Changing kernel bootsplash image?

Question

I want to display a custom boot splash image on my Beaglebone Black (running Ångström).

I know of three places where images can be dumped to the framebuffer:

Bootloader (uboot) - needs display initialization (https://groups.google.com/forum/#!topic/beagleboard/GwzL01ZHeC4) Looks generally hackish.
Kernel - Displays a Tux penguin (for each core)
User-space (e.g. psplash)

I want to avoid changing the bootloader if possible. I tried creating a userspace service, but systemd starts late in the boot process, leaving about 2secs of Mr. Tux and only about 1 sec showing my splash screen before I got to the login prompt.

Is there a way to replace the penguin with a custom splash screen (ideally without touching the bootloader or patching the kernel)?

related: https://unix.stackexchange.com/questions/153975/how-to-change-boot-logo-in-linux-mint — Ciro Santilli OurBigBook.com, Apr 18 '18 at 14:26

score 4 · Accepted Answer · edited Aug 25 '15 at 07:14

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You can recompile the new logo in the kernel. These links may help:

How to change the Linux penguin boot logo - ArticleWorld

How to change your Boot Logo in Linux Kernel (Suman's World)

edited Aug 25 '15 at 07:14

G-Man Says 'Reinstate Monica'

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answered Apr 02 '14 at 05:01

fede.evol

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Thanks! I was hoping there was an easier way (kernel args, etc), but it appears not. – Krumelur Apr 02 '14 at 15:24
Both links are no good. Suman's world article is no longer available and the tool recommended in the other link `fblogo`; the link they use for downloading it is no longer available as well. May need to update your answer. – Yokai Aug 22 '17 at 09:32

AgentCasey · Answer 2 · 2021-09-21T04:36:45.410

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I've used this procedure to change the boot splash logo:

pngtopnm logo.png | ppmquant 224| pnmtoplainpnm > logo_linux_clut224.ppm.

Then copy the file logo_linux_clut224.ppm to the directory of drivers/video/logo/ in the linux source directory, after backing up the original. Then compile the kernel. I have a few outdated links for clues and insight. Here are those links for reference:

http://www.articleworld.org/index.php/How_to_change_the_Linux_penguin_boot_logo

https://linuxlink.timesys.com/docs/wiki/engineering/HOWTO_Use_a_custom_boot_logo

Good luck.

edited Sep 21 '21 at 04:36

answered Sep 20 '21 at 12:29

AgentCasey

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As it’s currently written, your answer is unclear. Please [edit] to add additional details that will help others understand how this addresses the question asked. You can find more information on how to write good answers [in the help center](/help/how-to-ask). – Community Sep 20 '21 at 12:37

Changing kernel bootsplash image?

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