[SOLVED] Need Exact Terminal Commands To Edit /etc/default/grub Mint Mate 19.3 Help Please

lex luthier · 06-05-2021, 02:44 AM

Hello... I have just done a clean (re)install of Mint Mate 19.3

During installation I was not prompted to set a root password.

I would like to have the grub screen menu screen displayed at startup permanently.

I had nothing but trouble in attempting this in my previous mint mate 19.3 installation, and don't want to mess things up.

I used to do this easily in 18.3 but I read that the editor I used then had been removed in 19.3

So, help. please, and thank you !

business_kid · 06-05-2021, 05:03 AM

You want us volunteers who are just perhaps a bit to solve your problems, dress them up, and serve them up on a plate for you? That's not how these forums work.

There's vi & alternatives, nano, pico, joe or, heaven forbid, you could use an X terminal.

You are correct about root. so in a terminal, type

Code:

sudo passwd root

then follow the prompts. I'd advise caution with root.

shruggy · 06-05-2021, 05:18 AM

Well, I don't know what editor you used back in 18.3, but basically any text editor will do. Have you tried nano? It should be installed by default.

Alternatively, edit it with a script (you have to run it as root or via sudo):

Code:

#!/bin/sh
file='/etc/default/grub'
for v in GRUB_TIMEOUT=-1 GRUB_TIMEOUT_STYLE=menu
do
  key=${v%=*} val=${v#*=}
  if grep -q ^"$key"= "$file"
  then sed -i "/^$key=/s/=.*/=$val/" "$file"
  else echo $v >>"$file"
  fi
done

syg00 · 06-05-2021, 05:48 AM

Sounds like a job for ed.

KC1DI · 06-05-2021, 06:29 AM

The command you should use is

Code:

xed admin:///etc/default/grub

enter your password when asked and edit what is needed save the file and then in the terminal upgrade grub with this command

Code:

sudo update-grub

yancek · 06-05-2021, 06:35 AM

Quote:

During installation I was not prompted to set a root password.

If you have been using Mint for several versions you should be aware that your primary user has root privileges using sudo and the root user is not used in a default install. Use any of the text editors mentioned aboe from a terminal.

lex luthier · 06-05-2021, 10:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by business_kid

You want us volunteers who are just perhaps a bit to solve your problems, dress them up, and serve them up on a plate for you? That's not how these forums work.

There's vi & alternatives, nano, pico, joe or, heaven forbid, you could use an X terminal.

You are correct about root. so in a terminal, type

Code:

sudo passwd root

then follow the prompts. I'd advise caution with root.

Sorry, was not intending to seem like I deserved a privileged response. Just being perhaps more specific than usual.

And thank you !

lex luthier · 06-05-2021, 10:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by syg00

Sounds like a job for ed.

Yes. I suffered under Windows too long to act in a caviler manner when changing anything in the "guts".

lex luthier · 06-05-2021, 11:01 AM

Thanks again, KC1DI. I ran the command: xed admin:///etc/default/grub as suggested. The etc/default/grub file opened, but when i started to change the first line I got this:

** (xed:22280): WARNING **: 00:59:00.228: The specified location is not mounted

So I bailed out posthaste. What does that mean? It was frightening at best. -ll

ondoho · 06-06-2021, 02:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lex luthier

Thanks again, KC1DI. I ran the command: xed admin:///etc/default/grub as suggested. The etc/default/grub file opened, but when i started to change the first line I got this:

** (xed:22280): WARNING **: 00:59:00.228: The specified location is not mounted

So I bailed out posthaste. What does that mean? It was frightening at best. -ll

Probably unrelated - just a warning anyhow.
Being careful is one thing - and good for you - but this is going too far.

Why don't you just 'sudo nano /etc/default/grub' instead.

beachboy2 · 06-06-2021, 03:07 AM

lex luthier,

I agree with ondoho's suggestion.

If you are not familiar with using nano, vi, vim etc, then install gedit:

Code:

sudo apt install gedit

Ignore any gedit warnings.

KC1DI · 06-07-2021, 03:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lex luthier

Thanks again, KC1DI. I ran the command: xed admin:///etc/default/grub as suggested. The etc/default/grub file opened, but when i started to change the first line I got this:

** (xed:22280): WARNING **: 00:59:00.228: The specified location is not mounted

So I bailed out posthaste. What does that mean? It was frightening at best. -ll

That warning is nothing to worry about. Go ahead and make your changes and save the file. What is it you want to modify bye the way?