[Linux-users] Grub options menu on CentOS

[Klaus-Peter Schrage]

Bill Campbell wrote:
> I'm gradually learning my way around CentOS systems, but haven't figured
> out how to select different init states from grub.
>
> On the SuSE systems I've been using, one can type ``init 3'' at the grub
> prompt, but CentOS doeesn't provide that prompt.  When I've gone into the
> grub edit mode, and attempted to set it there, I haven't found the correct
> incantation to select different init states (I assume init=/bin/sh would
> work, but that's generally useful only in serious emergencies).
>
> I've compared the /boot/grub/menu.lst files on SuSE and CentOS, but don't
> see anything that looks like it would control this, and the ``info'' pages
> are, as usual, don't seem to go into any useful detail.
>
> How does one configure grub to provide the options prompt where one can
> specify boot options?
>   
I don't know if this is really what you are trying to accomplish, but an 
easy way to switch to a specific runlevel from the grub menue is offered 
by grub's 'append' mode: Highlight the kernel you want to boot to and 
type 'a'. The kernel line will be prompted, and you might add ' 3' or ' 
single' or whatever level you want to boot to, then hit 'return'.
This works on Redhat systems and should work on CentOS too.
Klaus