You can use the Boot Loader to modify the *boot options*. Boot options are special parameters used to troubleshoot or work around hardware support problems. For example, our [[list of known issues with graphics cards|support/known_issues/graphics]] documents boot options for different graphics cards.

<p>It is currently impossible to change boot options permanently.</p>

<p>See [[!tails_ticket 18268]] for workarounds.</p>

This is what *SYSLINUX* looks like:

[[!img install/inc/screenshots/syslinux.png link="no" class="screenshot" alt="Black screen ('SYSLINUX') with Tails
logo and 2 options: 'Tails' and 'Tails (Troubleshooting Mode)'."]]

<p>If your Boot Loader looks different, refer to our instructions below on
modifying the boot options [[using GRUB|boot_options#grub]].</p>

To modify the boot options in *SYSLINUX*:

Press **Tab** when *SYSLINUX* appears.

A command line with a list
of boot options appears at the bottom of the screen.

[[!img syslinux-with-options.png link="no" class="screenshot" alt="SYSLINUX with
a list of options starting with '/live/vmlinuz' at the bottom"]]

Modify the boot options as needed.

To add a boot option, press <span class="keycap">Space</span> and type the boot option that you
want to add.

If you want to add more than one boot option, type them one after the
other and separate them with a <span class="keycap">Space</span>.

<a id="grub"></a>

Using *GRUB*

This is what *GRUB* looks like:

[[!img install/inc/screenshots/grub.png class="screenshot" alt="Black screen ('GNU GRUB') with Tails
logo and 3 options: 'Tails' and 'Tails (Troubleshooting Mode)' and 'Tails (External Hard Disk)'."]]

<p>If your Boot Loader looks different, refer to our instructions on
modifying the boot options [[using SYSLINUX|boot_options#syslinux]] above.</p>

To modify the boot options in *GRUB*:

A new screen appears with more options.