GRUB2 is bootloader by default

Since the first versions Calculate Linux uses GRUB for the operation system booting. GRUB is the reference implementation of the Multiboot Specification, which provides a user the choice to boot one of multiple operating systems installed on a computer or select a specific kernel configuration available on a particular operating system’s partitions. Addition, GRUB can pass control of the chain of another boot loader, which allows it to load Windows (via boot NTLDR).

Since the stage from 2011/06/10 (also Calculate Utilities 2.2.16) ​​the transition was made to GRUB2. Differences from GRUB1 (or Legecy Grub) can distinguish the following:

  • The configuration file is now written in something closer to a full scripting language: variables, conditionals, and loops are available;
  • A graphical terminal and a graphical menu system are available;
  • GRUB2 puts many facilities in dynamically loaded modules, allowing the core image to be smaller and built in more flexible ways;
  • GRUB2’s interface can be translated, including menu entry names;
  • The image files (see Images) that make up GRUB have been reorganised; Stage 1, Stage 1.5, and Stage 2 are no more;
  • Partition numbers in GRUB device names now start at 1, not 0;
  • GRUB2 can automaticaly detect another operation system;
  • GRUB2 can read files directly from LVM and RAID devices;

GRUB2 will from now on be used as default for new installations. While retaining the ability of using Legecy grub, so if the system could not be installed with GRUB2, then you can install it with GRUB1. For this you must set an empty value for the variable cl-install --set os_grub2_path= <other parameters>.

Traditionally GRUB2 configuration in Calculate occurs with using templates and GRUB scripts.

To proceed to the GRUB2, without reinstalling the system, you must:

  • update sys-apps/calculate-utilities to 2.2.16 version;
  • update sys-boot/grub to 1.99-r2 version;
  • for autodetect another operation system using sys-boot/os-prober package;
  • for background using grub2 sys-boot/calcboot package;
  • if system already had grub2 then need perform dispatch-conf and apply change for grub configuration files;
  • reconfigure system by command cl-template --live;
  • install GRUB2 by command grub2-install /dev/sda.

If installator said about problem with bootloader installation, please, send output of the executed command grub2-install

grub2-install [boot device] --debug --force

and contents of grub.cfg.