REFInd

rEFInd Article description::is a boot manager for EFI and UEFI platforms forked from and successor to rEFIt. It provides a graphical interface for launching EFI-based operating systems and accessing EFI-based utilities, and has the functionality to scan multiple filesystems for executable EFI binaries.

USE flags
rEFInd has optional support for reading several filesystems before loading the operating system. This allows to keep the kernels on the root partition or partition instead of on the EFI System Partition (ESP). It should be noted, however, that filesystem drivers are not needed if it's intended to copy kernels to the ESP - they are only needed if you want rEFInd to scan the relevant filesystem for EFI executables.

ESP Installation
Once the rEFInd package has been emerged, a second step is needed to install the binaries to the ESP. If an ESP does not exist, one needs to be created. See EFI System Partition. It is advisable to mount it at.

The rEFInd package comes with an install command called. Running it will
 * Automount the boot partition according to
 * Install its refind_x64.efi application and other stuff into the ESP
 * Call efibootmgr to set itself as the default boot manager.

Boot000x* can vary depending on what numbers are free.

EFI Fallback Boot Image
Most EFI and UEFI firmware support a fallback EFI image to boot from if the configured EFI file cannot be found, and some will also override the configured boot selection if the fallback boot image is found. This can be used to boot into EFI mode when doing so otherwise is difficult.

Simply copy the directory on the ESP to  and rename the refind EFI file according to your platform.

This can be used as either a permanent setup or as a temporary bootstrap to get the system to boot in EFI mode. Note that on platforms, the  component is replaced with.

Kernel management
rEFInd detects and displays an icon appropriate for the operating system kernel based on the directory it is in. To display a nice Gentoo logo, move the kernel (and initramfs if required) to.

Kernels and initramfs go into their EFI subdirectory:

Alternatively, kernels (and initramfs if in use) my be kept in. As previously stated, when used with the appropriate filesystem driver, rEFInd can scan the root partition for suitable Linux kernels to boot.

Kernel cmdline
When booting an EFI stub kernel without rEFInd, the kernel cmdline ( CONFIG_CMDLINE ) needs to be specified. However also different boot configurations can be specified to appear as different menu options within the rEFInd menu. This is done by creating the file with a menu title and the matching cmdline options on each line.

The main selection screen for rEFInd will use the first option as the default option, however alternate boot entries can be accessed by highlighting your kernel and pressing. You can also modify cmdline on-the-fly by pressing on a menu item to open it in an editor. When ready, press to boot the kernel.

External resources

 * rEFInd SourceForge repository
 * Upstream installation instructions
 * SystemRescue CD