How to Give Your GRand Unified Bootloader a Custom Theme « Null Byte :: WonderHowTo

GRUB, or theGRandUnifiedBootloader, is a program that installs to your Master Boot Record and controls what operating system you load at boot time. Normally, it is used for multi-boot systems. Multi-boots allow you to switch between operating systems installed on seperate drives, or partitions at boot time. Linux actually uses it as its default bootloader, even without multiple operating systems.Today inNull Byte, we are going to be looking at an alternative to GRUB legacy. This alternative will allow us to have background images in the bootloader, as well as change the font and selection colors, allowing you to have a completely unique and custom bootloader.PrerequisitesYou must have a multi-boot system or a Linux operating system.Root access to the computer.Step1Install GRUB-GFXFirst, we need to install the version of GRUB that has graphics support. I'm using Arch Linux, so I will useyaourtto install it. If you have no package manager, go to their website todownload it.First, make a copy of your old GRUB menu.lst file:cp /boot/grub/menu.lst /boot/grub/menu.lst.bakNow install GRUB-GFX:yaourt -S grub-gfxIf you are on a Debian-based distro (Ubuntu, Mint) then, install usingapt-get.When the prompt tells you it will replace GRUB if it's installed, typeyes.Step2ConfigurationNext, we need to configure our new GRUB setup. We need to tell it where our background image will be, as well as reinstall it to our MBR partition.First, we need to tell GRUB where our image file will be. Add this line:splashimage /boot/grub/arch.xpm.gzIt should look like this:This also brings us to our next changes: color and highlighted colors of text. Change the lines above the one we just created to colors of your liking while keeping original syntax. Here is what mine looks like:Step3Install GRUB to the Master Boot RecordNow we just install GRUB to where our master boot record is located. If you only have one OS installed, it is likely that your boot partition is located at/dev/sdaor/dev/sda1. To make sure of this, issue the following command in a terminal:sudo cfdiskWhichever partition is toggled with the Boot Flag is the location you need to install GRUB. Install GRUB with your boot path. Leave this program by issuingcrtl + con your keyboard:su && grub-install /dev/<your partition name here>All finished! There is one last part we didn't go over...how exactly does one create images?How to Create GRUB BackgroundsGRUB-GFX uses a unique image format. It's an .xpm image file inside of a gzip archive. There is also a 640x480 resolution, and 14-color limitation. So lets get started!Pick your image.Open the image inGIMP.Click:Image > Scale Image. Change the resolution to 640x480.ClickImage > Mode > Indexed.Change the maximum amount of colors to 14.Save the image asarch.xpm.Move the image to your Desktop.Cmd:gzip ~/Deskop/arch.xpmCmd:sudo mv ~/Deskop/arch.xpm.gzYou are all set, with no need to reboot! Come join theIRCand chat with the rest of Null Byte!Want to start making money as a white hat hacker?Jump-start your hacking career with our2020 Premium Ethical Hacking Certification Training Bundlefrom the newNull Byte Shopand get over 60 hours of training from cybersecurity professionals.Buy Now (90% off) >Other worthwhile deals to check out:97% off The Ultimate 2021 White Hat Hacker Certification Bundle99% off The 2021 All-in-One Data Scientist Mega Bundle98% off The 2021 Premium Learn To Code Certification Bundle62% off MindMaster Mind Mapping Software: Perpetual LicenseImage viaPhotobucketRelatedHow To:Install a Custom Recovery on Your Nexus Without Using a ComputerPSA:Unlocking Your Pixel's Bootloader Does NOT Void Your WarrantyHow To:Update TWRP Recovery with a Material Design Theme on Your Nexus 5How To:Unlock the Bootloader on Your OnePlus 6How To:Theme TWRP on Your LG G3 for a More User-Friendly RecoveryHow To:Install GRUB 2 and apply themes on Ubuntu LinuxNews:4 Ways the OnePlus 6T Makes Rooting EasyHow To:List of Phones with Unlockable BootloadersHow To:The Definitive Nexus 7 Guide to Bootloader Unlocking, Rooting, & Installing Custom RecoveriesHow To:Root and Unlock the Bootloader on a Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 (7.0) 4G LTE from VerizonNews:4 Reasons the OnePlus 5T Is the Best Phone for Rooting & Modding in 2018How To:Add a “Reboot into Recovery” Option to Your Nexus 5's Power MenuNews:The Experiment Is Over — Huawei Will No Longer Help Users Unlock Their BootloadersNews:Why Project Treble Is a Huge Win for Exynos Galaxy S9 OwnersHow To:Unlock the Bootloader on Your Pixel 2 or Pixel 2 XLHow To:Install the ElementalX Custom Kernel on Your OnePlus 6THow To:Install a Custom Recovery on Your Bootloader-Locked Galaxy Note 3 (AT&T or Verizon)How To:Get Android Pay Working on a Rooted DeviceHow To:Ditch Stock & Install a Custom Android ROM on Your HTC EVO 4G LTEHow To:Root Your HTC EVO 4G LTE Using TWRP & SuperSUHow To:Unlock the Bootloader, Install a Custom Recovery, & Root the OnePlus OneHow To:Unlock Your LG V20's Bootloader (US Variant)Hack Like a Pro:Linux Basics for the Aspiring Hacker, Part 21 (GRUB Bootloader)How To:Unlock the Bootloader, Install TWRP, & Root the Google Play Edition HTC OneHow To:Unlock the Bootloader on Your OnePlus 6THow To:Theme Lollipop on Your Nexus 5 with a Darker Material Design LookHow To:Unlock Your Bootloader, Root Your HTC One, & Install a Custom Recovery (Using TWRP)How To:The Easiest Way to Unlock the Bootloader on Your HTC EVO 4G LTE or Other HTC SmartphoneHow To:Hack Your Nexus 7 into a Hybrid Android Tablet That Looks & Feels Like Both iOS & TouchWizHow To:Install a Custom Kernel on the Essential PH-1How To:Unlock the Bootloader on Your LG G6 (T-Mobile Variant)How To:Unlock the Bootloader & Root Your HTC One Running Android 4.4.2 KitKatHow To:The Best Phones for Rooting & Modding in 2020How To:Root Your Pixel 4 with Magisk — The Easy WayHow To:Easily Root Your Nexus 7 Tablet Running Android 4.3 Jelly Bean (Mac Guide)News:Elastix Open Source Unified Communications SystemNews:Grand ExchangeNews:Infinity art Photography Expo - Deadline January 15, 2011News:Breath with the Dalai LamaNews:1st Annual Witness to Nature Photo Contest™ - Deadline March 31, 2011