How to add a new kernel to grub2

Question

How can we add a kernel to grub2? i knew the stuff we could do with the former versions, but it seems to have changed. What files should we edit?

Answer 1

To add a new kernel to grub2:

1. Move your kernel to /boot/
2. Run sudo update-grub

update-grub will scan your computer for kernels, and create a listing of available kernels at boot.

In order for you to select which kernel to boot at boot time, you may have to hold the SHIFT button down right after your BIOS does it's posting.

You can edit /etc/default/grub to change default boot options and parameters that you may need.

Answer 2

/boot/grub/grub.cfg is the file that replaced menu.lst from grub1

In Debian/Ubuntu systems this is generated by update-grub, which runs the scripts in /etc/grub.d using something similar to run-parts.

Answer 3

If the new kernel is installed with dpkg (as if it's compiled with make-kpkg), update-grub2 is enough (it removes no more existent kernels, too)

Answer 4

You don't "edit" to add kernels anymore. It scans and adds them dynamically. If you MUST add one a scan doesn't find you should look in /etc/grub.d and modify or copy and custom40(it is added last so it's a great place to test your config before you put it at the top of your list).

Answer 5

Try update-grub or update-grub2 depending on you grub version. You will have to run these as root, sudo. This worked for me when I installed a second Linux distro without reinstalling grub.