2.5. GRUB Interfaces

This is the default interface shown when GRUB is configured by the installation program, this is the interface shown by default. A menu of operating systems or kernels preconfigured are displayed as a list, ordered by name. Use the arrow keys to select an option other than the default selection and press the [Enter] key to boot it. Alternatively, a timeout period is set, after which GRUB loads the default option.

Press the [e] key to enter the entry editor interface or the [c] key to load a command line interface.

Refer to Section 2.7 GRUB Menu Configuration File for more information on configuring this interface.

To access the menu entry editor, press the [e] key from the boot loader menu. The GRUB commands for that entry are displayed here, and users may alter these command lines before booting the operating system by adding a command line ([o] inserts a new line after the current line and [O] inserts a new line before it), editing one ([e]), or deleting one ([d]).

After all changes are made, the [b] key executes the commands and boots the operating system. The [Esc] key discards any changes and reloads the standard menu interface. The [c] key loads the command line interface.

	Tip
	For information about changing runlevels with GRUB using the menu entry editor, refer to Section 2.10 Changing Runlevels at Boot Time.

The command line interface is the most basic of the GRUB interfaces, but it is also the one that grants the most control. The command line makes it possible to type any relevant GRUB commands followed by the [Enter] key to execute them. This interface features some advanced shell-like features, including [Tab] key completion, based on context, and [Ctrl] key combinations when typing commands, such as [Ctrl]-[a] to move to the beginning of a line and [Ctrl]-[e] to move to the end of a line. In addition, the arrow, [Home], [End], and [Delete] keys work as they do in the bash shell.

Refer to Section 2.6 GRUB Commands, for a list of common commands.