[[!meta title="Modifying the boot options using the Boot Loader"]]

The Boot Loader is the first screen that appears when Tails starts.

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.

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.

<div class="bug">

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

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

</div>

Depending on the computer, the Boot Loader might be either *GRUB* or *SYSLINUX*.

[[!toc levels=1]]

<a id="syslinux"></a>

Using *SYSLINUX*

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)'."]]

[[!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)'."]]

<div class="note">

<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*:

<!-- Keep in sync with install/inc/steps/restart_first_time.inline.mdwn. -->

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"]]

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