# [GRUB](http://www.gnu.org/software/grub/)

This section complements the [[InstallNotes]] with complete information regarding the GRUB boot loader. The syntax is different from Lilo's and so to scratch my own itch I'm creating this quick reference. The [Grub manual](http://www.gnu.org/software/grub/manual/grub.html) is another good reference.

* update-grub is **Debian specific** and very nice. It will automatically create a /boot/grub/menu.lst file for the kernels in /boot/. It will also append a manually configured set for other partitions like the GNU/Hurd.
* grub-floppy is a **Debian specific** boot floppy creation script.
* mkbimage is a **Debian specific** boot disk image creation script.
* <http://khazad.dyndns.org/packages/grub-disk/> contains a Debian packaged makefile for creating CD &amp; floppy images. Looks like it doesn't work properly. If you fix it, please send patches to the maintainer.
* essential GRUB commands &amp; disk syntax
  * root
  * kernel
  * module
  * boot
* sample file

    title      GNU/Linux
    root       (hd0,11)
    kernel     /boot/vmlinuz-2.4.18 root=/dev/hda12 ro
    initrd     /boot/initrd.img-2.4.18
    savedefault

    title      GNU
    root       (hd0,15)
    kernel     /boot/oskit-mach root=device:hd0s16 --
    module     /hurd/ext2fs.static                              \
               --multiboot-command-line=${kernel-command-line}  \
               --host-priv-port=${host-port}                    \
               --device-master-port=${device-port}              \
               --exec-server-task=${exec-task}                  \
               -T typed ${root} $(task-create) $(task-resume)
    module     /lib/ld.so.1 /hurd/exec $(exec-task=task-create)
    savedefault

    title           DOS
    rootnoverify    (hd0,0)
    chainloader +1

-- [[Main/GrantBow]] - 01 Oct 2002 <br /> -- [[Main/GrantBow]] - 22 Dec 2002

Another example, just as good, but a lot easier to read. The backslash at the end of each line is to "escape" the enter-key. So make sure there are no spaces following the backslashes!

    title GNU/Linux (Linux 2.4.18)
       root            (hd0,11)
       kernel          /boot/vmlinuz-2.4.18 root=/dev/hda12 ro
       initrd          /boot/initrd.img-2.4.18
       savedefault

    title GNUmach 1.3
       root (hd0,1)
       kernel /boot/gnumach.gz root=device:hd0s2
       module /hurd/ext2fs.static --readonly                  \
              --multiboot-command-line=${kernel-command-line} \
              --host-priv-port=${host-port}                   \
              --device-master-port=${device-port}             \
              --exec-server-task=${exec-task}                 \
              -T typed ${root} $(task-create) $(task-resume)
       module /lib/ld.so.1 /hurd/exec $(exec-task=task-create)

    title GNUmach 1.90 (CVS)
       root (hd0,1)
       kernel /boot/oskit-mach.gz root=device:hd0s2 --
       module /hurd/ext2fs.static --readonly                  \
              --multiboot-command-line=${kernel-command-line} \
              --host-priv-port=${host-port}                   \
              --device-master-port=${device-port}             \
              --exec-server-task=${exec-task}                 \
              -T typed ${root} $(task-create) $(task-resume)
       module /lib/ld.so.1 /hurd/exec $(exec-task=task-create)

Note the differences between GNUmach and OSKit-Mach. The latter **needs** the two dashes after the root specification!

-- [[Main/JoachimNilsson]] - 09 Nov 2002