simple grub question

[1jackjack]

my grub.conf

# grub.conf generated by anaconda
#
# Note that you do not have to rerun grub after making changes to this file
# NOTICE: You have a /boot partition. This means that
# all kernel and initrd paths are relative to /boot/, eg.
# root (hd0,5)
# kernel /vmlinuz-version ro root=/dev/VolGroup00/LogVol00
# initrd /initrd-version.img
#boot=/dev/sda
default=0
timeout=5
splashimage=(hd0,5)/grub/splash.xpm.gz
hiddenmenu
title Fedora (2.6.21-1.3228.fc7)
root (hd0,5)
kernel /vmlinuz-2.6.21-1.3228.fc7 ro root=/dev/VolGroup00/LogVol00 rhgb quiet
initrd /initrd-2.6.21-1.3228.fc7.img
title Fedora (2.6.21-1.3194.fc7)
root (hd0,5)
kernel /vmlinuz-2.6.21-1.3194.fc7 ro root=/dev/VolGroup00/LogVol00 rhgb quiet
initrd /initrd-2.6.21-1.3194.fc7.img
title Other
rootnoverify (hd0,0)
chainloader +1

On my laptop hard drive, I was running XP, and added a partition for f7. Installed it and love it! But I have a few questions:

1) Why does it have 2 listings for f7?
2) How do I make default boot to XP?
3) Can I change the name of my XP boot currently called "Other"?

Many Thanks.x

[leigh123linux]

# grub.conf generated by anaconda
#
# Note that you do not have to rerun grub after making changes to this file
# NOTICE: You have a /boot partition. This means that
# all kernel and initrd paths are relative to /boot/, eg.
# root (hd0,5)
# kernel /vmlinuz-version ro root=/dev/VolGroup00/LogVol00
# initrd /initrd-version.img
#boot=/dev/sda
default=2
timeout=10
splashimage=(hd0,5)/grub/splash.xpm.gz
hiddenmenu
title Fedora (2.6.21-1.3228.fc7)
root (hd0,5)
kernel /vmlinuz-2.6.21-1.3228.fc7 ro root=/dev/VolGroup00/LogVol00 rhgb quiet
initrd /initrd-2.6.21-1.3228.fc7.img
title Fedora (2.6.21-1.3194.fc7)
root (hd0,5)
kernel /vmlinuz-2.6.21-1.3194.fc7 ro root=/dev/VolGroup00/LogVol00 rhgb quiet
initrd /initrd-2.6.21-1.3194.fc7.img
title Windows XP
rootnoverify (hd0,0)
chainloader +1

You have two F7 entries because you have two kernels installed

[bob]

Okay, those are easy to fix. First of all, you have two entries for Fedora since, by default, Fedora will leave one previous kernel plus the most recent kernel. That's in case you ever have a problem with one, there's still the other to boot to. In the future, Fedora will remove the older kernel when a new one is added.

As to the other changes, use a text editor such as gedit to edit /boot/grub/grub.conf. Sign into a terminal as root (su -) and then:

gedit /boot/grub/grub.conf

Now, besides changing the wording for Other to Windows XP or whatever you want, you can also change "default=0" to "default=2". The computer counts up from zero, so the first kernel is "0", the second one is "1" and that will mean XP is "2" . You may also want to increase or decrease the "timeout" (time to boot the default OS/kernel) and perhaps put a comment "#" in front of 'hiddenmenu' to show the menu each time it boots without having to hit a key.

Once you've made your changes, simply save and exit the gedit window, then type "exit" to leave root and save your work. Reboot and test.

[glennzo]

Originally Posted by 1jackjack

1) Why does it have 2 listings for f7?

When the kernel get's updated the system always keeps the last 'newest' kernel. That way, if you have problems with the new kernel you can always boot the last one, which we assume worked.

Originally Posted by 1jackjack

2) How do I make default boot to XP?

Edit /boot/grub/menu.lst as root user. There's a line at the top that says default = x. Change the number, x, to represent the location of your XP boot stanza. If the XP stanza is the third one then the line should read default = 2, as default starts with 0.

Originally Posted by 1jackjack

3) Can I change the name of my XP boot currently called "Other"?

Edit /boot/grub/menu.lst again and call it anything you want. Grub doesn't care.

[1jackjack]

Pretty comprehensive guys, and speedy too!
Much Appreciated.x

[1jackjack]

Tested; it all works great! So I was just wondering;

1) What would happen if I loaded the old kernel version? Would I even notice any difference?
2) What would I have to do to put my windows option at the top of the list? Could I just move a few lines of code?

Thanks again.x

[bob]

Well, you probably won't notice any difference unless you've loaded nvidia or ati drivers for the new kernel and deleted the ones for the old kernel. Otherwise, there's probably only minor changes. Sure, boot the old one and check it out. No harm done.

And, as to moving Windows up the list. It can be done easily (copy/paste), but when Fedora loads a new kernel, it's going to take top billing again, so might as well leave it alone. C'mon now, does Windows REALLY deserve top billing?

[1jackjack]

But bob, how often does this happen? Also; are you telling me you have NO windows installation?

If it's easy to do, give me the instructions and I will decide if I can be bothered to keep moving it with each new release!

[lmo]

Here is a method to set the default without editiing grub.conf each time you wish to change the default.

You can can change the default line to:

default saved

and as the last line under each "title", add the line:

savedefault

What this does is to default to the position of the last "title" that was booted. If you boot a different "title" then that will become the new default. If a new "title" is added at the top, then the "default" will get shifted (distorted) based on the current grub.conf until the desired "title" is booted.

The "savedefault" line updates a file called default in the /boot/grub/directory.

If there are some "titles" that you never wish to become a default via this method, then omit the "savedefault" line from those titles.

This functionality seems to have begun in grub version 0.97

[bob]

Good info! And, about the kernel changes...well, Fedora is known as a 'test-bed' distro for new tweaks and software. So, you can probably count on somewhere between 5-10 new kernels per year. And, no, Windows and I parted company a couple of years ago and no loss felt on this end. Linux does anything and everything I need or want without having to bother with spending money or having anti-virus and anti-spyware programs.

As to 'copy & paste', you can do that a couple of ways: Left-click your mouse and drag across the text to be copied so it's high-lighted and then either chose Edit > Copy from your toolbar or use the CTRL plus C keys to copy and then CTRL plus V key to paste or Edit > Paste. Of course, you'd also delete the old position of the text.

[1jackjack]

thank you for your help.

bob, when i asked for instructions, maybe i was being a bit pedantic, but the amount of times i'v had to reinstall Linux because of some minor tweak.... i was just being careful. Also, you may want to look into ctrl x