Cleaning up boot loader

Dist · 3 Aug 2009 at 01:32

Does anyone know how I got about removing entries in the boot loader that comes with Ubuntu (I think it is called GRUB)? The problem is that as well as listing the latest version of ubuntu and its recovery mode, it also lists 3 previous versions along with their recovery mode. Also, as well as my XP install, for some reason it lists NT there as well.

I am not sure if the old versions are usable, or if the NT one is usable, but none of them are needed so I would like to know how I would go about removing them from the boot loader.

BigglesPiP · 3 Aug 2009 at 02:13

Uninstall the 2 oldest kernels using the package manager.

You should keep 1 spare kernel really.

Removing the M$ entries will need to be done manually by editing /boot/grub/menu.list then running `sudo update-grub`.

Dist · 3 Aug 2009 at 03:00

I searched the package manager for linux-image, and it is showing 2.6.28-13 and 2.6.28-14 being installed, but when i search for 28-11 it is not even listed in the package manager (either as installed or not installed).

As for the extra MS OS, I ran it just incase and it turns out it was the hidden thinkvantage recovery partition on my thinkpad, so i renamed it in grub rather than remove it, as who knows when it may come in handy.

BigglesPiP · 3 Aug 2009 at 03:01

`ls -alrt /boot/*`

masterluke · 3 Aug 2009 at 13:48

There is a line in menu.lst which designates how many kernels (and recovery options) to view by default. This is the same value as in the StartUp-Manager "number of kernels to keep". The default menu.lst is:

# howmany=all

Do not remove the comment symbol - just change the value; 2 is what many users choose.

# howmany=2

As for the Nt line - you can just remove the NT line in the menu.lst manually.

Remeber to backup menu.lst first :-)

SoC · 10 Aug 2009 at 16:58

I would be leaving these entries in the boot loader just in case you ever get a corrupted kernel. Just my two cents worth.

Scythe · 10 Aug 2009 at 17:08

masterluke said:
There is a line in menu.lst which designates how many kernels (and recovery options) to view by default. This is the same value as in the StartUp-Manager "number of kernels to keep". The default menu.lst is:

# howmany=all

Do not remove the comment symbol - just change the value; 2 is what many users choose.

# howmany=2

As for the Nt line - you can just remove the NT line in the menu.lst manually.

Remeber to backup menu.lst first

Do this, its very handy as it always updates with the latest kernel and the old working one just in case.