How can I use my own image for the boot splash screen?

Question

How can I create and use my own boot splash screen?

Solution 1

Here is a four-part guide about Plymouth's script plugin (written by its author, a bit dated):

1. http://brej.org/blog/?p=158
2. http://brej.org/blog/?p=174
3. http://brej.org/blog/?p=197
4. http://brej.org/blog/?p=238

Themes are located in /lib/plymouth/themes/, I suggest you start with a copy of the ubuntu-logo theme and play around with it (following the guide).

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To install your theme, run:

sudo update-alternatives --install /lib/plymouth/themes/default.plymouth default.plymouth /lib/plymouth/themes/<THEME>/<THEME>.plymouth 100

sudo update-initramfs -c -k all

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To test your theme within a desktop session, run:

sudo plymouthd ; sudo plymouth --show-splash

This should bring up two windows running your theme (to test multi-head setups and to check how the theme looks on smaller screens).

Solution 2

You can also make your GRUB screen look nice by installing Burg.

Good tutorial for installing it here.

Solution 3

Try Ubuntu Tweak - it will let you customize the boot screen to any image you want.