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I have a single OS install with Ubuntu 14.04.2 LTS on a digital kiosk, with no keyboard attached.

The kiosk reboot every night, but sometimes - rarely but it happends - the grub menu shows up, asking with no timeout to choose between :

  • Ubuntu
  • Advanced option for Ubuntu
  • Memory test (memtest86+)
  • Memory test (memtest86=, serial console 115200)

The only solution to boot the kiosk is then to attach a keyboard and press enter. There is my grub config :

GRUB_DEFAULT=0
GRUB_HIDDEN_TIMEOUT=0 
GRUB_HIDDEN_TIMEOUT_QUIET=true
GRUB_TIMEOUT=10 
GRUB_DISTRIBUTOR=`lsb_release -i -s 2> /dev/null || echo Debian`
GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX_DEFAULT="quiet splash"
GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX=""

How can I totally prevent grub menu from showing up and force Ubuntu to boot ?

What could explain that the grub menu is shown from time to time ?

Gabriel Glenn
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  • Possible duplicate of How do I hide the GRUB menu showing up in the beginning of boot? – Ravexina Apr 10 '17 at 09:55
  • I already read this question very thoroughly, and it did not help. The key question is why from time to time. I think I know about obvious grub parameter, but I need some deeper insight. I thought about a physical memory issue ? Could that force a grub menu ? – Gabriel Glenn Apr 10 '17 at 10:43
  • I'm not sure what is the cause of this issue, have you consider using something like lilo? I think it'll fit your situation, +1 for more luck. – Ravexina Apr 10 '17 at 11:56
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    Grub has a parameter that forces menu to appear on abnormal shutdown. That is so you can decide if you need to boot in recovery mode to make repairs or not. https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Grub2 See entry on GRUB_RECORDFAIL_TIMEOUT settings in grub. – oldfred Apr 10 '17 at 16:55
  • @oldfred cool option, great hint. – Ravexina Apr 10 '17 at 21:17
  • @oldfred I think you are right. The device is a unattended kiosk and it's not unusual that some guy just unplug the power socket, which then lead to a failed shutdown. You should post this as a answer. – Gabriel Glenn Apr 11 '17 at 07:35

1 Answers1

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Grub has a parameter that forces menu to appear on abnormal shutdown. That is so you can decide if you need to boot in recovery mode to make repairs or not.

https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Grub2

See section on Last Boot Failed or Boot into Recovery Mode. And See entry on GRUB_RECORDFAIL_TIMEOUT settings in grub and other info if grub entry does not work.

sudo nano /etc/default/grub

GRUB_RECORDFAIL_TIMEOUT=0

You may still need a Ubuntu live installer to run fsck or make other fixes as abnormal shutdown can cause issues that need fixes.

oldfred
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