This LPIC-2 practice question tests your understanding of linux kernel and system startup. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
During boot, a server's video driver causes a freeze. At the GRUB2 menu, the administrator needs to interactively add the kernel parameter 'nomodeset' to the boot entry. Which key should be pressed to access the kernel command line editor?
a
Why wrong: 'a' is not a standard GRUB2 key for editing; it might be used for appending in some legacy GRUB versions but not GRUB2.
e
Pressing 'e' allows editing the selected boot entry's commands and kernel parameters.
Tab
Why wrong: Tab provides auto-completion in the GRUB command line, but does not open the editor.
c
Why wrong: 'c' enters the GRUB command line, not the editor for the current boot entry.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
e
Option B is correct because pressing 'e' at the GRUB2 menu enters the edit mode for the selected boot entry, allowing the administrator to modify kernel parameters interactively. This is the standard GRUB2 keybinding to access the kernel command line editor, where 'nomodeset' can be added to the 'linux' line to disable kernel mode-setting and prevent the video driver from freezing during boot.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
a
Why it's wrong here
'a' is not a standard GRUB2 key for editing; it might be used for appending in some legacy GRUB versions but not GRUB2.
e
Why this is correct
Pressing 'e' allows editing the selected boot entry's commands and kernel parameters.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Tab
Why it's wrong here
Tab provides auto-completion in the GRUB command line, but does not open the editor.
c
Why it's wrong here
'c' enters the GRUB command line, not the editor for the current boot entry.
Common exam traps
The trap here is that candidates confuse the GRUB2 interactive editor key 'e' with the GRUB legacy 'a' (append) or 'c' (command line), leading them to choose options that do not provide the full editing capability required to modify kernel parameters like 'nomodeset'.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
Tab provides auto-completion in the GRUB command line, but does not open the editor.
Detailed technical explanation
GRUB2's 'e' key triggers the 'gfxterm' or 'terminal_output' mode to display the boot entry configuration as editable text, where each line (e.g., 'linux', 'initrd') can be modified. The 'nomodeset' parameter is a kernel boot option that disables KMS (Kernel Mode Setting), forcing the use of BIOS/UEFI-provided video modes, which is critical when proprietary or buggy video drivers cause a freeze before Xorg or Wayland starts. In real-world scenarios, this is often used for NVIDIA or AMD GPUs with open-source drivers that fail on certain hardware, or when troubleshooting a black screen after a kernel update.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
A practitioner preparing for the LPIC-2 exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
What to study next
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FAQ
Linux Kernel and System Startup — This question tests Linux Kernel and System Startup — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: e — Option B is correct because pressing 'e' at the GRUB2 menu enters the edit mode for the selected boot entry, allowing the administrator to modify kernel parameters interactively. This is the standard GRUB2 keybinding to access the kernel command line editor, where 'nomodeset' can be added to the 'linux' line to disable kernel mode-setting and prevent the video driver from freezing during boot.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 25, 2026
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