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Re: problems with GRUB

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On Sat, 25 Jul 2020 anthony gennard wrote:
> Almost 15 months ago I suffered a massive stroke and am left with
> memory loss. I am 90 years of age, and i`m westling with trying to
> recover some computer skill.

Welcome back, and good luck with your project.

> I have managed to build a further machine and double installed
> Debian 10 from a CD received with Debian magazine

There is a magazine? With glossy pictures, top ten lists and letters
to the editor?

> and Windows 10. The install process installed Grub in two parts and
> makes it difficult to catch the option to launch the first, it flies
> passed too fast. I`m too slow to react.

Grub's default timeout of five seconds makes me anxious too. Makes me
feel like I'm holding up the checkout line at the grocery store or
something.

In the file

  /etc/default/grub

I edit the line

  GRUB_TIMEOUT=5

to read instead

  GRUB_TIMEOUT=10

and then I run

  # update-grub

This gives me a 10 second timeout, which for me makes all the
difference.

You can disable the timeout entirely by setting the value to -1, so
that it looks like this (don't leave out the minus sign):

  GRUB_TIMEOUT=-1

With that setting, it will wait for your input as long as you like.

> I am reluctant to try to set up a graphic. How do I do that please.

I doubt I can help you with this, if I understand you correctly.

I prefer just-the-facts while booting. I'd be more likely to have
notes on removing splash screens than setting them up.

Is the typeface legible?

> The second problem I have is with the second machine with a very old
> install for which I cannot remember the login details. I have done
> research but I think the advice is not correct. Does anyone have any
> advice please.

I've got nothing to add to Dan's advice here.

> I`m sorry this is so vague

Nothing vague here. You're doing fine on that score.

> but it is very difficult for me. I`m getting a little better but I
> think I`m hoping for too much/

I know that feeling all too well. Good luck.

-- 
Ce qui est important est rarement urgent
et ce qui est urgent est rarement important
-- Dwight David Eisenhower

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problems with GRUB anthony gennard <agennae@gmail.com> - 2020-07-25 13:00 +0200
  Re: problems with GRUB Dan Ritter <dsr@randomstring.org> - 2020-07-25 14:20 +0200
  Re: problems with GRUB davidson <davidson@freevolt.org> - 2020-07-28 03:10 +0200

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