GRUB Configuration: Dual Boot & Text-Mode

**Erebos** · 2015-10-30

Hello everyone,

I have two questions regarding the new grub 2.02 that comes with Kali 2:

1) Configuration of Grub on a Dual Boot Machine:

This is my current /etc/default/grub file:

Code:

GRUB_DEFAULT=0
GRUB_TIMEOUT=5
GRUB_DISTRIBUTOR=`lsb_release -i -s 2> /dev/null || echo Debian`
GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX_DEFAULT="quiet"
GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX="initrd=/install/initrd.gz"

How do I have to edit this file to make it start Windows 7 after 2 seconds by default?
On my old installations (and this one currently as a workaround) I changed the order in /boot/grub/grub.cfg but this time I want to do it 100% correct.
(Also: How can I disable that fancy graphics mode? I managed to change the background image to something different but the font is still terribly small and it REALLY messes up the graphics whilen Win7 is booting. -But that's a different topic I guess

)

2) SOLVED! - Booting Kali into Text-Mode via Grub

How do I have to edit the entries in /boot/grub/grub.cfg so that I can start Kali into a full Terminal mode without ui? Adding "text" after "quiet" worked in older releases, but not anymore.

Here is my updated /boot/grub/grub.cfg

Code:

#
# 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="0"
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$feature_default_font_path = xy ] ; then
   font=unicode
else
insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='hd0,msdos9'
if [ x$feature_platform_search_hint = xy ]; then
  search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root --hint-bios=hd0,msdos9 --hint-efi=hd0,msdos9 --hint-baremetal=ahci0,msdos9  5b71b454-853f-4724-a995-599c871cd5af
else
  search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 5b71b454-853f-4724-a995-599c871cd5af
fi
    font="/usr/share/grub/unicode.pf2"
fi

if loadfont $font ; then
  set gfxmode=auto
  load_video
  insmod gfxterm
  set locale_dir=$prefix/locale
  set lang=en_US
  insmod gettext
fi
terminal_output gfxterm
if [ "${recordfail}" = 1 ] ; then
  set timeout=-1
else
  if [ x$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 ###
insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='hd0,msdos9'
if [ x$feature_platform_search_hint = xy ]; then
  search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root --hint-bios=hd0,msdos9 --hint-efi=hd0,msdos9 --hint-baremetal=ahci0,msdos9  5b71b454-853f-4724-a995-599c871cd5af
else
  search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 5b71b454-853f-4724-a995-599c871cd5af
fi
insmod png
if background_image /usr/share/images/desktop-base/gungnir.png; then
  set color_normal=white/black
  set color_highlight=black/white
else
  set menu_color_normal=cyan/blue
  set menu_color_highlight=white/blue
fi
### 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 'Windows 7' --class windows --class os $menuentry_id_option 'osprober-chain-843A313C3A312D14' {
	insmod part_msdos
	insmod ntfs
	set root='hd0,msdos1'
	if [ x$feature_platform_search_hint = xy ]; then
	  search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root --hint-bios=hd0,msdos1 --hint-efi=hd0,msdos1 --hint-baremetal=ahci0,msdos1  843A313C3A312D14
	else
	  search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 843A313C3A312D14
	fi
	parttool ${root} hidden-
	chainloader +1
}
menuentry 'Debian (Graphic)' --class kali --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os $menuentry_id_option 'gnulinux-simple-5b71b454-853f-4724-a995-599c871cd5af' {
	load_video
	insmod gzio
	if [ x$grub_platform = xxen ]; then insmod xzio; insmod lzopio; fi
	insmod part_msdos
	insmod ext2
	set root='hd0,msdos9'
	if [ x$feature_platform_search_hint = xy ]; then
	  search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root --hint-bios=hd0,msdos9 --hint-efi=hd0,msdos9 --hint-baremetal=ahci0,msdos9  5b71b454-853f-4724-a995-599c871cd5af
	else
	  search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 5b71b454-853f-4724-a995-599c871cd5af
	fi
	echo	'Loading Linux 4.0.0-kali1-amd64 ...'
	linux	/boot/vmlinuz-4.0.0-kali1-amd64 root=UUID=5b71b454-853f-4724-a995-599c871cd5af ro initrd=/install/initrd.gz quiet
	echo	'Loading initial ramdisk ...'
	initrd	/boot/initrd.img-4.0.0-kali1-amd64
}
submenu 'Advanced options for Debian (Graphic)' $menuentry_id_option 'gnulinux-advanced-5b71b454-853f-4724-a995-599c871cd5af' {
	menuentry 'Kali GNU/Linux, with Linux 4.0.0-kali1-amd64' --class kali --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os $menuentry_id_option 'gnulinux-4.0.0-kali1-amd64-advanced-5b71b454-853f-4724-a995-599c871cd5af' {
		load_video
		insmod gzio
		if [ x$grub_platform = xxen ]; then insmod xzio; insmod lzopio; fi
		insmod part_msdos
		insmod ext2
		set root='hd0,msdos9'
		if [ x$feature_platform_search_hint = xy ]; then
		  search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root --hint-bios=hd0,msdos9 --hint-efi=hd0,msdos9 --hint-baremetal=ahci0,msdos9  5b71b454-853f-4724-a995-599c871cd5af
		else
		  search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 5b71b454-853f-4724-a995-599c871cd5af
		fi
		echo	'Loading Linux 4.0.0-kali1-amd64 ...'
		linux	/boot/vmlinuz-4.0.0-kali1-amd64 root=UUID=5b71b454-853f-4724-a995-599c871cd5af ro initrd=/install/initrd.gz quiet
		echo	'Loading initial ramdisk ...'
		initrd	/boot/initrd.img-4.0.0-kali1-amd64
	}
	menuentry 'Kali GNU/Linux, with Linux 4.0.0-kali1-amd64 (recovery mode)' --class kali --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os $menuentry_id_option 'gnulinux-4.0.0-kali1-amd64-recovery-5b71b454-853f-4724-a995-599c871cd5af' {
		load_video
		insmod gzio
		if [ x$grub_platform = xxen ]; then insmod xzio; insmod lzopio; fi
		insmod part_msdos
		insmod ext2
		set root='hd0,msdos9'
		if [ x$feature_platform_search_hint = xy ]; then
		  search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root --hint-bios=hd0,msdos9 --hint-efi=hd0,msdos9 --hint-baremetal=ahci0,msdos9  5b71b454-853f-4724-a995-599c871cd5af
		else
		  search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 5b71b454-853f-4724-a995-599c871cd5af
		fi
		echo	'Loading Linux 4.0.0-kali1-amd64 ...'
		linux	/boot/vmlinuz-4.0.0-kali1-amd64 root=UUID=5b71b454-853f-4724-a995-599c871cd5af ro single initrd=/install/initrd.gz
		echo	'Loading initial ramdisk ...'
		initrd	/boot/initrd.img-4.0.0-kali1-amd64
	}
}
menuentry 'Debian (Terminal)' --class kali --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os $menuentry_id_option 'gnulinux-simple-5b71b454-853f-4724-a995-599c871cd5af' {
	load_video
	insmod gzio
	if [ x$grub_platform = xxen ]; then insmod xzio; insmod lzopio; fi
	insmod part_msdos
	insmod ext2
	set root='hd0,msdos9'
	if [ x$feature_platform_search_hint = xy ]; then
	  search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root --hint-bios=hd0,msdos9 --hint-efi=hd0,msdos9 --hint-baremetal=ahci0,msdos9  5b71b454-853f-4724-a995-599c871cd5af
	else
	  search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 5b71b454-853f-4724-a995-599c871cd5af
	fi
	echo	'Loading Linux 4.0.0-kali1-amd64 ...'
	linux	/boot/vmlinuz-4.0.0-kali1-amd64 root=UUID=5b71b454-853f-4724-a995-599c871cd5af ro initrd=/install/initrd.gz quiet systemd.unit=multi-user.target
	echo	'Loading initial ramdisk ...'
	initrd	/boot/initrd.img-4.0.0-kali1-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/30_os-prober ###

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

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/30_uefi-firmware ###
### 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 ###

The trick is adding "systemd.unit=multi-user.target" to the kernel parameter instead if "text". Thanks to duxim for pointing me ito the right direction!
(And yes, it is edited, but as I said that's only meant to be a workaround so my machine starts into windows by default)

My machine is a Toshiba Sattelite L50-B 2C8 (Intel i7-u5500, 8GB ram, ATI R7 GPU, 500GB SSD).
Thanks in Advance,

Erebos

**rkelly** · 2015-10-31

[QUOTE=Erebos;52178]
Here is my current /boot/grub/grub.cfg

Code:

...
menuentry 'Windows 7' --class windows --class os $menuentry_id_option 'osprober-chain-843A313C3A312D14' {
	insmod part_msdos
	insmod ntfs
	set root='hd0,msdos1'
	if [ x$feature_platform_search_hint = xy ]; then
	  search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root --hint-bios=hd0,msdos1 --hint-efi=hd0,msdos1 --hint-baremetal=ahci0,msdos1  843A313C3A312D14
	else
	  search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 843A313C3A312D14
	fi
	parttool ${root} hidden-
	chainloader +1
}
...

[QUOTE]

First, I don't have the answer to your problem, but I want notifs when someone does. Can I ask something about your grub.cfg? Can you tell me how you assembled this codeblock above, the menuentry for Win7? Trying to make mine for Win10 and I'm not sure what you've put where, I figure the long form disk name is one of them, and I'm also not sure if msdos9 technically goes anywhere since there's no real such thing (right?) for Win10. What is the `843...` number?

And I'm very interested in seeing if the grub login screen can have a font size slightly larger, too, so basically I'm subbing your thread

it's ridiculous on mine, the top entry is WHITE TEXT ON A WHITE BACKGROUND in VERY tiny font, ***

**duxim** · 2015-10-31

@Erebos
first your grub.cfg don't have windows entry
try fist this command
sudo update-grub
if windows is not listed then you have to repair your boot with
hiren's boot or boot repir cd
the main task in this step is get windows to boot directly.
after that you can use any live Linux distro with grub 2.02 to install it on mbr (dev/sda)
very good link about grub is
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Grub2/Setup

"How can I disable that fancy graphics mode? I managed to change the background image to something different but the font is still terribly small and it REALLY messes up the graphics whilen Win7 is booting"
try to install light version of Kali instead of full

"Booting Kali into Text-Mode via Grub"
I am thinking that is no longer possible to boot in text mode via grub.
instead of that I found this solution

cd /lib/systemd/system
ln -sf multi-user-target default.target

**Erebos** · 2015-11-01

Originally Posted by rkelly

(...)
First, I don't have the answer to your problem, but I want notifs when someone does. Can I ask something about your grub.cfg? Can you tell me how you assembled this codeblock above, the menuentry for Win7? Trying to make mine for Win10 and I'm not sure what you've put where, I figure the long form disk name is one of them, and I'm also not sure if msdos9 technically goes anywhere since there's no real such thing (right?) for Win10. What is the `843...` number?

And I'm very interested in seeing if the grub login screen can have a font size slightly larger, too, so basically I'm subbing your thread

it's ridiculous on mine, the top entry is WHITE TEXT ON A WHITE BACKGROUND in VERY tiny font, ***

The codeblock was assembled automatically by the Installer of Kali after the setup of the system, the only thing I did was to cut and paste it above the Kali entries.
Regarding the white text, the only solution so far seems to be deleting the line

Code:

GRUB_BACKGROUND= ....

in your /etc/default/grub file. That should turn your background completely black. -Or you could just provide a path to a more suitable image. Grub automatically scales them to its needs.

Originally Posted by duxim

@Erebos
first your grub.cfg don't have windows entry
try fist this command
sudo update-grub
if windows is not listed then you have to repair your boot with
hiren's boot or boot repir cd
the main task in this step is get windows to boot directly.
after that you can use any live Linux distro with grub 2.02 to install it on mbr (dev/sda)
very good link about grub is
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Grub2/Setup

"How can I disable that fancy graphics mode? I managed to change the background image to something different but the font is still terribly small and it REALLY messes up the graphics whilen Win7 is booting"
try to install light version of Kali instead of full

"Booting Kali into Text-Mode via Grub"
I am thinking that is no longer possible to boot in text mode via grub.
instead of that I found this solution

cd /lib/systemd/system
ln -sf multi-user-target default.target

My grub.cfg has in fact a Windows 7 entry, it's the one that rkelly quoted.

Code:

menuentry 'Windows 7' --class windows --class os $menuentry_id_option 'osprober-chain-843A313C3A312D14' {
	insmod part_msdos
	insmod ntfs
	set root='hd0,msdos1'
	if [ x$feature_platform_search_hint = xy ]; then
	  search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root --hint-bios=hd0,msdos1 --hint-efi=hd0,msdos1 --hint-baremetal=ahci0,msdos1  843A313C3A312D14
	else
	  search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 843A313C3A312D14
	fi
	parttool ${root} hidden-
	chainloader +1
}

I just moved it above all the Kali entries to make it boot at first. I've read that you can use

Code:

GRUB_DEFAULT= n

in the /etc/default/grub file, where n stands for the index of the entries, but I wasn't sure whether or not to concider the submenu entries aswell or not.

- Does the light version of Kali come with a differnet grub? Because I meant the fancy graphics mode in Grub, not Kali itself (the latter was my next question

)

Thank you for that solution, that worked ^^

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