Where is the boot log file stored?

[Nils Kassube]

Peter Williams wrote:
> I'd like to know (a) what is the filename of the boot log & (b) where
> is it stored. The file I'm referring to will have the text of the
> messages which appear when my pc is booting-up (e.g. before the log-in
> screen). I've noticed a few strange messages -- but the text flies off
> the screen so quickly that its very difficult to read it.

With a default installation the messages are not stored anywhere. I think 
you would need to install the package "sysvinit", but that package is in 
conflict with package "upstart" which is vital for the boot process. I 
can't tell you if sysvinit would do the job of upstart without further 
modifications. Therefore I wouldn't recommend installing sysvinit. 
However if you like an adventure you could install it and enable boot 
logging in "/etc/default/bootlogd" by modifying the line which should 
then read

BOOTLOGD_ENABLE=Yes

If you enable it, the messages should be stored in "/var/log/boot".

As an alternative I would capture the messages with a digital camera.


Nils