT THIS FILE
#
# It is automatically generated by grub-mkconfig using templates
# from /etc/grub.d and settings from /etc/default/grub
#
To adjust resp menu title entries, you may adjust two lines, the first and the last within /etc/lsb-release:

Code: Select all

PRETTY_NAME="MX 23.4 Libretto"
DISTRIB_DESCRIPTION="MX 23.4 Libretto"
E.g. on Fluxbox install change to

Code: Select all

PRETTY_NAME="MX Fluxbox"
DISTRIB_DESCRIPTION="MX Fluxbox"
update-grub will scan for all installed kernels, so you can only reduce the number of kernels by removing old kernels.
And by default will also scan for both sysvinit an systemd entries.
But this can be tweaked easily to only show systemd entries. Later more if you are interested.
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Re: How do you edit the grub menu by hand?

#7 Post by siamhie »

I thought it would be easier to respond to all three of you at once currently.
BitterTruth wrote: Tue Dec 03, 2024 3:12 am 1) TEMPORARY - edit the grub.cfg (safer in my opinion)
2) ADVANCED PERMANENT - check what kernels you have installed, remove any that you don't need, then edit the 2 snippet files (SEE BELOW) followed by sudo update-grub. IF YOU EDIT THE GRUB.CFG ONLY, DO NOT DO UPDATE-GRUB.
3) use a graphical tool - I used to use grub-customizer but I am not sure if it is in the newer repos. Even back then, it was no longer maintained or had issues.
Since it says this at the top of the grub.cfg file "# DO NOT EDIT THIS FILE", I will not be editing this file.
I tried grub-customizer during my MX-21 days and think I had issues which is why I don't want to revisit that program.



asqwerth wrote: Tue Dec 03, 2024 4:08 am If you don't mind the whole normal grub menu appearing below, I can suggest a way to place your 3 favourite grub menu entries at the top, by creating a /boot/grub/custom.cfg file, and then renaming /etc/grub.d/41_custom as /etc/grub.d/09_custom.
I would like to have just three entries on my grub screen all booting systemd.
Fluxbox-6.6
XFCE-6.1
Fluxbox-6.1

I would like to know more on this custom.cfg file you mention. Would I edit my grub.cfg file to my liking and save it as custom.cfg in the boot directory?
Then save the 41_custom file as 09_custom in the /etc/grub.d/ directory?



fehlix wrote: Tue Dec 03, 2024 9:05 am To adjust resp menu title entries, you may adjust two lines, the first and the last within /etc/lsb-release:
I've taken care of that part already.
update-grub will scan for all installed kernels, so you can only reduce the number of kernels by removing old kernels.
I only have two kernels installed in fluxbox.

Code: Select all

ls -l /boot/ | grep vmlinuz
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root  8177600 Nov 22 14:27 vmlinuz-6.1.0-28-amd64
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root 11231744 Nov 22 10:17 vmlinuz-6.6.63-x64v3-xanmod1
My daily driver Xanmod and my backup Debian.
Later more if you are interested.
I am very interested.
This is my Fluxbox . There are many others like it, but this one is mine. My Fluxbox is my best friend. It is my life.
I must master it as I must master my life. Without me, my Fluxbox is useless. Without my Fluxbox, I am useless.
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asqwerth
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Re: How do you edit the grub menu by hand?

#8 Post by asqwerth »

@siamhie you said:
I would like to know more on this custom.cfg file you mention. Would I edit my grub.cfg file to my liking and save it as custom.cfg in the boot directory?
Then save the 41_custom file as 09_custom in the /etc/grub.d/ directory?
My suggested way will NOT give you ONLY 3 entries on the on-screen boot menu, since the grub.cfg entries will come after whatever is in custom.cfg. However, you will have your favourite custom entries right at the top.

Plus:
1] it's safe and quick to do and subsequently edit. No messing with or editing the actual scripts in /etc/grub.d/ beyond renumbering 41_custom.
2] no need to touch or edit grub.cfg at all
3] No need to update-grub whenever you edit the custom.cfg file.

All you have to do is to create a file called /boot/grub/custom.cfg, and copy and paste whatever grub entries you choose from the grub.cfg file into custom.cfg.
The reason for renumbering 41_custom to 09_custom, is so that your system reads 09_custom before 10_linux, and places your custom entries before the boot entries in grub.cfg. Otherwise your custom entries will be placed after your grub entries.

Below, I set out the custom.cfg file with the 3 entries you want. However note that the first 5 lines may not actually be necessary. When I first started, I wasn't sure, so I simply copied these starting lines from the beginning of the /etc/grub.d/40_custom script, which is a totally different method of adding custom entries which does require updating grub every time. This is not necessary for custom.cfg, which will be read by the 41_custom script.

You may wish to open 41_custom script to see what it does.

Also, when you install new kernels, you will need to read the newly generated grub.cfg and copy and paste the correct entries into custom.cfg.

Code: Select all

#!/bin/sh
exec tail -n +3 $0
# This file provides an easy way to add custom menu entries.  Simply type the
# menu entries you want to add after this comment.  Be careful not to change
# the 'exec tail' line above.
#
# ----------------------------------
# Fluxbox 6.6 xanmod -systemd
# ----------------------------------
menuentry 'fluxbox, with Linux 6.6.63-x64v3-xanmod1 (systemd)' --class fluxbox --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os $menuentry_id_option 'gnulinux-6.6.63-x64v3-xanmod1-init-systemd-20cfcd8f-3e81-49d4-a5f4-35784be52c3f' {
	load_video
	insmod gzio
	if [ x$grub_platform = xxen ]; then insmod xzio; insmod lzopio; fi
	insmod part_gpt
	insmod ext2
	search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 20cfcd8f-3e81-49d4-a5f4-35784be52c3f
	echo	'Loading Linux 6.6.63-x64v3-xanmod1 ...'
	linux	/boot/vmlinuz-6.6.63-x64v3-xanmod1 root=UUID=20cfcd8f-3e81-49d4-a5f4-35784be52c3f ro  quiet init=/lib/systemd/systemd
	echo	'Loading initial ramdisk ...'
	initrd	/boot/initrd.img-6.6.63-x64v3-xanmod1
}
# ----------------------------------
# XFCE 6.1 -systemd
# ----------------------------------
	menuentry 'XFCE, with Linux 6.1.0-28-amd64 (systemd) (on /dev/nvme1n1p1)' --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os $menuentry_id_option 'osprober-gnulinux-/boot/vmlinuz-6.1.0-28-amd64--471fd16c-b914-4193-8af6-42bc4fed4954' {
		insmod part_gpt
		insmod ext2
		search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 471fd16c-b914-4193-8af6-42bc4fed4954
		linux /boot/vmlinuz-6.1.0-28-amd64 root=UUID=471fd16c-b914-4193-8af6-42bc4fed4954 ro quiet splash init=/lib/systemd/systemd
		initrd /boot/initrd.img-6.1.0-28-amd64
	}
# ----------------------------------
# Fluxbox 6.1 -systemd
# ----------------------------------
menuentry 'fluxbox, with Linux 6.1.0-28-amd64 (systemd)' --class fluxbox --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os $menuentry_id_option 'gnulinux-6.1.0-28-amd64-init-systemd-20cfcd8f-3e81-49d4-a5f4-35784be52c3f' {
	load_video
	insmod gzio
	if [ x$grub_platform = xxen ]; then insmod xzio; insmod lzopio; fi
	insmod part_gpt
	insmod ext2
	search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 20cfcd8f-3e81-49d4-a5f4-35784be52c3f
	echo	'Loading Linux 6.1.0-28-amd64 ...'
	linux	/boot/vmlinuz-6.1.0-28-amd64 root=UUID=20cfcd8f-3e81-49d4-a5f4-35784be52c3f ro  quiet init=/lib/systemd/systemd
	echo	'Loading initial ramdisk ...'
	initrd	/boot/initrd.img-6.1.0-28-amd64
}

For me, as I have about 13 or 14 different Linux distros installed on my PC, I can't be booting into my main distro to update grub whenever there is a kernel upgrade in a distro, so I label all my distro partitions, and made custom entries to read the custom.cfg grub.cfg file of whichever distro I chose. What this does is when I select a custom entry, it calls up a second menu, namely the grub.cfg of the selected distro, and I then boot into the necessary boot entry in the distro I selected.

Below, I set out the first 2 entries in my custom.cfg. I just threw in a whole lot of insmod lines for each of my menu entries, some will be more applicable than others for each distro.

For instance, /dev/sda has legacy msdos partition table, while /dev/sdb is gpt partition table:

Code: Select all

# ----------------------------------
# Manjaro XFCE Configfile at sdb2
# ----------------------------------
menuentry "2015 Manjaro XFCE Configfile sdb2" --class manjaro --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
	insmod part_gpt
	insmod part_msdos
    insmod ext2
	insmod chain
	insmod multiboot
	insmod configfile 
search --set=root --label ManjXFCE
configfile /boot/grub/grub.cfg
}
# ----------------------------------
# MX23 XFCE RC3 at sda1
# ----------------------------------
menuentry "MX23 XFCE RC3 Configfile sda1" --class mx --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
	insmod part_gpt
	insmod part_msdos
	insmod ext2
	insmod chain
	insmod multiboot
	insmod configfile 
	search --set=root --label MX23-RC3
	configfile /boot/grub/grub.cfg
}
Last edited by asqwerth on Tue Dec 03, 2024 10:51 am, edited 1 time in total.
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siamhie
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Re: How do you edit the grub menu by hand?

#9 Post by siamhie »

Ok, this is what I have so far. This is what my custom.cfg file looks like.

Code: Select all

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/00_header ###
if [ -s $prefix/grubenv ]; then
  set have_grubenv=true
  load_env
fi
if [ "${next_entry}" ] ; then
   set default="${next_entry}"
   set next_entry=
   save_env next_entry
   set boot_once=true
else
   set default="1"
fi

if [ x"${feature_menuentry_id}" = xy ]; then
  menuentry_id_option="--id"
else
  menuentry_id_option=""
fi

export menuentry_id_option

if [ "${prev_saved_entry}" ]; then
  set saved_entry="${prev_saved_entry}"
  save_env saved_entry
  set prev_saved_entry=
  save_env prev_saved_entry
  set boot_once=true
fi

function savedefault {
  if [ -z "${boot_once}" ]; then
    saved_entry="${chosen}"
    save_env saved_entry
  fi
}
function load_video {
  if [ x$feature_all_video_module = xy ]; then
    insmod all_video
  else
    insmod efi_gop
    insmod efi_uga
    insmod ieee1275_fb
    insmod vbe
    insmod vga
    insmod video_bochs
    insmod video_cirrus
  fi
}

if [ x$feature_default_font_path = xy ] ; then
   font=unicode
else
insmod part_gpt
insmod ext2
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 20cfcd8f-3e81-49d4-a5f4-35784be52c3f
    font="/usr/share/grub/unicode.pf2"
fi

if loadfont $font ; then
  set gfxmode=1024x768
  load_video
  insmod gfxterm
  set locale_dir=$prefix/locale
  set lang=en_US
  insmod gettext
fi
terminal_output gfxterm
insmod part_gpt
insmod ext2
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 20cfcd8f-3e81-49d4-a5f4-35784be52c3f
insmod gfxmenu
loadfont ($root)/boot/grub/themes/mx_logo_ribbon/DejaVuSans-Bold14.pf2
loadfont ($root)/boot/grub/themes/mx_logo_ribbon/DejaVuSans10.pf2
loadfont ($root)/boot/grub/themes/mx_logo_ribbon/DejaVuSans12.pf2
loadfont ($root)/boot/grub/themes/mx_logo_ribbon/ascii.pf2
insmod png
set theme=($root)/boot/grub/themes/mx_logo_ribbon/theme.txt
export theme
if [ "${recordfail}" = 1 ] ; then
  set timeout=30
else
  if [ x$feature_timeout_style = xy ] ; then
    set timeout_style=menu
    set timeout=2
  # Fallback normal timeout code in case the timeout_style feature is
  # unavailable.
  else
    set timeout=2
  fi
fi
### END /etc/grub.d/00_header ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/05_debian_theme ###
set menu_color_normal=cyan/blue
set menu_color_highlight=white/blue
### END /etc/grub.d/05_debian_theme ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/10_linux ###
function gfxmode {
	set gfxpayload="${1}"
}
set linux_gfx_mode=
export linux_gfx_mode
menuentry 'Fluxbox-6.6' --class fluxbox --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os $menuentry_id_option 'gnulinux-6.6.63-x64v3-xanmod1-init-systemd-20cfcd8f-3e81-49d4-a5f4-35784be52c3f' {
	load_video
	insmod gzio
	if [ x$grub_platform = xxen ]; then insmod xzio; insmod lzopio; fi
	insmod part_gpt
	insmod ext2
	search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 20cfcd8f-3e81-49d4-a5f4-35784be52c3f
	echo	'Loading Linux 6.6.63-x64v3-xanmod1 ...'
	linux	/boot/vmlinuz-6.6.63-x64v3-xanmod1 root=UUID=20cfcd8f-3e81-49d4-a5f4-35784be52c3f ro  quiet init=/lib/systemd/systemd
	echo	'Loading initial ramdisk ...'
	initrd	/boot/initrd.img-6.6.63-x64v3-xanmod1
}
menuentry 'Fluxbox-6.1' --class fluxbox --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os $menuentry_id_option 'gnulinux-6.1.0-28-amd64-init-systemd-20cfcd8f-3e81-49d4-a5f4-35784be52c3f' {
	load_video
	insmod gzio
	if [ x$grub_platform = xxen ]; then insmod xzio; insmod lzopio; fi
	insmod part_gpt
	insmod ext2
	search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 20cfcd8f-3e81-49d4-a5f4-35784be52c3f
	echo	'Loading Linux 6.1.0-28-amd64 ...'
	linux	/boot/vmlinuz-6.1.0-28-amd64 root=UUID=20cfcd8f-3e81-49d4-a5f4-35784be52c3f ro  quiet init=/lib/systemd/systemd
	echo	'Loading initial ramdisk ...'
	initrd	/boot/initrd.img-6.1.0-28-amd64
}

### END /etc/grub.d/10_linux ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/30_os-prober ###
menuentry 'XFCE-6.1' --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os $menuentry_id_option 'osprober-gnulinux-/boot/vmlinuz-6.1.0-28-amd64--471fd16c-b914-4193-8af6-42bc4fed4954' {
		insmod part_gpt
		insmod ext2
		search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 471fd16c-b914-4193-8af6-42bc4fed4954
		linux /boot/vmlinuz-6.1.0-28-amd64 root=UUID=471fd16c-b914-4193-8af6-42bc4fed4954 ro quiet splash init=/lib/systemd/systemd
		initrd /boot/initrd.img-6.1.0-28-amd64
}

### END /etc/grub.d/30_os-prober ###

I haven't touched anything in /etc/grub.d/ yet because I want to know if I'm on the right track.


*Btw, I do have a current snapshot in case anything goes wrong during this learning experience.
This is my Fluxbox . There are many others like it, but this one is mine. My Fluxbox is my best friend. It is my life.
I must master it as I must master my life. Without me, my Fluxbox is useless. Without my Fluxbox, I am useless.
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asqwerth
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Re: How do you edit the grub menu by hand?

#10 Post by asqwerth »

I just posted the custom.cfg contents just above your post. You don't need all the bits you included.
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