Bootloader

Grub2

Grub2 on Legacy MBR/GPT systems

  • GRUB2 (with or without graphical menu) will be used exclusively as the bootloader for a Legacy/MBR or Legacy/GPT system.

  • By default, a new bootloader will be written into either the MBR (Master Boot Record) of your first hard drive or in the BIOS boot partition.

Grub2-efi on UEFI systems

  • GRUB2-efi will be used exclusively as the bootloader for a UEFI system.

  • By default, a new bootloader (Grub2-efi) will be written into the ESP (EFI System Partition).

    If there are already UEFI-based operating systems installed on your computer (Windows 8 for example), the Mageia installer will detect the existing ESP created by Windows and add grub2-efi to it. If no ESP exists, then one will be created. Although it is possible to have several ESPs, only one is required, whatever the number of operating systems you have.

Bootloader Setup

Bootloader main options

  • Bootloader to use

    This feature is only available to Legacy MBR/BIOS systems. Users of UEFI systems will not see this option here.

  • Boot device

    Don't change this unless you really know what you are doing

  • Delay before booting the default image

    This text box lets you set a delay, in seconds, before the default operating system is started up.

  • Security

    This allows you to set a password for the bootloader. This means a username and password will be required when booting in order to select a booting entry or change settings. This is optional, and most people are not likely to have a need for it. The username is root and the password is the one chosen hereafter.

  • Password

    Choose a password for the bootloader (optional)

  • Password (again)

    Retype the password and DrakX will check that it matches with the one set above

Advanced

  • Enable ACPI

    ACPI (Advanced Configuration and Power Interface) is a standard for power management. It can save energy by stopping unused devices. Deselecting it could be useful if, for example, your computer does not support ACPI or if you think the ACPI implementation might cause some problems (for instance random reboots or system lockups).

  • Enable SMP

    This option enables/disables symmetric multiprocessing for multi-core processors

  • Enable APIC

    Enabling this gives the operating system access to the Advanced Programmable Interrupt Controller. APIC devices permit more complex priority models, and Advanced IRQ (Interrupt Request) management.

  • Enable Local APIC

    Here you can set Local APIC, which manages all external interrupts for a specific processor in an SMP system

Bootloader Configuration

  • Default

    The operating system to be started up by default.

  • Append

    This option lets you pass information to the kernel or tell the kernel to give you more information as it boots.

  • Probe foreign OS

    If you already have other operating systems installed, Mageia attempts to add them to your new Mageia boot menu. If you don't want this behaviour, then untick the Probe Foreign OS option.

Advanced

  • Video mode

    This sets the screen size and colour depth to be used by the boot menu. If you click the down-triangle you will be offered other size and colour depth options.

  • Do not touch ESP or MBR

    Select this option if you don't want a bootable Mageia, but would rather chain-load it from another OS. You will get a warning that the bootloader is missing. Click Ok if you are sure you understand the implications, and wish to proceed.

Other Options

Using an existing bootloader

The exact procedure for adding Mageia to an existing bootloader is beyond the scope of this documentation. However in most cases it will involve running the relevant bootloader installation program, which should detect Mageia and automatically add an entry for it in the bootloader menu. See the documentation for the relevant operating system.

Installing Without a Bootloader

While you can opt to install Mageia without a bootloader (see section 2.1 Advanced), this is not recommended unless you absolutely know what you are doing, as without some form of bootloader your operating system will be unable to start.

Add or Modify a Boot Menu Entry

To do this you need to manually edit /boot/grub2/custom.cfg or use the software grub-customizer tool instead (available in the Mageia repositories).

[Note]

For more information, see: https://wiki.mageia.org/en/Grub2-efi_and_Mageia