grub2 delay after user selects kernel

[Rocko]

Binary package hint: grub2

When grub2 appears, I select the kernel to boot and press ENTER (or the right arrow key) and then absolutely nothing happens for two to three seconds - it looks like the PC has hung. Then finally things start happening.

It would be better if grub2 gave feedback to the user straight away, like grub1 used to.

ProblemType: Bug
Architecture: amd64
CheckboxSubmission: 1bd8e90541d49b96c13cbfcc9baf103b
CheckboxSystem: d00f84de8a555815fa1c4660280da308
Date: Wed Oct 14 19:32:25 2009
DistroRelease: Ubuntu 9.10
NonfreeKernelModules: nvidia
Package: grub2 1.97~beta3-1ubuntu8
ProcEnviron:
 PATH=(custom, user)
 LANG=en_AU.UTF-8
 SHELL=/bin/bash
ProcVersionSignature: Ubuntu 2.6.31-14.46-generic
SourcePackage: grub2
Uname: Linux 2.6.31-14-generic x86_64
XsessionErrors:
 (gnome-settings-daemon:3253): GLib-CRITICAL **: g_propagate_error: assertion `src != NULL' failed
 (gnome-settings-daemon:3253): GLib-CRITICAL **: g_propagate_error: assertion `src != NULL' failed
 (polkit-gnome-authentication-agent-1:3402): GLib-CRITICAL **: g_once_init_leave: assertion `initialization_value != 0' failed
 (nautilus:3385): Eel-CRITICAL **: eel_preferences_get_boolean: assertion `preferences_is_initialized ()' failed
 (gnome-panel:3381): Gdk-WARNING **: /build/buildd/gtk+2.0-2.18.2/gdk/x11/gdkdrawable-x11.c:952 drawable is not a pixmap or window

[Per Ångström (autark)]

I'm seeing this on Lucid: After I have selected the kernel to boot, it takes a whole five seconds before anything visible happens. This always makes we wonder whether the machine has frozen or whether I pressed the wrong button. Now that startup time is a top priority, this kind of delay is very bad for the startup experience.

Expected behavior: Immediately after the user has selected the kernel to boot, the boot manager should clear the screen or display some other kind of visual feedback, to indicate that the command was received.

Actual behavior: The screen remains completely unchanged for several seconds, leaving the user wondering what went wrong.

[Per Ångström (autark)]

The screen is now blanked immediately after I press Enter. I'm satisfied with that.

[sanctimon (dj.martin)]

Can you please have a look at bug #577120 and see if it is similar or the same to what is affecting you (videos attached)? If so, please state that you are affected.

[Rocko (rockorequin)]

@sanctimon: no, it was only ever a 2-3 second pause, not 40 seconds. And it doesn't happen any more for me. I do notice a longer delay when booting with a custom kernel compiled with debug turned on, but it looks like you're using the stock one so that won't be the problem.