[Lembas.Bread]

I have Ubuntu 5.04 and Windows XP Media Center standard with sp2 (shouldn't make a difference though) installed on two different partitions. Mainly I use WIndows since when I decide to go play a game or play media files (on my xp partition) I don't have to reboot and reselect. The problem is by default Ubuntu starts up since it is at the top of the list. Normally I'd just go My Computer>Properties>Advanced>Settings for something on there (I forgot) and change the default, but it seems that only works with other Windows operating systems. How can I change this? It drives me crazy!

When I go to edit my boot.ini in Windows I do not even see my linux OS on there. Here is my boot.ini file:

[boot loader]
timeout=30
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Windows XP Media Center Edition" /noexecute=optin /fastdetect


As you can see Linux doesn't show up. Perhaps I could modify this in linux, but I am a bit of a linux noob having used it only for 6 months or so and I am unsure of how to do so. If anyone can tell me what to do wheter in Linux or Windows it would be very helpful.


Additional problem: My USB keyboard(s) never work in DOS and BIOS, only PS2 works. In BIOS I have USB support and USB 2.0 enabled, but it still does not work. USB to PS2 adapters don't help either. Oh, I have Award BIOS by the way.

Help will be VERY appreciated!

 

[Lembas.Bread]

Okay it doesn't seem to be my boot.ini instead it is GNU Grub .95 (or so it said during bootup) and it came with Ubuntu. I set my default boot to XP MC through command prompt, but that didn't help so I assume it is grub that configures this. I have no idea how to access this and since Linux was installed on my secondary partition I assume GNU Grub .95 was too, but I am not very good with Linux as I haave said before and I don't know how to make these changes myself. You cannot remove Grub, but it is possible to replace it with something like lilo or another boot prog. It would make my life much easier if I could simply change a setting or edit a line rather than swap boot progs.

 

[LoneWolf071]

LOL... the Boot.ini is for windows only... what did you need to do with it, if you need to change the boot order, you need to modify the MBR or the GRUB/LILO to change boot orfer...

 

[Aeuzent]

Yeah boot.ini is nothing. Actually 90% of whats in Windows is nothing. What your looking for will be under linux usually in the /boot/grub/ folder. The file you need is called menu.list

 

[Lembas.Bread]

Yes, I came to that conlusion myself (boot.ini was win only). I figured so much when I started, but I was willing to grasp on to any hope for this problem. I ahve been fixing so many problems with my various computers lately, ugh. As I said I am a bit of a Linux newbie so I am still familiarizing myself with the OS that I don't use all too often... TY for your help and I will post back here next time I reboot and check out that file path.

 

[Lembas.Bread]

My menu.lst looks like this. I think I know what to do, but I am not totally sure and I don't want to cause problems with something I do not fully understand. If anyone wants to help and either tell me what to do or do it yourself and show the changes (in a different color or whatever) feel free!

---------------------------------------

# menu.lst - See: grub(8), info grub, update-grub(8)
# grub-install(8), grub-floppy(8),
# grub-md5-crypt, /usr/share/doc/grub
# and /usr/share/doc/grub-doc/.

## default num
# Set the default entry to the entry number NUM. Numbering starts from 0, and
# the entry number 0 is the default if the command is not used.
#
# You can specify 'saved' instead of a number. In this case, the default entry
# is the entry saved with the command 'savedefault'.
default 0

## timeout sec
# Set a timeout, in SEC seconds, before automatically booting the default entry
# (normally the first entry defined).
timeout 10

## hiddenmenu
# Hides the menu by default (press ESC to see the menu)
#hiddenmenu

# Pretty colours
#color cyan/blue white/blue

## password ['--md5'] passwd
# If used in the first section of a menu file, disable all interactive editing
# control (menu entry editor and command-line) and entries protected by the
# command 'lock'
# e.g. password topsecret
# password --md5 $1$gLhU0/$aW78kHK1QfV3P2b2znUoe/
# password topsecret

#
# examples
#
# title Windows 95/98/NT/2000
# root (hd0,0)
# makeactive
# chainloader +1
#
# title Linux
# root (hd0,1)
# kernel /vmlinuz root=/dev/hda2 ro
#

#
# Put static boot stanzas before and/or after AUTOMAGIC KERNEL LIST

### BEGIN AUTOMAGIC KERNELS LIST
## lines between the AUTOMAGIC KERNELS LIST markers will be modified
## by the debian update-grub script except for the default optons below

## DO NOT UNCOMMENT THEM, Just edit them to your needs

## ## Start Default Options ##
## default kernel options
## default kernel options for automagic boot options
## If you want special options for specifiv kernels use kopt_x_y_z
## where x.y.z is kernel version. Minor versions can be omitted.
## e.g. kopt=root=/dev/hda1 ro
# kopt=root=/dev/hda2 ro

## default grub root device
## e.g. groot=(hd0,0)
# groot=(hd0,1)

## should update-grub create alternative automagic boot options
## e.g. alternative=true
## alternative=false
# alternative=true

## should update-grub lock alternative automagic boot options
## e.g. lockalternative=true
## lockalternative=false
# lockalternative=false

## altoption boot targets option
## multiple altoptions lines are allowed
## e.g. altoptions=(extra menu suffix) extra boot options
## altoptions=(recovery mode) single
# altoptions=(recovery mode) single

## nonaltoption boot targets option
## This option controls options to pass to only the
## primary kernel menu item.
## You can have ONLY one nonaltoptions line
# nonaltoptions=quiet splash

## controls how many kernels should be put into the menu.lst
## only counts the first occurence of a kernel, not the
## alternative kernel options
## e.g. howmany=all
## howmany=7
# howmany=all

## should update-grub create memtest86 boot option
## e.g. memtest86=true
## memtest86=false
# memtest86=true

## ## End Default Options ##

title Ubuntu, kernel 2.6.10-5-386
root (hd0,1)
kernel /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.10-5-386 root=/dev/hda2 ro quiet splash
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.10-5-386
savedefault
boot

title Ubuntu, kernel 2.6.10-5-386 (recovery mode)
root (hd0,1)
kernel /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.10-5-386 root=/dev/hda2 ro single
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.10-5-386
savedefault
boot

title Ubuntu, kernel memtest86+
root (hd0,1)
kernel /boot/memtest86+.bin
savedefault
boot

### END DEBIAN AUTOMAGIC KERNELS LIST

# This is a divider, added to separate the menu items below from the Debian
# ones.
title Other operating systems:
root


# This entry automatically added by the Debian installer for a non-linux OS
# on /dev/hda1
title Windows XP Media Center Edition
root (hd0,0)
savedefault
makeactive
chainloader +1

----------------------------------------------------

Alright that is it.... now.... go!

 

[Aeuzent]

You need to change default from 0 to 5, since XP is the 5th entry. (hint: count down the title entries.)

 

[Lembas.Bread]

Okay, I am still a bit confused on exactly what line I should edit. Where is the default line? I cannot seem to find it! Could someone please paste the line if they could find it. Specifiy changes in a different color if it isn't too much trouble as well. Thanks again.

 

[Aeuzent]

Change this

## default num
# Set the default entry to the entry number NUM. Numbering starts from 0, and
# the entry number 0 is the default if the command is not used.
#
# You can specify 'saved' instead of a number. In this case, the default entry
# is the entry saved with the command 'savedefault'.
default 0

to this

## default num
# Set the default entry to the entry number NUM. Numbering starts from 0, and
# the entry number 0 is the default if the command is not used.
#
# You can specify 'saved' instead of a number. In this case, the default entry
# is the entry saved with the command 'savedefault'.
default 5

 

[Lembas.Bread]

Thank you so much Aeuzent! You are my god. When I get home I'll go do that. Thanks again!

 

[Lembas.Bread]

It's a Read Only file.... how do I change that in Linux... god damn.... so close!

 

[Resolution]

chmod +w filename

 

[Lembas.Bread]

What? I did not understand that... break it down for the linux newbie... I have to say, this would have been done days ago in windows -.-

 

[Resolution]

Hmm. On the Linux command line, type chmod +w /boot/grub/menu.lst to give the file "write" access.

 

[Lembas.Bread]

Okay, I assume this is the linux eqivilent to command prompt in windows. Exactly what do I open and what do I type? (EXACTLY)

 

[Resolution]

You asked how to change the permissions on the file in Linux, and I gave you that. What is the problem? EXACTLY, where are you? Are you even in Linux, or are you trying to edit that file from within Windows?

Edit: Are you trying to do this from the Ubuntu GUI/desktop?

 

[Lembas.Bread]

I'm staring at my Ubuntu desktop confused. I don't know what to open and/or what to type.

 

[Resolution]

Well, why don't you right-click the file and go to Properties and change the permissions that way?

You need to open a terminal to type the command I showed you before.

 

[Aeuzent]

Don't change the permssions on menu.list. That's a really bad idea.


Instead just edit the file as root
in Ubuntu (if you havn't changed the password) type

sudo gedit /boot/grub/menu.list

 

[Lembas.Bread]

Okay, when I right click>properties it tells me I'm "not the owner so you can't change the file permissions" and when I try the command line I get

"chmod: changing permissions of '/boot/grub/menu.lst' : Operation not permitted"


Now what? Stupid Linux...