[STICKY] GRUB Bootloader graphics and enhancements

So, after some searching and frustrating hacking I found out how to add a bootpicture and other useful entries in GRUB.

First, get full read/write access for your system using

gksu nautilus /

A window will be opened, and you'll be asked for your password. Your root folder will open. Enter the /boot/grub folder. Make a backup from grub.cfg, best name it grub.cfg.txt. Open grub.cfg and search for the line

Code:

set gfxmode=auto

Set the resolution the size of your bootpicture, otherwise it will be scaled and look blurry. It could be located in any folder, but it is best to copy it directly to the /boot/grub folder. The resolution has to be VESA-compatible, of course.

Scroll down, then you find some lines

Code:

### BEGIN /etc/grub/.d/05_debian theme ###
.
.
.
### END /etc/grub/.d/05_debian theme ###

This is the old bootloader color scheme. To deactivate it, set ### in front of every line between the BEGIN...END part. Now to the color scheme and the bootpicture.

Code:

### BEGIN bootpicture ###
    color_normal=light-gray/black
    menu_color_normal=light-gray/black
    menu_color_highlight=black/light-gray
    terminal_output gfxterm
    insmod png
    background_image /boot/grub/yourimage.png
### END bootpicture ###

This entry creates a boot selector with light-gray text and a light-gray option selector and transparent background. There are some colors, black is always for transparent. See here for more infos:

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

Now save the file and check if it worked. If you bootloader won't work anymore, boot from the Live DVD, make your harddrive read/writeable and check every change. Alternatively you may restore to your original bootloader.

Something for Thinkpad users: If you're creating a Thinkpad-specific background picture, use this line for highlighting the options:

Code:

    menu_color_highlight=light-red/dark-gray

This line creates a selection line with light-red text on a dark-gray background. Fits very nice to the Thinkpad look.

Some other useful entries for grub are here:

Inserting blank lines:

Code:

### BEGIN Blank ###
    menuentry " " {
    hello
}
### END Blank ###

This was it. If you select this line, you'll return to the bootloader immediately.


If you have a multiboot system with more GRUB bootloaders, you can return to the first one with these entries:

Code:

### BEGIN MBRboot ###
    menuentry " " {
    hello
}
menuentry "Back to main bootloader" {
    set root='hd0'
    chainloader +1
}
### END MBRreboot ###

These lines create an empty entry and the selection to boot from the MBR. This method is much faster than a complete computer reboot. Of course this isn't useful on the first bootloader.

Another way, is to install Grub Customizer. Those items can be modified with this program. http://www.liberiangeek.net/2012/09/gru ... ntu-12-04/