LinuxQuestions.org - GRUB SPLASHIMAGE HOWTO part two

GRUB SPLASHIMAGE HOWTO PART TWO
I am right handed so download instructions for briefcase with apologies to lefties.
Part 1 is here please read for the warnings etc
http://www.linuxquestions.org/questi...21#post1174121

contents
PART C FOR THOSE WITH GRUB NO SPLASHIMAGE SUPPORT
PART D IMAGEMAGICK & CONVERT STUFF

PART C FOR THOSE WITH GRUB NO SPLASHIMAGE SUPPORT
PLAN A
1) Backup etc
2) Move your current stage2 file from both /boot/grub and your backup directory that may be in
/usr/local/share/grub/i386-pc
or Follow part 1's instructions to load the cdrom and mount your /opt partition

3) And only copy the stage2 file
4) Reboot and redo grub in mbr to embed the new stage2
5) I still have a issue with grub at command edit mode from mbr and grub on a booted kernel system todo.
6) However, do a reboot and test grub still boots.

TIP
To save time, it doen't hurt to copy all files as per part one in case the grub's stage2 needed more help.

PLAN B Plan A fails for the tests.
1) Backup etc and delete or move all of your grub files keeping only your menu.lst file
2) Then follow part one's instructions.
3) In deleting you could try at the unpack directory you downloaded grub to
make uninstall
4) In deleting the new grub tgz file in slackware-current you can invoke pkgtool and follow the prompts to remove software.

PART D IMAGEMAGICK AND CONVERT STUFF
PREPARATION
a) The menu.lst file needs a timeout command to help with the test.
eg topline of file
countdown 5
means wait 5 seconds if nothing on keyboard pressed (I prefer arrow key) go to the next command.
b) Test that your new grub at the mbr level will have the command "splashimage".
How?? When you do a reboot, grub menu appears. You should see a countdown.
To stop the count I prefer to hit the down arrow. You are free to choose your way.
The on screen text gives options like E for edit or C for command.
Choose command and the screen will change to the grub prompt similar to when we were putting grub into mbr.
Press the TAB key now to see all the commands grub will accept
"splashimage" appears you a winner.
c) Now allow full boot up.
d) Did the convert test work in part one?
e) Grab a known to work splashimage and run the command
indentify (file) eg identify /pathtofile/splash.xpm.gz
The output should include something like this for a xpm.gz format
XPM 640x480 16c 16bit and other stuff.
XPM is the preferred format of image for grub but file names do NOT need to gunzipped or named splashimage or splash. Any name will do.
16c means 16 colours. You can you less colors try 14, 12, 8
Ruslug's site recommends 14 colors but I have used 16 as well.
16bit is the depth level. You can try depth 8 if it not working.

f) The other site (Luis R. Rodriguez at Ruslug) mentions other tips.
g) Once you know what a real file should have why don't you test it?
h) As my way as not resolved running grub from a booted kernel store a few files to be tested in /boot/grub called a.xpm.gz b.xpm.gz etc. Then reboot as go into command mode then issue commands
type root (hd0,0) press enter (we are not in su mode).
type splashimage /boot/grub/a.xpm.gz press enter and see the magic
NOTE that splashimage does not need this syntax
"splashimage=(hdetc)/path/file as we have defined root. Secondly I have found (by accident) I don't need the equals sign. AFAIK there is no splashimage documentation. Please post if you find it.
I) The manual commands of either
man identify
man ImageMagick
man convert
man display
has some heaps of useful stuff.
PS I am not a lover of eyecandy so after I finish this tutorial don't expect more tips. I had some speckle issues with some files. But I must move on.

CREATE YOUR OWN SPLASHIMAGES
A) Acknowledge other people's IP if you know the source.
B) Grab a GPL jpg (freeware if you prefer) or take a photo.
C) Identify it
D) Convert it
E) Display it if you can.
F) Optional gzip it
G) Test it with grub.

C is necessary as why waste time if it is already a suitable format.
D is more likely.

D eg convert family.jpg -resize 640x480 -colors 16 -depth 16 -normalize -verbose family.xpm
F optional......gzip family.xpm makes family.xpm.gz

There is nothing stopping you from defining a new root and have images load from a different partition.
You will need root powers to amend your menu and insert pix.

Test Convert command
1) navigate to your directory you have any jpeg file.jpg
2) type type convert file.jpg -resize 640x480 -colors 16 -depth 16 -normalize -verbose pic.xpm
press enter (we are not in su mode)
5) indentify pic.xpm gives size 640x480 c16 d16
6) Optional compress it with
type gzip pic.xpm press enter
7) copy file to your grub folder and amend menu.lst to new filename.

SOME ERRORS
1)I can see it with a normal image viewer but I get a black screen then horrible kernel output.
I put this down to being too agressive with my colors 16 and depth 16 option try lowering your expectations.
I have not spent a lot of time testing this, I will leave that to the devoted.

2) It has been reported by Ruslug site that some people need to re-run the mbr command EACH change of splashimage file.
I have not found that error and Ruslug reports it should be fixed. But try it b4 smashing your monitor.

3) Pix loads but the colours are not how I designed them. Means downgrade your colours even more then try depth sorry.

Can't help with ImageMagick as I am not a expert.... have a look on the net here

ON LINE CONVERTER
http://www.imagemagick.org/MagickStu...gickStudio.cgi
FORUM
http://studio.imagemagick.org/magick/viewforum.php?f=5
NICE LINKS
http://studio.imagemagick.org/www/topics.html?

Good luck.