How to have a graphical GRUB (Updated Package Available)

[nic2109]

I've only just come across this topic, so sorry if this is all too little, too late.

Back to the "newbie-friendliness vs geekyness" discussion from a little earlier................

One of the nice things about booting up the heavier-weight Linux distros is the splash screen and the way the progress of the boot process is presented.

It's that crucial first-impression and puppy is currently tending to geekiness in that respect.

I'll give this offering a try as it looks really "nice".

[CatDude]

Hello wolfwatcher51

Glad to here that you got it sorted.

There are so many incredibly talented people like yourself in this forum

Very kind of you to say, but i dont think of myself like that, just as somebody who likes to dabble

I think that it would be easier for us noobs if the instructions said something like, backup your menu.lst file and then modify the original. Uncomment out the timeout line and set for the length of time you want puppy to wait before loading the default version. Comment out the color line. After the color line insert a line with "gfxmenu /boot/grub/message.puppy. Save and exit then reboot and be pleased.

Again, thanks for the graphical and the lesson. Keep up the great work, Chris.

Well, i have just edited it, and hope it is a little bit clearer, please take a look and let me know.

CatDude
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[wolfwatcher51]

Hello CatDude, sorry for the delay in responding.

I have looked over the new instructions and I think that they ought to do it.

Obviously, I know nothing of building .pet packages or their capabilities. I think the most important thing for anybody that is going to make changes is that they backup the original, either by renaming it and leaving it where it is, or copying to another directory, or both.

What I think is going on with the .pet package is that it replaces or overwrites the original menu.lst file, hence the backup first. Under the corporate heading of "no job is too tough for somebody else to do", would it not be simpler to just have the .pet package modify the current menu.lst to uncomment out the timeout, comment out the color line, and insert the gfx menu line? Then it would not require any of the editing of the new one to make it like the current one.

Or, even just replace the section that starts with Start Grub Global and ends with End Grub Global? I guess that people modifying their menu.lst files could make it so that the global grub section was not always on the same lines, so the .pet would actually have to open the file and locate the section. Probably too much work. Yea, much easier to just open the directory and replace the menu.lst file I guess. But you are the one freely doing and sharing your work, so we are lucky to get it any way we can

Again, thanks for the work and the input, Chris.

[CatDude]

Hello wolfwatcher51

I have looked over the new instructions and I think that they ought to do it.

Thank you for taking a look.

I think the most important thing for anybody that is going to make changes is that they backup the original, either by renaming it and leaving it where it is, or copying to another directory, or both.

I do actually say to do just that at the start, prior to Step 1.

What I think is going on with the .pet package is that it replaces or overwrites the original menu.lst file, hence the backup first.

I dont think its the .pet package itself that replaces or overwrites the original menu.lst,
but the re-installing of GRUB in Step 3.
It seems to create a new menu.lst while renaming the original to something like menu.lst.old.9642 (yours will have different numbers)

Under the corporate heading of "no job is too tough for somebody else to do", would it not be simpler to just have the .pet package modify the current menu.lst to uncomment out the timeout, comment out the color line, and insert the gfx menu line? Then it would not require any of the editing of the new one to make it like the current one.

You give me credit for abilities that i do not possess.
I honestly would not know where to start, to achieve that.

But you are the one freely doing and sharing your work, so we are lucky to get it any way we can.

All i did was gather together the necessary files and put them into .pet package
I just tried to make it easier for people if they fancied a little extra eye-candy.

Again, thanks for the work and the input, Chris.

No probs, your welcome.

CatDude
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[yangmusa]

Thank you for this .pet!

I followed the instructions in the original post, and it worked first time on Puppy 4 beta (3.98 ). Magic!

Now if only I could find a way to suppress all the ugly text spewing out when Puppy is loading... On my Mac, there's just a gray screen with an Apple logo while the machine boots, so much better looking

[HairyWill]

You give me credit for abilities that i do not possess.
I honestly would not know where to start, to achieve that..

sounds like a job for sed

[CatDude]

Hello again HairyWill

You give me credit for abilities that i do not possess.
I honestly would not know where to start, to achieve that..

sounds like a job for sed

Thanks for the link.
It looks like i have got some reading / learning to do as its all klingon to me mate.

CatDude
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[nutts4life]

I know this is a little off topic, but while we're talking about splash screens:
Is it possible to add a splash screen to the puppy startup (like slax).

Just needs to be a static image with the test flowing underneath.

How do you do that?

n4l

[CatDude]

Moved to first post of thread.

[prit1]

@CatDude: Great job !!. I can definitely use them for Macpup and for my laptops.

[CatDude]

Hello prit1

@CatDude: Great job !!. I can definitely use them for Macpup and for my laptops.

Your welcome mate, but as it says in the included README.txt,
it is used entirely at your own risk.
But saying that, i haven't had any problems so far.

CatDude
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[puppyluvr]

Hello

@Catdude
Works great!! Installed pet..ran grub.. added 1 line to grub..(I used message 6 because its the default background for my Buddapups anyhow),,VIOLA..very professional looking..yes?? Little touches like this are everything..Thank you..
...Jay...

[CatDude]

Hi puppyluvr

Hello

@Catdude
Works great!! Installed pet..ran grub.. added 1 line to grub..(I used message 6 because its the default background for my Buddapups anyhow),,VIOLA..very professional looking..yes?? Little touches like this are everything..Thank you..
...Jay...

Glad you like it mate.
I may add some more when i get round to creating them,
its just deciding what pics to use, any suggestions welcome.

CatDude
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[nic2109]

Tried this - I like it! This one will definitely stay.

IMHO the next step is a nice splash screen while Puppy is booting up with the progress messages appearing in a window. Sorry to say this, but "just like Ubuntu" applies here.

[CatDude]

Hi nic2109

Tried this - I like it! This one will definitely stay.

IMHO the next step is a nice splash screen while Puppy is booting up with the progress messages appearing in a window. Sorry to say this, but "just like Ubuntu" applies here.

Pleased that you like it.

If all you want, is to just hide the bootup text and have an image displayed instead,
then maybe [url=file:///root/dudesdata/Setting_up/Remastering-Etc/pebble/viewtopic.php.html]Pizzasgood's Pebble[/url] would fit the bill.
But i suspect you have already looked at it.

CatDude
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[Meshica7]

Wow guys!

This is all extremely beautiful and wonderful.It's also very involved for a newbie like me !

Any chance of getting this all in a dot.pup that will configure itself for us rookies?

just a thought!

Although I must say that I may give it a whirl if i get daring enough.....

Thanx!

Juan

[wolfwatcher51]

CatDude,

I just found your update to the graphical. Looks good.

Please excuse my lack of geekness here, but when I click on the links it takes me to a site that wants me to agree to an install to be able to get to the free content. Surely this is not how it is supposed to work.

Should I be able to get to the new d'loads without having somebody put something that I do not want on my computer, would I just install it over the original or would I need to uninstall the original first?

Thanks, Chris.

[CatDude]

Hello wolfwatcher51

CatDude,

I just found your update to the graphical. Looks good.

Please excuse my lack of geekness here, ... comet.com/

The following example, is for message.pup6
http://www.uploadcomet.com/download.php ... 0ecaacc51f

If i click on the link,
it opens a new browser window that displays what you see in the picture below.

It starts counting down from 30 seconds, then a Download link appears.
Click on that and you can save it to your hard drive or wherever. (without installing anything.)

Should I be able to get to the new d'loads without having somebody put something that I do not want on my computer, would I just install it over the original or would I need to uninstall the original first?

Yes, you should be able to get them, and without putting anything on your computer.
As to installing, i just installed it over the original (current) one.

CatDude
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more messages added

[wolfwatcher51]

CatDude,

Sorry for being a pita.

When I follow your first link it opens link in new tab and displays an uplink window.

When i follow your second link to message.pup6, It opens link in new tab and displays the message that is bothering me. It says that I have to install Zango to access uploadcomet.com. Like this:

"Zango is a free, premium-content access tool, paid for by advertising. Once installed and while online, using keywords sent to Zango from your Internet browsing, Zango software (with Weather) shows ads in a Zango Toolbar; a temporary Slider, on (e.g.) the bottom corner of your screen; and a separate browser window that pops up on your screen. If you search for or view Adult websites, you may receive Adult-oriented ads. Zango's Internet Explorer, Outlook/Outlook Express and Word Toolbars give access to free emoticons (and more) within those applications, when online. Zango runs continuously and upgrades automatically. Uninstallation is easy via Add/Remove Programs, but eliminates content access.

For more information: Best Practices, Privacy Policy, FAQ
View EULA | Print EULA
By clicking "Continue," I represent that I (1) am at least 18, (2) agree to the EULA and Privacy Policy terms and (3) consent to install Zango and access uploadcomet.com.
Start
Cancel

Click "Start" to install Zango
and access this content for free!"

Sorry, but this does not give me a warm and fuzzy. It says by clicking "continue" yet the only two choices I see are Start and Cancel. If this is required, I will just say thank you again for the original and do without the latest and greatest. Best, Chris.

[CatDude]

Hello wolfwatcher51

I dont know what is going on mate.

I just tried the same links on mrs CatDudes computer (albeit on the same LAN)
and had no problem, not asked to install anything.

All this hosting files business is new to me,
and i just used what free ones i could find, in order to lighten the load
on the forum servers.

As for the new package, you can get it from the first post in this thread.

If you tell me what message.pup you want, i will post it on the forum for you.

Sorry for any trouble that you are encountering, but i dont understand whats causing it.

CatDude
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P.S
If anyone could suggest an alternative place to host them, i would appreciate it.
I certainly dont want people having to install crap they dont want.