I want to measure the time it takes from loading grub until GNOME starts. Can I do this using existing logs? What alternatives do I have to measure the time it takes from grub until GNOME loads?
Can I measure cold boot time using logs?
gnome;grub;time
It pretty much depends on the Operating System you are using. If your OS still uses the old initscripts an rc.d system, then use something like Bootchart to measure the Booting time. Bootchart will require you to temporarily modify your kernel parameters to make it the first thing being executed.Add the following to your kernel line at the GRUB Menu:init=/sbin/bootchartdSo your Kernel line looks something like this:kernel /boot/vmlinuz root=/dev/vg/root  video=uvesafb:mtrr:3,ywrap,1680x1050-24@60 console=tty1  init=/sbin/bootchartdIn case you use the newer systemd init system (Fedora, Arch Linux, etc) then, the process is even simpler. Systemd comes with a boot process analyzer that you can simply run by calling:$ systemd-analyzeTo get more information about what is taking up maximum time, use the blame command.$ systemd-analyze blameFor a Bootchart like SVG representation, use the plot command.$ systemd-analyze plot > ~/bootup.svg