grub-bios-setup

write GRUB boot code to MBR for BIOS systems

TLDR

Set up a device to boot with GRUB

$ grub-bios-setup /dev/sdX

Install even if problems are detected

$ grub-bios-setup -f /dev/sdX

Install GRUB in a specific directory

$ grub-bios-setup -d /boot/grub /dev/sdX

Also make the drive bootable as a floppy

$ grub-bios-setup -a /dev/sdX

SYNOPSIS

grub-bios-setup [options] device

grub-bios-setup is a low-level tool that writes the GRUB boot code to a disk's Master Boot Record (MBR) or BIOS Boot Partition for BIOS/legacy boot systems.In most cases, you should use grub-install instead, which handles both copying GRUB files and running grub-bios-setup automatically. This tool is typically used for advanced scenarios like installing GRUB to a different device than where the GRUB files are located.

PARAMETERS

-b, --boot-image FILE

Use FILE as the boot image instead of boot.img

-c, --core-image FILE

Use FILE as the core image instead of core.img

-d, --directory DIR

Use GRUB files from DIR instead of default

-m, --device-map FILE

Use device map from FILE

-f, --force

Install even if problems are detected

-a, --allow-floppy

Make the drive also bootable as a floppy (may break on some BIOSes)

-s, --skip-fs-probe

Skip filesystem probing

--no-rs-codes

Do not add Reed-Solomon error-correcting codes (x86 BIOS targets only)

-v, --verbose

Enable verbose output

INSTALL

sudo apt install grub-pc

sudo pacman -S grub

sudo apk add grub

CAVEATS

For BIOS systems only; UEFI systems use different methods. Incorrect use can make a system unbootable. Requires GRUB files to already be in place (use grub-install for normal installations).

HISTORY

grub-bios-setup is part of GRUB 2, providing the low-level MBR installation that was previously handled by a single grub-install command. The separation allows more flexibility in complex installation scenarios.

RESOURCES

Homepage · Source code · Documentation