I've recently downloaded a Xandmod (5.15) kernel to try to see improvements in certain games.
When I installed it, I was told by others that I could simply pick the kernel the moment I install it on the GRUB menu, in case I ever wanted to roll back.
The problem is I realized that on my laptop with an encrypted disk, I never see the GRUB menu. I haven't since I installed Zorin.
First, I get the encrypted password login screen, and after that is succesfully entered I get sent immediately to the Zorin login screen for the OS.
Obviously, GRUB is not reachable for what ever reason.
I tried changing the boot order to show "grub" first before "ubuntu", and all I get is a Dell "pre-boot system performance check", performing a system scan. I don't get the actual grub menu displayed.
I know for a fact that it "should" work, because I also have Zorin on my main Desktop, also with an encrypted disk and the Grub does indeed show up.
Is there any way to repair this situation so that I can freely choose the kernel that I want to use?
I'm reading this but holy ■■■■ wow, encryption is such a pain in the butt that I may hold off on it... I'm seeing now that encryption may be issue.
I guess my next question would be, how do I roll back to the default kernel that Zorin uses?
Thanks
Don't be sorry - we all start from somewhere. There are other methods of removal that might be a bit more simple - I am pretty sure Aravisian has posted more succinct answers than mine.
ACTUALLY! Hold on for anyone reading this in the future... I SOLVED IT.
Turns out you need to edit your GRUB config file and check to make sure that
"GRUB_TIMEOUT_STYLE" is set to "menu", and your "GRUB_TIMEOUT" is set to what ever number you want greater than 0.
After making a back up of your Grub config file, of course.
This displayed the GRUB menu for me.
And the reason? because it is a journaling system! When I was an IT Contractor, the Director of Housing Services was known for his impertinent practice of reducing boot sequence on NT4 systems to 0 seconds - also a journaling system. Journaling systems should not have boot parameter set to less than 5 seconds.
On encryption generally, when I purchased Open SuSE 9.3 Professional, the installation guide clearly warned that encrypting your disk can lead to loss of data - that is why I NEVER encrypt any drive. I was asked at work by my line manaer many years ago that she wanted her PA to have her Data encrypted. I built the machine, at the time it was Windows XP I believe, so the OS and Apps on Primary and a logically encrypted Data partition. 3 days later the machine fell over - reinstalling the OS meant that the PC had a new HDD id and so the encrypted partition was lost forever - fortunately the PA had made a backup of all her data before the new build anyway so only one day or so's work was lost.