grub error

[NFT5]

I run an AMD system and Virtualbox so need IOMMU enabled. However, this causes IO Page Faults which I fix by editing/etc/default/grub by changing GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX="" to GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX="iommu=soft".

So, from a different installation:

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root@BOSSDESK:/home/chris# mount /dev/sda8 /mnt
root@BOSSDESK:/home/chris# mount --bind /dev/ /mnt/dev
root@BOSSDESK:/home/chris# mount --bind /proc /mnt/proc
root@BOSSDESK:/home/chris# mount --bind /sys /mnt/sys
root@BOSSDESK:/home/chris# chroot /mnt
root@BOSSDESK:/# nano /etc/default/grub
root@BOSSDESK:/# update-grub
Generating grub configuration file ...
using custom appearance settings
Found background image: /usr/share/backgrounds/MXLinux/grub/linen-gradientblu-grub.png
Found linux image: /boot/vmlinuz-4.19.0-1-amd64
Found initrd image: /boot/initrd.img-4.19.0-1-amd64
Found MX 18.1 Continuum (18.1) on /dev/sda2
Found Debian GNU/Linux 9 (stretch) on /dev/sda4
Found Debian GNU/Linux 8 (jessie) on /dev/sda6
Found linux image: /boot/vmlinuz-4.19.0-1-amd64
Found initrd image: /boot/initrd.img-4.19.0-1-amd64
Found memtest86+ image: /boot/memtest86+.bin
Found mtest-64.efi image: /boot/uefi-mt/mtest-64.efi
Found MX 18.1 Continuum (18.1) on /dev/sda2
Found Debian GNU/Linux 9 (stretch) on /dev/sda4
Found Debian GNU/Linux 8 (jessie) on /dev/sda6
Adding boot menu entry for EFI firmware configuration
Found memtest86+ image: /boot/memtest86+.bin
Found mtest-64.efi image: /boot/uefi-mt/mtest-64.efi
error: syntax error.
error: Incorrect command.
error: syntax error.
Syntax error at line 217
Syntax errors are detected in generated GRUB config file.
Ensure that there are no errors in /etc/default/grub
and /etc/grub.d/* files or please file a bug report with
/boot/grub/grub.cfg.new file attached.
done
root@BOSSDESK:/# 

This has always worked perfectly but, on this latest installation of MX18.1 update-grub fails with the line 217 error detailed above.

inxi excerpt:

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System:
  Host: BOSSDESK Kernel: 4.19.0-1-amd64 x86_64 bits: 64 compiler: gcc 
  v: 6.3.0 Desktop: Xfce 4.12.3 Distro: MX-18.1_x64 Continuum Feb 9  2019 
  base: Debian GNU/Linux 9 (stretch) 
Machine:
  Type: Desktop System: Gigabyte product: N/A v: N/A serial: <filter> 
  Mobo: Gigabyte model: 970A-D3P v: x.x serial: <filter> 
  UEFI: American Megatrends v: FB date: 10/28/2014 
CPU:
  Topology: 6-Core model: AMD FX-6300 bits: 64 type: MCP arch: Bulldozer 
  L2 cache: 2048 KiB 
  flags: lm nx pae sse sse2 sse3 sse4_1 sse4_2 sse4a ssse3 svm 
  bogomips: 42192 
  Speed: 2824 MHz min/max: 1400/3500 MHz Core speeds (MHz): 1: 1406 2: 1402 
  3: 1405 4: 1406 5: 1405 6: 1397 
Graphics:
  Device-1: NVIDIA GT218 [GeForce 210] vendor: Gigabyte driver: nouveau 
  v: kernel bus ID: 01:00.0 
  Display: x11 server: X.Org 1.19.2 driver: nouveau 
  unloaded: fbdev,modesetting,vesa 
  resolution: 1920x1080~60Hz, 1920x1080~60Hz 
  OpenGL: renderer: NVA8 v: 3.3 Mesa 18.2.6 direct render: Yes 
Audio:
  Device-1: AMD SBx00 Azalia vendor: Gigabyte driver: snd_hda_intel 
  v: kernel bus ID: 00:14.2 
  Device-2: NVIDIA High Definition Audio vendor: Gigabyte 
  driver: snd_hda_intel v: kernel bus ID: 01:00.1 
  Sound Server: ALSA v: k4.19.0-1-amd64 
Network:
  Device-1: Realtek RTL8111/8168/8411 PCI Express Gigabit Ethernet 
  vendor: Gigabyte driver: r8169 v: kernel port: d000 bus ID: 03:00.0 
  IF: eth0 state: up speed: 1000 Mbps duplex: full mac: <filter> 
Drives:
  Local Storage: total: 1.58 TiB used: 630.66 GiB (38.9%) 
  ID-1: /dev/sda vendor: OCZ model: TRION100 size: 223.57 GiB 
  ID-2: /dev/sdb vendor: Western Digital model: WD5000AAKX-001CA0 
  size: 465.76 GiB 
  ID-3: /dev/sdc vendor: Toshiba model: DT01ACA050 size: 465.76 GiB 
  ID-4: /dev/sdd vendor: Western Digital model: WD5000AAKX-001CA0 
  size: 465.76 GiB 
Partition:
  ID-1: / size: 11.75 GiB used: 6.67 GiB (56.8%) fs: ext4 dev: /dev/sda8 
  ID-2: /home size: 39.12 GiB used: 701.0 MiB (1.7%) fs: ext4 dev: /dev/sda9 
  ID-3: swap-1 size: 15.07 GiB used: 0 KiB (0.0%) fs: swap dev: /dev/sda10 
Sensors:
  System Temperatures: cpu: 26.1 C mobo: N/A gpu: nouveau temp: 69 C 
  Fan Speeds (RPM): N/A 
Repos:
  Active apt repos in: /etc/apt/sources.list.d/antix.list 
  1: deb http://mirror.datamossa.io/mxlinux/antix/stretch/ stretch main
  Active apt repos in: /etc/apt/sources.list.d/debian-stable-updates.list 
  1: deb http://debian.mirror.serversaustralia.com.au/debian/ stretch-updates main contrib non-free
  Active apt repos in: /etc/apt/sources.list.d/debian.list 
  1: deb http://debian.mirror.serversaustralia.com.au/debian/ stretch main contrib non-free
  2: deb http://security.debian.org/ stretch/updates main contrib non-free
  Active apt repos in: /etc/apt/sources.list.d/mx.list 
  1: deb http://mirror.datamossa.io/mxlinux/mx/repo/ stretch main non-free
  No active apt repos in: /etc/apt/sources.list.d/various.list 
Info:
  Processes: 223 Uptime: 19m Memory: 7.76 GiB used: 1.18 GiB (15.2%) 
  Init: SysVinit runlevel: 5 Compilers: gcc: 6.3.0 Shell: bash v: 4.4.12 
  inxi: 3.0.29 

/boot/grub/grub.cfg.new

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#
# DO NOT EDIT THIS FILE
#
# It is automatically generated by grub-mkconfig using templates
# from /etc/grub.d and settings from /etc/default/grub
#

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/00_header ###
if [ -s $prefix/grubenv ]; then
  set have_grubenv=true
  load_env
fi
if [ "${next_entry}" ] ; then
   set default="${next_entry}"
   set next_entry=
   save_env next_entry
   set boot_once=true
else
   set default="0"
fi

if [ x"${feature_menuentry_id}" = xy ]; then
  menuentry_id_option="--id"
else
  menuentry_id_option=""
fi

export menuentry_id_option

if [ "${prev_saved_entry}" ]; then
  set saved_entry="${prev_saved_entry}"
  save_env saved_entry
  set prev_saved_entry=
  save_env prev_saved_entry
  set boot_once=true
fi

function savedefault {
  if [ -z "${boot_once}" ]; then
    saved_entry="${chosen}"
    save_env saved_entry
  fi
}
function load_video {
  if [ x$feature_all_video_module = xy ]; then
    insmod all_video
  else
    insmod efi_gop
    insmod efi_uga
    insmod ieee1275_fb
    insmod vbe
    insmod vga
    insmod video_bochs
    insmod video_cirrus
  fi
}

if [ x$feature_default_font_path = xy ] ; then
   font=unicode
else
insmod part_gpt
insmod ext2
set root='hd0,gpt8'
if [ x$feature_platform_search_hint = xy ]; then
  search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root --hint-bios=hd0,gpt8 --hint-efi=hd0,gpt8 --hint-baremetal=ahci0,gpt8  458848c8-3b96-4ea9-bfd7-2b1b9e3ef269
else
  search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 458848c8-3b96-4ea9-bfd7-2b1b9e3ef269
fi
    font="/usr/share/grub/unicode.pf2"
fi

if loadfont $font ; then
  set gfxmode=auto
  load_video
  insmod gfxterm
  set locale_dir=$prefix/locale
  set lang=en_AU
  insmod gettext
fi
terminal_output gfxterm
if [ "${recordfail}" = 1 ] ; then
  set timeout=30
else
  if [ x$feature_timeout_style = xy ] ; then
    set timeout_style=menu
    set timeout=5
  # Fallback normal timeout code in case the timeout_style feature is
  # unavailable.
  else
    set timeout=5
  fi
fi
### END /etc/grub.d/00_header ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/05_debian_theme ###
insmod part_gpt
insmod ext2
set root='hd0,gpt8'
if [ x$feature_platform_search_hint = xy ]; then
  search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root --hint-bios=hd0,gpt8 --hint-efi=hd0,gpt8 --hint-baremetal=ahci0,gpt8  458848c8-3b96-4ea9-bfd7-2b1b9e3ef269
else
  search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 458848c8-3b96-4ea9-bfd7-2b1b9e3ef269
fi
insmod png
if background_image /usr/share/backgrounds/MXLinux/grub/linen-gradientblu-grub.png; then
  set color_normal=light-gray/black
  set color_highlight=magenta/black
else
  set menu_color_normal=cyan/blue
  set menu_color_highlight=white/blue
fi
### END /etc/grub.d/05_debian_theme ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/10_linux_proxy ###

function gfxmode {
	set gfxpayload="${1}"
}
set linux_gfx_mode=
export linux_gfx_mode



menuentry "MX 18.1 Continuum" --class mx --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os $menuentry_id_option 'gnulinux-simple-458848c8-3b96-4ea9-bfd7-2b1b9e3ef269' {
	load_video
	insmod gzio
	if [ x$grub_platform = xxen ]; then insmod xzio; insmod lzopio; fi
	insmod part_gpt
	insmod ext2
	set root='hd0,gpt8'
	if [ x$feature_platform_search_hint = xy ]; then
	  search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root --hint-bios=hd0,gpt8 --hint-efi=hd0,gpt8 --hint-baremetal=ahci0,gpt8  458848c8-3b96-4ea9-bfd7-2b1b9e3ef269
	else
	  search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 458848c8-3b96-4ea9-bfd7-2b1b9e3ef269
	fi
	echo	'Loading Linux 4.19.0-1-amd64 ...'
	linux	/boot/vmlinuz-4.19.0-1-amd64 root=UUID=458848c8-3b96-4ea9-bfd7-2b1b9e3ef269 ro iommu=soft quiet splash
	echo	'Loading initial ramdisk ...'
	initrd	/boot/initrd.img-4.19.0-1-amd64
}
### END /etc/grub.d/10_linux_proxy ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/30_os-prober_proxy ###
menuentry "Debian GNU/Linux 8 (jessie) (on /dev/sda6)" --class debian --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os $menuentry_id_option 'osprober-gnulinux-simple-13b081a7-653e-48e1-b0db-1175f2a6cd66' {
	insmod part_gpt
	insmod ext2
	set root='hd0,gpt6'
	if [ x$feature_platform_search_hint = xy ]; then
	  search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root --hint-bios=hd0,gpt6 --hint-efi=hd0,gpt6 --hint-baremetal=ahci0,gpt6  13b081a7-653e-48e1-b0db-1175f2a6cd66
	else
	  search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 13b081a7-653e-48e1-b0db-1175f2a6cd66
	fi
	linux /boot/vmlinuz-4.9.0-0.bpo.6-amd64 root=UUID=13b081a7-653e-48e1-b0db-1175f2a6cd66 ro iommu=soft quiet
	initrd /boot/initrd.img-4.9.0-0.bpo.6-amd64
}
menuentry "Debian 9 (XFCE) (on /dev/sda4)" --class debian --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os $menuentry_id_option 'osprober-gnulinux-simple-fefe6dde-4b05-4d97-a384-91a527929d57' {
	insmod part_gpt
	insmod ext2
	set root='hd0,gpt4'
	if [ x$feature_platform_search_hint = xy ]; then
	  search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root --hint-bios=hd0,gpt4 --hint-efi=hd0,gpt4 --hint-baremetal=ahci0,gpt4  fefe6dde-4b05-4d97-a384-91a527929d57
	else
	  search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root fefe6dde-4b05-4d97-a384-91a527929d57
	fi
	linux /boot/vmlinuz-4.9.0-8-amd64 root=UUID=fefe6dde-4b05-4d97-a384-91a527929d57 ro iommu=soft quiet
	initrd /boot/initrd.img-4.9.0-8-amd64
}
### END /etc/grub.d/30_os-prober_proxy ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/31_linux_proxy ###
submenu "Advanced options for MX 18.1 Continuum"{
menuentry "MX 18.1 Continuum, with Linux 4.19.0-1-amd64" --class mx --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os $menuentry_id_option 'gnulinux-4.19.0-1-amd64-advanced-458848c8-3b96-4ea9-bfd7-2b1b9e3ef269' {
		load_video
		insmod gzio
		if [ x$grub_platform = xxen ]; then insmod xzio; insmod lzopio; fi
		insmod part_gpt
		insmod ext2
		set root='hd0,gpt8'
		if [ x$feature_platform_search_hint = xy ]; then
		  search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root --hint-bios=hd0,gpt8 --hint-efi=hd0,gpt8 --hint-baremetal=ahci0,gpt8  458848c8-3b96-4ea9-bfd7-2b1b9e3ef269
		else
		  search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 458848c8-3b96-4ea9-bfd7-2b1b9e3ef269
		fi
		echo	'Loading Linux 4.19.0-1-amd64 ...'
		linux	/boot/vmlinuz-4.19.0-1-amd64 root=UUID=458848c8-3b96-4ea9-bfd7-2b1b9e3ef269 ro iommu=soft quiet splash
		echo	'Loading initial ramdisk ...'
		initrd	/boot/initrd.img-4.19.0-1-amd64
}
menuentry "MX 18.1 Continuum, with Linux 4.19.0-1-amd64 (systemd)" --class mx --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os $menuentry_id_option 'gnulinux-4.19.0-1-amd64-init-systemd-458848c8-3b96-4ea9-bfd7-2b1b9e3ef269' {
		load_video
		insmod gzio
		if [ x$grub_platform = xxen ]; then insmod xzio; insmod lzopio; fi
		insmod part_gpt
		insmod ext2
		set root='hd0,gpt8'
		if [ x$feature_platform_search_hint = xy ]; then
		  search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root --hint-bios=hd0,gpt8 --hint-efi=hd0,gpt8 --hint-baremetal=ahci0,gpt8  458848c8-3b96-4ea9-bfd7-2b1b9e3ef269
		else
		  search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 458848c8-3b96-4ea9-bfd7-2b1b9e3ef269
		fi
		echo	'Loading Linux 4.19.0-1-amd64 ...'
		linux	/boot/vmlinuz-4.19.0-1-amd64 root=UUID=458848c8-3b96-4ea9-bfd7-2b1b9e3ef269 ro iommu=soft quiet splash init=/lib/systemd/systemd
		echo	'Loading initial ramdisk ...'
		initrd	/boot/initrd.img-4.19.0-1-amd64
}
}
### END /etc/grub.d/31_linux_proxy ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/34_linux_xen ###

### END /etc/grub.d/34_linux_xen ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/35_memtest86+_proxy ###

if [ "${grub_platform}" == "pc" ]; then

fi
if [ "${grub_platform}" == "efi" ]; then
   if [ "${grub_cpu}" == "x86_64" ]; then
  

  fi
fi
### END /etc/grub.d/35_memtest86+_proxy ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/36_os-prober_proxy ###
menuentry "MX 18.1 Continuum (18.1) (on /dev/sda2)" --class mx --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os $menuentry_id_option 'osprober-gnulinux-simple-23fdebd4-33b3-4c24-8f91-c77c1def1ccd' {
	insmod part_gpt
	insmod ext2
	set root='hd0,gpt2'
	if [ x$feature_platform_search_hint = xy ]; then
	  search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root --hint-bios=hd0,gpt2 --hint-efi=hd0,gpt2 --hint-baremetal=ahci0,gpt2  23fdebd4-33b3-4c24-8f91-c77c1def1ccd
	else
	  search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 23fdebd4-33b3-4c24-8f91-c77c1def1ccd
	fi
	linux /boot/vmlinuz-4.19.0-1-amd64 root=UUID=23fdebd4-33b3-4c24-8f91-c77c1def1ccd ro quiet splash
	initrd /boot/initrd.img-4.19.0-1-amd64
}
submenu "Advanced options for MX 18.1 Continuum (18.1) (on /dev/sda2)"{
menuentry "MX 18.1 Continuum (on /dev/sda2)" --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os $menuentry_id_option 'osprober-gnulinux-/boot/vmlinuz-4.19.0-1-amd64--23fdebd4-33b3-4c24-8f91-c77c1def1ccd' {
		insmod part_gpt
		insmod ext2
		set root='hd0,gpt2'
		if [ x$feature_platform_search_hint = xy ]; then
		  search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root --hint-bios=hd0,gpt2 --hint-efi=hd0,gpt2 --hint-baremetal=ahci0,gpt2  23fdebd4-33b3-4c24-8f91-c77c1def1ccd
		else
		  search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 23fdebd4-33b3-4c24-8f91-c77c1def1ccd
		fi
		linux /boot/vmlinuz-4.19.0-1-amd64 root=UUID=23fdebd4-33b3-4c24-8f91-c77c1def1ccd ro quiet splash
		initrd /boot/initrd.img-4.19.0-1-amd64
}
menuentry "MX 18.1 Continuum, with Linux 4.19.0-1-amd64 (on /dev/sda2)" --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os $menuentry_id_option 'osprober-gnulinux-/boot/vmlinuz-4.19.0-1-amd64--23fdebd4-33b3-4c24-8f91-c77c1def1ccd' {
		insmod part_gpt
		insmod ext2
		set root='hd0,gpt2'
		if [ x$feature_platform_search_hint = xy ]; then
		  search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root --hint-bios=hd0,gpt2 --hint-efi=hd0,gpt2 --hint-baremetal=ahci0,gpt2  23fdebd4-33b3-4c24-8f91-c77c1def1ccd
		else
		  search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 23fdebd4-33b3-4c24-8f91-c77c1def1ccd
		fi
		linux /boot/vmlinuz-4.19.0-1-amd64 root=UUID=23fdebd4-33b3-4c24-8f91-c77c1def1ccd ro quiet splash
		initrd /boot/initrd.img-4.19.0-1-amd64
}
menuentry "MX 18.1 Continuum, with Linux 4.19.0-1-amd64 (systemd) (on /dev/sda2)" --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os $menuentry_id_option 'osprober-gnulinux-/boot/vmlinuz-4.19.0-1-amd64--23fdebd4-33b3-4c24-8f91-c77c1def1ccd' {
		insmod part_gpt
		insmod ext2
		set root='hd0,gpt2'
		if [ x$feature_platform_search_hint = xy ]; then
		  search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root --hint-bios=hd0,gpt2 --hint-efi=hd0,gpt2 --hint-baremetal=ahci0,gpt2  23fdebd4-33b3-4c24-8f91-c77c1def1ccd
		else
		  search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 23fdebd4-33b3-4c24-8f91-c77c1def1ccd
		fi
		linux /boot/vmlinuz-4.19.0-1-amd64 root=UUID=23fdebd4-33b3-4c24-8f91-c77c1def1ccd ro quiet splash init=/lib/systemd/systemd
		initrd /boot/initrd.img-4.19.0-1-amd64
}
}










submenu "Advanced options for Debian GNU/Linux 8 (jessie) (on /dev/sda6)"{
menuentry "Debian GNU/Linux (8.9) (on /dev/sda6)" --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os $menuentry_id_option 'osprober-gnulinux-/boot/vmlinuz-4.9.0-0.bpo.6-amd64--13b081a7-653e-48e1-b0db-1175f2a6cd66' {
		insmod part_gpt
		insmod ext2
		set root='hd0,gpt6'
		if [ x$feature_platform_search_hint = xy ]; then
		  search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root --hint-bios=hd0,gpt6 --hint-efi=hd0,gpt6 --hint-baremetal=ahci0,gpt6  13b081a7-653e-48e1-b0db-1175f2a6cd66
		else
		  search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 13b081a7-653e-48e1-b0db-1175f2a6cd66
		fi
		linux /boot/vmlinuz-4.9.0-0.bpo.6-amd64 root=UUID=13b081a7-653e-48e1-b0db-1175f2a6cd66 ro iommu=soft quiet
		initrd /boot/initrd.img-4.9.0-0.bpo.6-amd64
}
menuentry "Debian GNU/Linux, with Linux 4.9.0-0.bpo.6-amd64 (on /dev/sda6)" --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os $menuentry_id_option 'osprober-gnulinux-/boot/vmlinuz-4.9.0-0.bpo.6-amd64--13b081a7-653e-48e1-b0db-1175f2a6cd66' {
		insmod part_gpt
		insmod ext2
		set root='hd0,gpt6'
		if [ x$feature_platform_search_hint = xy ]; then
		  search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root --hint-bios=hd0,gpt6 --hint-efi=hd0,gpt6 --hint-baremetal=ahci0,gpt6  13b081a7-653e-48e1-b0db-1175f2a6cd66
		else
		  search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 13b081a7-653e-48e1-b0db-1175f2a6cd66
		fi
		linux /boot/vmlinuz-4.9.0-0.bpo.6-amd64 root=UUID=13b081a7-653e-48e1-b0db-1175f2a6cd66 ro iommu=soft quiet
		initrd /boot/initrd.img-4.9.0-0.bpo.6-amd64
}
menuentry "Debian GNU/Linux, with Linux 4.9.0-0.bpo.6-amd64 (recovery mode) (on /dev/sda6)" --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os $menuentry_id_option 'osprober-gnulinux-/boot/vmlinuz-4.9.0-0.bpo.6-amd64-root=UUID=13b081a7-653e-48e1-b0db-1175f2a6cd66 ro single iommu=soft-13b081a7-653e-48e1-b0db-1175f2a6cd66' {
		insmod part_gpt
		insmod ext2
		set root='hd0,gpt6'
		if [ x$feature_platform_search_hint = xy ]; then
		  search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root --hint-bios=hd0,gpt6 --hint-efi=hd0,gpt6 --hint-baremetal=ahci0,gpt6  13b081a7-653e-48e1-b0db-1175f2a6cd66
		else
		  search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 13b081a7-653e-48e1-b0db-1175f2a6cd66
		fi
		linux /boot/vmlinuz-4.9.0-0.bpo.6-amd64 root=UUID=13b081a7-653e-48e1-b0db-1175f2a6cd66 ro single iommu=soft
		initrd /boot/initrd.img-4.9.0-0.bpo.6-amd64
}
menuentry "Debian GNU/Linux, with Linux 3.16.0-7-amd64 (on /dev/sda6)" --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os $menuentry_id_option 'osprober-gnulinux-/boot/vmlinuz-3.16.0-7-amd64--13b081a7-653e-48e1-b0db-1175f2a6cd66' {
		insmod part_gpt
		insmod ext2
		set root='hd0,gpt6'
		if [ x$feature_platform_search_hint = xy ]; then
		  search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root --hint-bios=hd0,gpt6 --hint-efi=hd0,gpt6 --hint-baremetal=ahci0,gpt6  13b081a7-653e-48e1-b0db-1175f2a6cd66
		else
		  search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 13b081a7-653e-48e1-b0db-1175f2a6cd66
		fi
		linux /boot/vmlinuz-3.16.0-7-amd64 root=UUID=13b081a7-653e-48e1-b0db-1175f2a6cd66 ro iommu=soft quiet
		initrd /boot/initrd.img-3.16.0-7-amd64
}
menuentry "Debian GNU/Linux, with Linux 3.16.0-7-amd64 (recovery mode) (on /dev/sda6)" --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os $menuentry_id_option 'osprober-gnulinux-/boot/vmlinuz-3.16.0-7-amd64-root=UUID=13b081a7-653e-48e1-b0db-1175f2a6cd66 ro single iommu=soft-13b081a7-653e-48e1-b0db-1175f2a6cd66' {
		insmod part_gpt
		insmod ext2
		set root='hd0,gpt6'
		if [ x$feature_platform_search_hint = xy ]; then
		  search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root --hint-bios=hd0,gpt6 --hint-efi=hd0,gpt6 --hint-baremetal=ahci0,gpt6  13b081a7-653e-48e1-b0db-1175f2a6cd66
		else
		  search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 13b081a7-653e-48e1-b0db-1175f2a6cd66
		fi
		linux /boot/vmlinuz-3.16.0-7-amd64 root=UUID=13b081a7-653e-48e1-b0db-1175f2a6cd66 ro single iommu=soft
		initrd /boot/initrd.img-3.16.0-7-amd64
}
menuentry "Debian GNU/Linux, with Linux 3.16.0-6-amd64 (on /dev/sda6)" --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os $menuentry_id_option 'osprober-gnulinux-/boot/vmlinuz-3.16.0-6-amd64--13b081a7-653e-48e1-b0db-1175f2a6cd66' {
		insmod part_gpt
		insmod ext2
		set root='hd0,gpt6'
		if [ x$feature_platform_search_hint = xy ]; then
		  search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root --hint-bios=hd0,gpt6 --hint-efi=hd0,gpt6 --hint-baremetal=ahci0,gpt6  13b081a7-653e-48e1-b0db-1175f2a6cd66
		else
		  search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 13b081a7-653e-48e1-b0db-1175f2a6cd66
		fi
		linux /boot/vmlinuz-3.16.0-6-amd64 root=UUID=13b081a7-653e-48e1-b0db-1175f2a6cd66 ro iommu=soft quiet
		initrd /boot/initrd.img-3.16.0-6-amd64
}
menuentry "Debian GNU/Linux, with Linux 3.16.0-6-amd64 (recovery mode) (on /dev/sda6)" --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os $menuentry_id_option 'osprober-gnulinux-/boot/vmlinuz-3.16.0-6-amd64-root=UUID=13b081a7-653e-48e1-b0db-1175f2a6cd66 ro single iommu=soft-13b081a7-653e-48e1-b0db-1175f2a6cd66' {
		insmod part_gpt
		insmod ext2
		set root='hd0,gpt6'
		if [ x$feature_platform_search_hint = xy ]; then
		  search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root --hint-bios=hd0,gpt6 --hint-efi=hd0,gpt6 --hint-baremetal=ahci0,gpt6  13b081a7-653e-48e1-b0db-1175f2a6cd66
		else
		  search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 13b081a7-653e-48e1-b0db-1175f2a6cd66
		fi
		linux /boot/vmlinuz-3.16.0-6-amd64 root=UUID=13b081a7-653e-48e1-b0db-1175f2a6cd66 ro single iommu=soft
		initrd /boot/initrd.img-3.16.0-6-amd64
}
menuentry "Debian GNU/Linux, with Linux 3.16.0-5-amd64 (on /dev/sda6)" --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os $menuentry_id_option 'osprober-gnulinux-/boot/vmlinuz-3.16.0-5-amd64--13b081a7-653e-48e1-b0db-1175f2a6cd66' {
		insmod part_gpt
		insmod ext2
		set root='hd0,gpt6'
		if [ x$feature_platform_search_hint = xy ]; then
		  search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root --hint-bios=hd0,gpt6 --hint-efi=hd0,gpt6 --hint-baremetal=ahci0,gpt6  13b081a7-653e-48e1-b0db-1175f2a6cd66
		else
		  search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 13b081a7-653e-48e1-b0db-1175f2a6cd66
		fi
		linux /boot/vmlinuz-3.16.0-5-amd64 root=UUID=13b081a7-653e-48e1-b0db-1175f2a6cd66 ro iommu=soft quiet
		initrd /boot/initrd.img-3.16.0-5-amd64
}
menuentry "Debian GNU/Linux, with Linux 3.16.0-5-amd64 (recovery mode) (on /dev/sda6)" --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os $menuentry_id_option 'osprober-gnulinux-/boot/vmlinuz-3.16.0-5-amd64-root=UUID=13b081a7-653e-48e1-b0db-1175f2a6cd66 ro single iommu=soft-13b081a7-653e-48e1-b0db-1175f2a6cd66' {
		insmod part_gpt
		insmod ext2
		set root='hd0,gpt6'
		if [ x$feature_platform_search_hint = xy ]; then
		  search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root --hint-bios=hd0,gpt6 --hint-efi=hd0,gpt6 --hint-baremetal=ahci0,gpt6  13b081a7-653e-48e1-b0db-1175f2a6cd66
		else
		  search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 13b081a7-653e-48e1-b0db-1175f2a6cd66
		fi
		linux /boot/vmlinuz-3.16.0-5-amd64 root=UUID=13b081a7-653e-48e1-b0db-1175f2a6cd66 ro single iommu=soft
		initrd /boot/initrd.img-3.16.0-5-amd64
}
menuentry "Debian GNU/Linux, with Linux 3.16.0-4-amd64 (on /dev/sda6)" --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os $menuentry_id_option 'osprober-gnulinux-/boot/vmlinuz-3.16.0-4-amd64--13b081a7-653e-48e1-b0db-1175f2a6cd66' {
		insmod part_gpt
		insmod ext2
		set root='hd0,gpt6'
		if [ x$feature_platform_search_hint = xy ]; then
		  search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root --hint-bios=hd0,gpt6 --hint-efi=hd0,gpt6 --hint-baremetal=ahci0,gpt6  13b081a7-653e-48e1-b0db-1175f2a6cd66
		else
		  search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 13b081a7-653e-48e1-b0db-1175f2a6cd66
		fi
		linux /boot/vmlinuz-3.16.0-4-amd64 root=UUID=13b081a7-653e-48e1-b0db-1175f2a6cd66 ro iommu=soft quiet
		initrd /boot/initrd.img-3.16.0-4-amd64
}
menuentry "Debian GNU/Linux, with Linux 3.16.0-4-amd64 (recovery mode) (on /dev/sda6)" --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os $menuentry_id_option 'osprober-gnulinux-/boot/vmlinuz-3.16.0-4-amd64-root=UUID=13b081a7-653e-48e1-b0db-1175f2a6cd66 ro single iommu=soft-13b081a7-653e-48e1-b0db-1175f2a6cd66' {
		insmod part_gpt
		insmod ext2
		set root='hd0,gpt6'
		if [ x$feature_platform_search_hint = xy ]; then
		  search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root --hint-bios=hd0,gpt6 --hint-efi=hd0,gpt6 --hint-baremetal=ahci0,gpt6  13b081a7-653e-48e1-b0db-1175f2a6cd66
		else
		  search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 13b081a7-653e-48e1-b0db-1175f2a6cd66
		fi
		linux /boot/vmlinuz-3.16.0-4-amd64 root=UUID=13b081a7-653e-48e1-b0db-1175f2a6cd66 ro single iommu=soft
		initrd /boot/initrd.img-3.16.0-4-amd64
}
}
submenu "Advanced options for Debian GNU/Linux 9 (stretch) (on /dev/sda4)"{
menuentry "Debian9 XFCE 9on (/dev/sda4) (on /dev/sda4)" --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os $menuentry_id_option 'osprober-gnulinux-/boot/vmlinuz-4.9.0-8-amd64--fefe6dde-4b05-4d97-a384-91a527929d57' {
		insmod part_gpt
		insmod ext2
		set root='hd0,gpt4'
		if [ x$feature_platform_search_hint = xy ]; then
		  search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root --hint-bios=hd0,gpt4 --hint-efi=hd0,gpt4 --hint-baremetal=ahci0,gpt4  fefe6dde-4b05-4d97-a384-91a527929d57
		else
		  search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root fefe6dde-4b05-4d97-a384-91a527929d57
		fi
		linux /boot/vmlinuz-4.9.0-8-amd64 root=UUID=fefe6dde-4b05-4d97-a384-91a527929d57 ro iommu=soft quiet
		initrd /boot/initrd.img-4.9.0-8-amd64
}
menuentry "Debian GNU/Linux, with Linux 4.9.0-8-amd64 (on /dev/sda4)" --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os $menuentry_id_option 'osprober-gnulinux-/boot/vmlinuz-4.9.0-8-amd64--fefe6dde-4b05-4d97-a384-91a527929d57' {
		insmod part_gpt
		insmod ext2
		set root='hd0,gpt4'
		if [ x$feature_platform_search_hint = xy ]; then
		  search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root --hint-bios=hd0,gpt4 --hint-efi=hd0,gpt4 --hint-baremetal=ahci0,gpt4  fefe6dde-4b05-4d97-a384-91a527929d57
		else
		  search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root fefe6dde-4b05-4d97-a384-91a527929d57
		fi
		linux /boot/vmlinuz-4.9.0-8-amd64 root=UUID=fefe6dde-4b05-4d97-a384-91a527929d57 ro iommu=soft quiet
		initrd /boot/initrd.img-4.9.0-8-amd64
}
menuentry "Debian GNU/Linux, with Linux 4.9.0-8-amd64 (recovery mode) (on /dev/sda4)" --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os $menuentry_id_option 'osprober-gnulinux-/boot/vmlinuz-4.9.0-8-amd64-root=UUID=fefe6dde-4b05-4d97-a384-91a527929d57 ro single iommu=soft-fefe6dde-4b05-4d97-a384-91a527929d57' {
		insmod part_gpt
		insmod ext2
		set root='hd0,gpt4'
		if [ x$feature_platform_search_hint = xy ]; then
		  search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root --hint-bios=hd0,gpt4 --hint-efi=hd0,gpt4 --hint-baremetal=ahci0,gpt4  fefe6dde-4b05-4d97-a384-91a527929d57
		else
		  search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root fefe6dde-4b05-4d97-a384-91a527929d57
		fi
		linux /boot/vmlinuz-4.9.0-8-amd64 root=UUID=fefe6dde-4b05-4d97-a384-91a527929d57 ro single iommu=soft
		initrd /boot/initrd.img-4.9.0-8-amd64
}
}
### END /etc/grub.d/36_os-prober_proxy ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/37_uefi-firmware ###
menuentry 'System setup' $menuentry_id_option 'uefi-firmware' {
	fwsetup
}
### END /etc/grub.d/37_uefi-firmware ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/38_memtest86+_proxy ###
menuentry "Memory Test (64-bit UEFI)" {
	insmod part_gpt
	insmod ext2
	set root='hd0,gpt8'
	if [ x$feature_platform_search_hint = xy ]; then
	  search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root --hint-bios=hd0,gpt8 --hint-efi=hd0,gpt8 --hint-baremetal=ahci0,gpt8  458848c8-3b96-4ea9-bfd7-2b1b9e3ef269
	else
	  search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 458848c8-3b96-4ea9-bfd7-2b1b9e3ef269
	fi
	chainloader	/boot/uefi-mt/mtest-64.efi
}
menuentry "Memory test (memtest86+)" {
	insmod part_gpt
	insmod ext2
	set root='hd0,gpt8'
	if [ x$feature_platform_search_hint = xy ]; then
	  search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root --hint-bios=hd0,gpt8 --hint-efi=hd0,gpt8 --hint-baremetal=ahci0,gpt8  458848c8-3b96-4ea9-bfd7-2b1b9e3ef269
	else
	  search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 458848c8-3b96-4ea9-bfd7-2b1b9e3ef269
	fi
	linux16	/boot/memtest86+.bin
}
### END /etc/grub.d/38_memtest86+_proxy ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/40_custom ###
# This file provides an easy way to add custom menu entries.  Simply type the
# menu entries you want to add after this comment.  Be careful not to change
# the 'exec tail' line above.
### END /etc/grub.d/40_custom ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/41_custom ###
if [ -f  ${config_directory}/custom.cfg ]; then
  source ${config_directory}/custom.cfg
elif [ -z "${config_directory}" -a -f  $prefix/custom.cfg ]; then
  source $prefix/custom.cfg;
fi
### END /etc/grub.d/41_custom ###

I'm no expert on GRUB but it does look I either need to generate a new configuration file or fix the old one. Would appreciate a little guidance in exactly how to do this, before I bork the system completely doing the wrong thing.

BTW, it starts and runs perfectly using another installation to manage GRUB, so it's not causing any inconvenience - just that I'd like to fix it.

[fehlix]

Not sure what causing the error, one candidate is always Grub-Customizer.
Do not recommend to use it, as it create sometimes issues with menu generation.
Suggest generate the grub-menu from with the system itself
but disable all memtest stuff

Code: Select all

chmod -x /etc/grub.d/*memtest*

In addition to get rid of those duplicated entries
you might also disable os-prober, in those installs,
which do not provide the "controlling" grub.
If still receiving an error, better also post /etc/default/grub.

[NFT5]

Thanks. I did use Grub Customizer to re-order the entries. Funny, I've used that for years and never had a problem. Always on Debian, though and the config files setup there seems a little simpler.

Anyway, I have a vanilla installation of MX18.1 in a different partition and copied the files from that into /etc/grub.d, /etc/grub and /boot/grub - after carefully backing them all up.

Then:

Code: Select all

root@BOSSDESK:/home/chris# update-grub
Generating grub configuration file ...
Found linux image: /boot/vmlinuz-4.19.0-1-amd64
Found initrd image: /boot/initrd.img-4.19.0-1-amd64
Found memtest86+ image: /boot/memtest86+.bin
Found mtest-64.efi image: /boot/uefi-mt/mtest-64.efi
Found MX 18.1 Continuum (18.1) on /dev/sda2
Found Debian GNU/Linux 9 (stretch) on /dev/sda4
Found Debian GNU/Linux 8 (jessie) on /dev/sda6
Adding boot menu entry for EFI firmware configuration
done
root@BOSSDESK:/home/chris# 

So, seems to be fixed. Guess I'll be uninstalling Grub Customizer in MX.

[asqwerth]

Every time I see duplicate or triplicate grub menu entries, the first suspect is always Grub Customiser.

People may say they've used GC for a long time without problems and yes, it makes it easy to rearrange menu entries, but one consequence of using GC in a multiboot machine with lots of distros seems to be the build up of repeat os-prober entries.

I used it from maybe 2012-2014 on my old PC and old laptop, and my grub updating process and the grub menu itself just got longer and longer as each os-prober triggered another round of generating grub entries....

After I learnt about os-prober, for a time I was manually removing the extra os-prober entries whenever they popped up but they always came back, so I finally decided to stop using GC and learn more about making custom grub entries.

[penguin]

detailed tuts about grub

Code: Select all

https://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1195275

Code: Select all

http://www.dedoimedo.com/computers/grub.html

As explained here:

Code: Select all

https://unix.stackexchange.com/questions/469153/what-are-the-implication-of-iommu-soft

iommu==soft tells the kernel to use a software implementation to remap memory for applications that can't read above the 4GB limit.

The kernel documentation for these options is here:

Code: Select all

https://github.com/spotify/linux/blob/master/Documentation/x86/x86_64/boot-options.txt#L207

What's preferable is a solution that satisfies your expectations for performance, system temperature, battery life, etc, etc. If iommu=soft give you satisfactory performance, temperature, and battery life, then I would say go with that.

[rej]

Hi-

Having this problem also.

Grub Syntax Error Notification- "Failed saving grub configuration!"

The configuration order, only, will not save.

After months of searching online, Wikis, etc and trying various suggestions including custom.cfg file, it has failed again and again. I have now found a post that appears to address the same issue that I am experiencing across several devices. It provides a fix by editing the proxy scripts with inserting a simple colon (:)- memtest86 in particular, which is where the syntax error path leads to on all my troubled devices.

The post is pertaining to someone using Manjaro and I am wondering if the same edit could be applied to MX?

Or is there a better resolve for it?

Full post:

https://unix.stackexchange.com/question ... -memtest86

Thank you.

Code: Select all

"Troubleshooting steps, in detail

The /boot/grub/grub.cfg is automatically created on "update-grub", based on a number of files: /etc/default/grub, and any files in /etc/grub.d/*.

/boot/grub/grub.cfg.new
However, in case of a syntax error (or any error, I suppose), the original /boot/grub/grub.cfg is NOT overwritten, but instead the new file is created in /boot/grub/grub.cfg.new.

The error message contains a line number, in my case 262, that refers to this /boot/grub/grub.cfg.new file. In my case, this was 262. Looking at the file, I found this:

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/60_memtest86+_proxy ###
if [ "${grub_platform}" == "pc" ]; then
fi
### END /etc/grub.d/60_memtest86+_proxy ###
I learned that en empty if/then/fi block in shell script is not allowed, so this was the syntax error. Quite stupid language design imo, but this is how it is.

I also found a fix, which is to add a meaningless statement in the block. A colon was suggested, but there might be other solutions.

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/60_memtest86+_proxy ###
if [ "${grub_platform}" == "pc" ]; then
    :
fi
### END /etc/grub.d/60_memtest86+_proxy ###
Even better would be to remove this meaningless block completely.

Now we don't really want to edit this file manually, because the changes would be wiped on the next update-grub (if successful, which is the goal).

/etc/grub.d/*
The snippet contains a hint where to look next: /etc/grub.d/60_memtest86+_proxy. This file says:

#!/bin/sh
#THIS IS A GRUB PROXY SCRIPT
'/etc/grub.d/proxifiedScripts/memtest86+' | /etc/grub.d/bin/grubcfg_proxy "+*
+#text
-'Memory Tester (memtest86+)'~30b99791e52c3f0cb32601c5b8f57cc7~
"
/etc/grub.d/proxifiedScripts/*
The relevant part of /etc/grub.d/proxifiedScripts/memtest86+ is this:

    [..]
    cat << EOF
if [ "\${grub_platform}" == "pc" ]; then
    menuentry "Memory Tester (memtest86+)" ${CLASS} {
        search --fs-uuid --no-floppy --set=root ${_GRUB_MEMTEST_HINTS_STRING} ${_GRUB_MEMTEST_FS_UUID}
        linux16 ${_GRUB_MEMTEST_REL_PATH} ${GRUB_CMDLINE_MEMTEST86}
    }
fi
EOF
[..]
The file itself is a shell script, but then it has those "cat" statements. These print the shell script snippets that should finally go into /boot/grub/grub.cfg. With some modifications, maybe.

In the /boot/grub/grub.cfg.new, we observe that the "menuentry ..." stuff is actually missing, and instead we get an empty then..fi block. Why the "menuentry ..." disappears, I don't know. Maybe grub thinks that it is not needed. Unfortunately, the removal breaks the script.

Workaround
The trick / workaround was to add a colon in this file, like this:

if [ "\${grub_platform}" == "pc" ]; then
    :
    menuentry "Memory Tester (memtest86+)" ${CLASS} {
        search --fs-uuid --no-floppy --set=root ${_GRUB_MEMTEST_HINTS_STRING} ${_GRUB_MEMTEST_FS_UUID}
        linux16 ${_GRUB_MEMTEST_REL_PATH} ${GRUB_CMDLINE_MEMTEST86}
    }
When running update-grub, this generates a grub.cfg with the workaround described above.

Background / More investigation
The /etc/grub.d/ folder on my system actually contained two files for memtest86+_proxy: 60_memtest86+_proxy and 62_memtest86+_proxy. I assume that one of them is a leftover of some sort. But both of them have the same updated timestamp, so I really don't know which of them would be safe to delete. A diff shows this:

--- /etc/grub.d/60_memtest86+_proxy 2015-01-08 15:54:02.228927526 +0100
+++ /etc/grub.d/62_memtest86+_proxy 2015-01-08 15:54:02.228927526 +0100
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 #!/bin/sh
 #THIS IS A GRUB PROXY SCRIPT
-'/etc/grub.d/proxifiedScripts/memtest86+' | /etc/grub.d/bin/grubcfg_proxy "+*
-+#text
--'Memory Tester (memtest86+)'~30b99791e52c3f0cb32601c5b8f57cc7~
+'/etc/grub.d/proxifiedScripts/memtest86+' | /etc/grub.d/bin/grubcfg_proxy "+'Memory Tester (memtest86+)'~30b99791e52c3f0cb32601c5b8f57cc7~
+-*
+-#text
 "
\ No newline at end of file
So, both of the files refer to the same proxified script, but the result is piped through the grubcfg_proxy binary, with different parameters. These different parameters could be responsible for removing the "menuentry ..." stuff in case of the 60_memtest86+_proxy."

[fehlix]

Grub Syntax Error Notification- "Failed saving grub configuration!"

After months of searching online, Wikis, etc and trying various suggestions including custom.cfg file, it has failed again and again.

You should have only ask in the forum here. Grub Customizer does produce this error. Without GC you would not have such an error. A simpler workaround would just be the disable the buggy related proxy scripts genrated by GC or perhabs just unistall the GRUB-customizer.

[rej]

Thanks fehlix-

I did try that, and it has worked in the past, except now it does not help. After completely uninstalling -GC, - updating Grub through terminal - same error message. Still the menu appears with MX - Advanced options folder and Memtest86 next then everything below that in the same order antiX-advanced options folder, and the pattern repeats for all the variations of MXs and antiXs plus Window 8.1 in the end. No duplicates though - you thankfully solved that problem for me in a previous post.

I will try completely uninstalling GC again and then run "apt autoremove" in terminal - maybe the proxy scripts will then be purged. I will post the results.

Would have asked here first, but thought with the popularity of MX and the many inquiries of newcomers, wanted to see if it could be resolved with searching, so as not to take up time from people who may be having more urgent problems.

I really appreciate your help.

[JayM]

Try

Code: Select all

sudo apt-get remove --purge grub-customizer

followed by

Code: Select all

sudo apt autoremove --purge

You may have to reinstall it before you can remove/purge it.

[JayM]

Question: does marking a package for complete removal in Synaptic then clicking Apply do the same thing?