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problems with GRUB

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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

#225241 — problems with GRUB

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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.

I have managed to build a further machine and double installed Debian
10 from a CD received with Debian magazine 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. I am reluctant to try to set up a graphic. How do I do that please.

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

 John

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#225243

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.
> 
> I have managed to build a further machine and double installed Debian
> 10 from a CD received with Debian magazine 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. I am reluctant to try to set up a graphic. How do I do that please.

Hold down an arrow key as the machine boots. Grub will stop the
countdown.


> 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.

Generically, you can change the root password this way:

Use the arrow key method to stop GRUB from booting immediately.

Choose to edit the boot command.

Add the string

    init=/bin/sh

to the command line, then boot.

It should make you root, with no network and no services
started.

    mount -o remount,rw /

will make the disk read/write instead of read-only. Now run the 
passwd command to reset root's password. You will not need to
supply the old one.

Finally:

    sync

and then reboot or power-cycle. 

-dsr-

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#225401

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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