GRUB Boot Picture

[whiteOS]

I have no way of testing on real-hardware because if it changed I wouldn't know. but it work in virtual pc 2007. I know because the dimensions of the window change. that not good for patch. I will start looking for solution and will post you back once find i solution.

[Brendan]

Hi,

I have no way of testing on real-hardware because if it changed I wouldn't know. but it work in virtual pc 2007. I know because the dimensions of the window change. that not good for patch. I will start looking for solution and will post you back once find i solution.

At this point (actually before this point to be honest), I'd start wondering if the effort is worth the hassle.

It doesn't make any sense to me for any OS to rely on a specification (the multi-boot specification) that's only implemented by one 80x86 boot manager; when there's other reliable methods of booting that are supported by almost all 80x86 boot managers.

It does make sense to provide *optional* support for the multi-boot specification, so that people who are already using GRUB can continue using GRUB to dual boot your OS and their existing OS. In this case you can't assume the VBE patch or the splash image patch or any other patch will be present, and can't assume that an end-user will be willing to mess with their otherwise stable existing OS just to add obscure patches that may or may not be supported by the provider of their existing OS.

If you want to support GRUB but also want support for different video modes and/or splash screens, then drop back to real mode and do it properly and then re-enabled protected mode. Note here that "do it properly" means getting a list of video modes from the video card (and maybe EDID information from the monitor) and then selecting the "best" video mode that your OS can support from this information. This method works regardless of what version of GRUB is booting your OS. This method also works the same for other methods of booting (e.g. the standard method that's supported by almost all 80x86 boot managers), which means you could have many different boot loaders (including a GRUB boot loader) that all start the same "second stage" that takes care of video, etc.

Now, how many people here are providing floppy images, etc of their OS that include GRUB; but aren't also providing the source code for GRUB? Here's a friendly reminder from the GPL 2.0 license:

3. You may copy and distribute the Program (or a work based on it, under Section 2) in object code or executable form under the terms of Sections 1 and 2 above provided that you also do one of the following:

• a) Accompany it with the complete corresponding machine-readable source code, which must be distributed under the terms of Sections 1 and 2 above on a medium customarily used for software interchange; or,
  b) Accompany it with a written offer, valid for at least three years, to give any third party, for a charge no more than your cost of physically performing source distribution, a complete machine-readable copy of the corresponding source code, to be distributed under the terms of Sections 1 and 2 above on a medium customarily used for software interchange; or,
  c) Accompany it with the information you received as to the offer to distribute corresponding source code. (This alternative is allowed only for noncommercial distribution and only if you received the program in object code or executable form with such an offer, in accord with Subsection b above.)

How many people in the "Announcements, Test Requests, & Job openings" have failed to comply with the terms of the GPL license? Probably everyone who uses GRUB...


Cheers,

Brendan

[whiteOS]

even if i say i find it to be quicker to pass from grub i find in turn that the gpl locks me in even if i distribuit without sense i must rely on grub to be present as loader for vesa usage. i see clearly grub is good for a hobbyist but not for those who aim to distribuit especially retail ventures. i tried to right a loader but i was confused about the second stage. if i could finish it i could do this before pmode which is probably preferable over switching back and forth between rmode and pmode, agreed?

[Brendan]

Hi,

i tried to right a loader but i was confused about the second stage. if i could finish it i could do this before pmode which is probably preferable over switching back and forth between rmode and pmode, agreed?

Agreed - it's mostly what I do...


Cheers,

Brendan