# Grub-Legacy-gfx

Note: GRUB Legacy has been deprecated and replaced by GRUB in Arch Linux. See the news here. GRUB also offers enhanced graphical capabilities, such as background images and bitmap fonts. Users are recommended to switch to GRUB or Syslinux instead.

Related articles

- GRUB Legacy
- GRUB

grub-gfx is a version of GRUB Legacy patched to enable background images on your bootloader screen.

## Installation

The grub-gfx package is in the AUR. Note that the package can be compiled on x86_64 architecture only with gcc-multilib.

Backup your current GRUB Legacy configuration. (During the package installation, this should happen automatically; this is a precautionary step.)

    # cp /boot/grub/menu.lst /boot/grub/menu.lst.bak

The grub package will be replaced if it is installed.

After the installation check `/boot/grub/menu.lst`. Edit it accordingly to match the boot entries in your backup. If you failed to create your own backup, look for `/boot/grub/menu.lst.pacsave`. You could also just overwrite your backup copy over the new `menu.lst` and proceed to the configuration below.

## Configuration

The only change in configuration is the addition of the `splashimage` line. In the default `/boot/grub/menu.lst` you will see the following:

    # general configuration:
    timeout   5
    default   0
    color light-blue/black light-cyan/blue
    splashimage /boot/grub/splash.xpm.gz

Otherwise, you will simply be adding the last line to your existing `menu.lst`. This line will point to the image you want to use as the background during your boot selection screen.

Note: This line is relative to GRUB's root partition, meaning if you have your own `/boot` partition, the above should read:

    splashimage /grub/splash.xpm.gz

Finally, it is necessary to (re)install GRUB to overwrite your current GRUB installation or bootloader. Please read GRUB Legacy if you have no experience doing this. On a fairly "standard" install this would mean executing something like:

    # grub-install /dev/sda

But remember to adjust according to your system.

## Splash images

Splash images have to be `.xpm.gz` file type, 640x480, and only 14 colors.

To install a new splash image, copy the image to the GRUB directory (i.e. `/boot/grub/`) then update your `menu.lst` to point to the image. No need to reinstall GRUB; just reboot and you should see the new image.

## Troubleshooting

### Black screen; no menu; blinking prompt

You should still be able to select an OS and boot from this screen. Once you are back into your system check your `menu.lst` file again. Ensure the path to your splash screen is correct. Remember, `splashimage` line is relative to GRUB's root partition. If you have GRUB on its own `/boot` partition, the line will read `splashimage /grub/splash.xpm.gz`. Then remember to make sure you actually have the splash screen you wish to use in that directory.

## External links

Collection of GRUB splashes

Categories:

- Boot loaders
- Eye candy