Grub menu layout idea

[inp3dance]

Hi,
After updating my Mageia system (first update after install from liveCD), I saw that the kernel was updated from version 2.6.38.7-1 to 2.6.38.8-4, but the older kernel version was not removed, which I think is a good idea, but the grub boot menu got filled with not so clear menu entries and with version numbers.
For example there was a default menu entry to Boot Mageia, which booted the newest kernel, but there was in addition two entries with version numbers for both kernels.
This look I think is not consistent, does not looks good and it is confusing for the not experienced users, especially, when there are more than 2 kernels installed.

I suggest the following layout:

Boot Mageia <- for the latest installed/default kernel
Boot Mageia with the previous kernel <- for the previous working kernel version ( the one befora update, for example)
Boot Mageia with specific kernel version <- submenu, where all the kernels are listed, with version numbers, so the user can select which one to boot, if there are more than 2
Failsafe Boot Options <- submenu, with all the kernels, with version numbers and failsafe parameters. Here can be also some usefull boot entries, like memtest, boot from usb, boot from cd, poweroff.

I will start to learn python programming, and, as my first project, I think I can start to make a script to organize the boot entries like this even if this will not be accepted for Mageia, but that will take some time.

[Lebarhon]

Hi,

If you uninstall a kernel, this one will disappear from the grub boot menu. I don't know if it is useful to somebody to keep many kernels, for my own needs, I would rather have an installer that ask if I want to keep more than 2 kernels.

[inp3dance]

Hi,

I know if the kernel is uninstalled, the related menu entry will be removed. But do the new users know that they need to uninstall the old kernels? I agree with your idea, to implement a mechanism to remove old kernels, but I think after every update, one old kernel needs to be kept, as a backup solution, if the new, updated one has bugs, does not boot, etc.
Anyway, I think that the boot menu needs to be improved, because even with just two kernels, there are three menu entries, excluding the failsafe and noframebuffer ones. Not to mention if there are some custom kernels installed...
I will try to implement a script to reorganize the menu, but will take time. I have a lot of work to do right now, and I need to familiarize myself with python first.

Hi,

If you uninstall a kernel, this one will disappear from the grub boot menu. I don't know if it is useful to somebody to keep many kernels, for my own needs, I would rather have an installer that ask if I want to keep more than 2 kernels.

[Lebarhon]

Why not, I wish you to be courageous enough to do it.