What’s new in GRUB2 ?

 

GRUB2 has recently released its version 1.98 with many added functionalities. The last version of GRUB, GRUB 1.97 which was later renamed to GRUB2 brought major changes to GRUB. This made common software based on the initial version of GRUB, namely SUM, useless. It also caused a reduced functionality. Putting windows as the preferred OS also required more than just moving the codes up and down. It required us to read the script and understand how it works before attempting any hack and mod.

Following the success of the modular GRUB2, there has been an update in GRUB2. The latest version comes with many changes like,

* Support for multiple terminals.

* New GRUB reboot.

* Storing passwords in an encrypted format.

* Unit testing framework.

* Support for GNU/HURD.

These are only some changes made over the new features of GRUB2. The features of GRUB2 include,

* Cygwin compatibility.

* Password protection.

* EXT4 File system support.

* Ability to load new kernels.

This makes GRUB2 an instant hit with many security features. The only thing that I miss with GRUB2, is the level of customization. It would really help if a fully functional version of SUM is ported over to run with GRUB2.

GRUB repair tips

 

One of the most common problems when you have a dual boot option is a dreaded Grub error message at boot up...this can happen for instance if you resize a partition using programs like Gparted in linux...thing is you cannot resize your linux partition if your using it...so to do this you have to "Boot to the Live" distro to make changes to existing partitions.

So ok we resized or deleted partition and allocated free space to expand your drive...now in some cases like mine recently i had one of my systems duel boot with XP pro / Ubuntu 8.10

i decided to delete the XP pro and resize my linux...then i hit on a problem at boot up

i got the dreaded Grub loading error 22 message and could not boot to any OS on the system...so had to manually repair the grub boot loader...here is what i did and it might help others if you have the same problem:

This is not new and a well documented linux procedure I’m just doing it here in case if anyone might have/had the same problem like i did.

ok lets begin:

1)Boot from a live distro ie Ubuntu

2)Open a console

3)type in: sudo grub

4)type in: root (hd and hit the TAB button

this will then show you what physical drives you have and return usually as

root (hd0, or hd1,

hit the TAB again and it will list possible partitions similar to this

grub> root (hd0,

Possible partitions are:

Partition num: 0, Filesystem type unknown, partition type 0�7

Partition num: 2, Filesystem type is ext2fs, partition type 0�83

Partition num: 4, Filesystem type unknown, partition type 0�7

Partition num: 5, Filesystem type is fat, partition type 0xb

Partition num: 6, Filesystem type is fat, partition type 0xb

Partition num: 7, Filesystem type unknown, partition type 0�82

The one were interested in is 2 with the ext2fs ... this is the one with the linux installed to

so we type

root(hd0,2)

*caution*

Providing hd0 is the main physical partition it could be hd1 remember!!

Ok so after you have typed root(hd0,2)

Now you need to type:

setup (hd0)

Close terminal exit live cd and reboot...you should have your grub loader repaired

REMEMBER this is for Linux repair... NOT... windows you need to reset MBR if you deleted linux partition and getting a grub loading error message.

Super Grub Disk

 

A bootable floppy or CDROM that is oriented towards system rescue.
Super Grub Disk is a bootable floppy or CDROM that is oriented towards system rescue, specifically for repairing the booting process.
Super Grub Disk is simply a Grub Disk with a lot of useful menus.
It can activate partitions, boot partitions, boot MBRs, boot your former OS (Linux or another one) by loading menu.lst from your hard disk, automatically restore Grub on your MBR, swap hard disks in the BIOS, and boot from any available disk device.
Super Grub Disk project has multi-language support, and allows you to change the keyboard layout of your shell.

You can download the super grub disk from here:

grub-rescue-cdrom.iso

super_grub_disk_0.9798.iso

How to break the GRUB password?

1.Reboot your machine with "linux rescue CD " in it.
2.Typr "linux rscue ask method "
3.vim /etc/grub.conf
4.comment a line which is beginning with the word "password"
5.reboot, your GRUB pasword is removed now

Just follow the steps below
#grub
grub>md5crypt
Password: ******
Encrypted: $1$jxcdN0$hVHViq1aiPf8FziuGJGZp0

/*Copy down encrypted password: */
$1$jxcdN0$hVHViq1aiPf8FziuGJGZp0
/*quit grub now by entering following command*/
grub> quit
#vim /etc/grub.conf
Insert encrypted password in between "splashimage..." and "title...":

Save edited fileand quit

:wq

#reboot

---done------

Now u cant edit the grub menu with to enter and modify u need to giive the grub password by pressing P