Install grub2 on Debian Linux

Grub2 supports high res background, e.g. 1024×768, 1280×800, supports more picture format, e.g. JPEG, PNG, TGA, and 24bit color. This tutorial will guide to install grub2 to replace grub.

Note: I am running Debian Lenny. The commands should be similar if you are running Ubuntu or Debian etch.

I. Installtion

i. sudo aptitude install grub2 grub-pc grub-common

The following message will be propmpted:

      GRUB upgrade scripts have detected a GRUB Legacy setup in /boot/grub.
      In order to replace the Legacy version of GRUB in your system, it is
      recommended that /boot/grub/menu.lst is adjusted to chainload GRUB 2
      from your existing GRUB Legacy setup. This step may be automaticaly
      performed now.

      It’s recommended that you accept chainloading GRUB 2 from menu.lst, and
      verify that your new GRUB 2 setup is functional for you, before you
      install it directly to your MBR (Master Boot Record).

      In either case, whenever you want GRUB 2 to be loaded directly from MBR,
      you can do so by issuing (as root) the following command:
      upgrade-from-grub-legacy

Question: Chainload from menu.lst?
- Yes
The following Linux command line was extracted from the `kopt’ parameter in GRUB Legacy’s menu.lst. Please verify that it is correct, and modify it if necessary.
- Linux command line:
- Dont need to input anything, Press Enter.

ii. Restart the system. You will see the grub menu has been changed. Grub2 item is added to the list. (The original grub is still in the MBR it chains to new grub2 as an menu item). To remove the grub completely and use grub2 instead, you need to:
- sudo upgrade-from-grub-legacy

II. Configuration

grub2's configuration file is /boot/grub/grub.cfg.

i. Add Entry for Windows Partition

sudo vi /etc/grub.d/11_windows
- #!/bin/sh -e
- echo “Adding Windows” >&2
- cat « EOF
- menuentry “Windows XP” {
- # Adjust the partition number as needed
- chainloader (hd0,1)+1
- }
- EOF
sudo chmod +x /etc/grub.d/11_windows
sudo update-grub
reboot