Logo.png      GRUB2 Edit Mode 
                       
Edited Monday, December 28 2009 Document made with KompoZer

This web-page is part of a larger site giving examples of how to install Windows+Ubuntu Linux operating systems 'dual boot' in a computer.  Illustrated Dual Boot HomePage

GRUB's Edit Mode is a very convenient and useful feature for GRUB's users.
You can use GRUB's edit mode to edit your GRUB menu entry 'on the fly'!
This is most useful when you want to add some special kernel parameters at the last minute  or when an operating system's boot entry just needs a small correction before booting.
WARNING: GRUB2 is a work in progress and the information in this website is incomplete and may be wrong and/or out of date.





GNU GRUB version 1.96

Ubuntu 9.10, linux 2.6.30-8-generic                            
Ubuntu 9.10, linux 2.6.30-8-generic (single-user mode)
Ubuntu 9.10, memtest86+
Other operating systems:
Use the up or down arrow keys to select which entry is highlighted. Press enter to boot the selected OS, 'e' to edit the commands before booting, or 'c' for a command-line.
 GRUB Menu
Your computer should automatically boot into menu mode if you have GRUB installed and when there is a /boot/grub/grub.cfg file present. The /boot/grub/grub.cfg file contains the settings which modify the appearance and behaviour of the GRUB Menu.

GRUB's 'Edit' mode is helpful when you want to append something (like a kernel option), to the end of a line in a boot stanza.  Sometimes there's only one or two small changes you need to make in the lines from your grub.cfg before you can get your operating system to boot. Using 'Edit' mode can often be faster and easier than using the full Command Line Mode.

How to enter 'Edit Mode'.
Press your 'e' key from your GRUB Menu to switch into 'Edit Mode'.
Use your 'Esc' key to return to the GRUB menu.
  1. Use your up or down arrow keys while in Menu Mode to select a line (title) representing a boot entry you want to edit.
  2. Press your 'e' key from a GRUB menu to switch into 'Edit Mode'.
  3. In Edit Mode you can use your left-arrow or right-arrow keys to move the cursor to select what character(s) or space you want to edit.
  4. Simply type in the normal manner to add special information (kernel options) or replace any wrong or out of date information in your boot entry
  5. Remember, 'tab completion' is a useful feature
  6. Press 'ctrl' + 'x' to boot

GNU GRUB version 1.96

linux /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.30.8-generic root=UUID=efa85c32-715-4418-9\
559-956a8fbacc8d ro quiet splash
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.30.8-generic
Mimimum Emacs-like screen editing is supported. TAB lists available completions. Press C-x ('x' with Ctrl) to boot, C-c ('c' with Ctrl) for a command-line or ESC to return menu.
 Edit Mode


Keyboard Shortcuts
'ctrl' + 'alt' + 'del'reboot immediately
'c'(from the GRUB menu) = change into CLI mode
'tab''tab completion' - GRUB will try to guess what the user is trying to type and autocomplete the word
- works in CLI mode or edit mode - extremely useful
'tab','tab'Have GRUB guess what the user is trying to type and offer a list of possibilities - works in CLI mode or edit mode - extremely useful 
'esc'(from CLI or edit mode) =  change to menu mode (main menu)
down arrow(in menu) = move the cursor down a line
up arrow(in menu) = move the cursor up a line
'e'(from the GRUB menu) = enter edit mode (edit the selected entry)
left or right arrow(in edit mode) = move the cursor left or right - to select what to edit
'ctrl' + 'x'(from edit mode) = boot the selected entry
'ctrl' + 'c'(from edit mode) = switch to CLI mode
'Print Screen SysRq'make the BIOS beep

 
 Links you should see:

_ BootOptions - Ubuntu Community Documentation

 _ 10 boot time parameters you should know about the Linux kernel - NixCraft

_ Linux Kernel Documentation :: kernel-parameters.txt -

_ Ubuntu - How To Edit Boot Time Parameters - grumpymole

_ Temporarily Edit the GRUB Menu - Legacy GRUB Page - Illustrated Dual Boot Site