Linux Operating System ZORIN OS 18 _ How to get the Knoppix9 "Center Screen" Look in Zorin OS _ 2

 

Hi Grandpa Norizan! 😊

AHHHH... now we are getting much closer to the mystery!

Looking at everything you have done, I actually do not think the problem is your Plymouth script anymore.

From your description:

"after Zorin OS is fully booted up, I am greeted with username Norizan and a request to key in my password"

This tells me something very important.

There are actually two separate screens involved:

1. Plymouth Boot Splash Screen

   • Appears immediately after GRUB.
   • Runs while Linux is loading.
   • This is where Tux should appear.

2. Login Screen (GDM)

   • Appears after booting is complete.
   • Shows your username "Norizan".
   • Requests your password.

KNOPPIX is different because it normally goes directly to the desktop and often doesn't stop at a login manager.

So let us determine WHICH of these is causing the problem.

---

First Test

Please run:

sudo update-alternatives --display default.plymouth

You should see something similar to:

default.plymouth - auto mode

  link best version is ...

  link currently points to ...

/usr/share/plymouth/themes/knoppix-tux/knoppix-tux.plymouth

The important line is:

link currently points to

If it points to something like:

spinner.plymouth

or

zorin-logo.plymouth

then your custom theme is not actually selected.

---

Second Test

Let's make sure the files are really there:

ls -l /usr/share/plymouth/themes/knoppix-tux/

You should see:

knoppix-tux.plymouth

knoppix-tux.script

tux.png

Especially verify that:

tux.png

exists.

---

Third Test

Very important:

Run:

sudo plymouthd --debug

sudo plymouth --show-splash

Then in another terminal:

sudo plymouth quit

If the screen remains completely black, then Plymouth may be failing to load the script.

---

Fourth Test

Check for errors:

sudo journalctl -b | grep plymouth

or

sudo journalctl -b -p err

Sometimes Plymouth silently reports:

cannot load image

or

syntax error

Inside the script.

---

One Thing That Worries Me

Looking at the script you posted:

tux_image = Image("tux.png");

In some Plymouth versions, the image must be loaded using the full path.

Try changing:

tux_image = Image("tux.png");

to

tux_image = Image("/usr/share/plymouth/themes/knoppix-tux/tux.png");

Then rebuild:

sudo update-initramfs -u

sudo update-grub

and reboot.

---

Another Very Common Problem

Zorin OS 18 uses modern graphics drivers.

Sometimes Plymouth starts in:

BGRT Theme

which displays the manufacturer's logo (ASUS, Acer, MSI, Dell, HP).

In such systems Plymouth is actually running but your custom theme never gets displayed because the firmware logo takes over.

To check:

plymouth-set-default-theme -l

Tell me the complete output.

If you see:

bgrt

that's an important clue.

---

About The Login Screen Showing "Norizan"

Grandpa, that part is actually normal. 😄

Even if we successfully get the famous KNOPPIX Tux standing in the centre of the screen, after Linux finishes loading, Zorin will still show:

Norizan

Password:

unless we enable automatic login.

So the real question is:

A) Do you want:

Tux during boot only

OR

B) Do you want:

Tux during boot AND Tux on the login screen

Because those are handled by two completely different systems:

• Plymouth = boot screen
• GDM = login screen

And if Grandpa wants the full KNOPPIX-style experience, I think we can also customize the GDM login screen so that a large centered Tux appears there as well. 🐧

My personal suspicion right now is about 70% that your custom Plymouth theme is either:

• not actually selected as the active theme, or
• not loading tux.png correctly, or
• being overridden by the BGRT firmware splash.

The output of these three commands will probably reveal the culprit:

sudo update-alternatives --display default.plymouth

ls -l /usr/share/plymouth/themes/knoppix-tux/

plymouth-set-default-theme -l

I have a feeling we're very close to catching this slippery little penguin, Grandpa Norizan! 🐧😁

****************************************************************************************

HA-HA-HA-HA! 😄🐧

Grandpa Norizan, please don't get a heart attack over one stubborn little penguin!

Honestly, looking at all those commands and configuration files, I must say you've already ventured far deeper into the Linux jungle than many users ever do. A lot of people would have given up long ago, but Grandpa Norizan is still marching forward with Tux flying the flag! 🐧🏴

My advice for now:

✅ Take it slowly.

✅ Test one thing at a time.

✅ Keep notes of the command outputs.

✅ If something looks strange, don't panic.

✅ And most importantly, keep your sense of humor. 😄

Remember, we're not trying to repair a damaged nuclear reactor. We're simply trying to convince one penguin to stand politely in the center of the screen during boot-up. HA-HA-HA-HA!

Sometimes with Linux, the solution turns out to be something surprisingly simple, such as:

• the theme not being selected,
• the image file not being found,
• the initramfs not picking up the new files,
• the graphics driver hiding Plymouth,
• or Zorin overriding the custom theme.

So don't be discouraged if the answer turns out to be one tiny detail.

And please remember:

The fact that you are seeing "Norizan" and a password prompt does not necessarily mean the Plymouth theme failed. It simply means the login manager is working normally after the boot process has completed.

Take your time, enjoy the troubleshooting adventure, and when you've gathered the outputs from those commands, bring them back here and we'll examine them together like two Linux detectives searching for clues. 🔍🐧

Until then, Grandpa Norizan...

May your coffee stay hot ☕,

May your hard disks stay healthy 💽,

May your backups remain intact 💾,

And may the mighty Tux Penguin finally appear in the center of your Zorin OS screen! 🐧😄

See you later, Grandpa Norizan! 👋🙂