editing the /boot/grub/grub.conf file

[Debaser13]

I recently updated the kernel to my FC3 OS and now it defaults to the new kernel. I would prefer the grub loader to default back to Windows XP. Before I edit this file I have read in the book that the line:
boot = /dev/hda
default = 0

The default = 0 indicates that first linux partition is booted by default. Do I delete that line and move it to were the Windows partition line is? How do I correctly edit this file so my system defaults to Windows?

[mverbele]

nope the default indicates the boot option line
with default on 1 it takes the 2e title and default is put to windooz

(hd0,0) =partition1
(hd0,1)= partition2
...
default=0 =title1
default=1 = titl"2
...

default=1
title Fedora Core (2.6.11-1.27_FC3)
        root (hd0,1)
        kernel /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.11-1.27_FC3 ro root=/dev/hda2
        initrd /boot/initrd-2.6.11-1.27_FC3.img
title windooz
        rootnoverify (hd0,0)
        chainloader +1
title Fedora Core (2.6.11-1.14_FC3)
        root (hd0,1)
        kernel /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.11-1.14_FC3 ro root=/dev/hda2
        initrd /boot/initrd-2.6.11-1.14_FC3.img

[Debaser13]

I tried editing the grub.conf file and grub still boots to FC3. Here's what my grub.conf file looks like. Can somebody tell how to edit this file correctly so grub can default to Windows?

#boot=/dev/hda
default=0 = Windows XP Pro
default=1 = Fedora Core (2.6.11-1.27_FC3)s
timeout=10
splashimage=(hd0,1)/grub/splash.xpm.gz
hiddenmenu
title Fedora Core (2.6.11-1.27_FC3)
root (hd0,1)
kernel /vmlinuz-2.6.11-1.27_FC3 ro root=LABEL=/ rhgb quiet
initrd /initrd-2.6.11-1.27_FC3.img
title Fedora Core (2.6.9-1.667)
root (hd0,1)
kernel /vmlinuz-2.6.9-1.667 ro root=LABEL=/ rhgb quiet
initrd /initrd-2.6.9-1.667.img
title Windows XP Pro
rootnoverify (hd0,0)
chainloader +1

[Tashiro]

Try only 1 default line, like this:

default=2

0= the first entry, Fedora Core (2.6.11-1.27_FC3)
1= the second entry, Fedora Core (2.6.9-1.667)
2= the third entry, Windows XP Pro

#boot=/dev/hda
default=2
timeout=10
splashimage=(hd0,1)/grub/splash.xpm.gz
hiddenmenu
title Fedora Core (2.6.11-1.27_FC3)
root (hd0,1)
kernel /vmlinuz-2.6.11-1.27_FC3 ro root=LABEL=/ rhgb quiet
initrd /initrd-2.6.11-1.27_FC3.img
title Fedora Core (2.6.9-1.667)
root (hd0,1)
kernel /vmlinuz-2.6.9-1.667 ro root=LABEL=/ rhgb quiet
initrd /initrd-2.6.9-1.667.img
title Windows XP Pro
rootnoverify (hd0,0)
chainloader +1

Tashiro

[Debaser13]

Thanks Tashiro, it worked. Having re-edited the grub.conf file now I understand mverbele's reply. Now all I need to figure out is how to get my /media/cdrecorder to recognize a disk, and I'll be one happy FC3 user!!!

[Firewing1]

You have to put an entry in /etc/fstab... Here's mine for an example:
/dev/drive /media/cdrecorder auto pamconsole,exec,noauto,managed 0 0
the /dev/drive is the correct drive device corresponding to the cdrecorder. For me, it's /dev/hdc, but for you it might be different...
A nice way to fond out is to type this in a prompt:
nautilus /dev --no-desktop &
A nautilus window should pop up in the /dev/ directory. Look for a file called cdrecorder and right-click > Properties
It should show something like the photo I attached... Under the Link target section, whatever drive it lists is the correct one that you can replace with /dev/drive.
Firewing1

[gavinw6662]

for future, when you install a kernel from say up2date, or yum it defaults the top of your grub.conf, to make the windows the top option in grub, and boot to it if you don't make a choice (after the time out) then move the windows info to the top, that is what I do with my laptop so that my lady can use it:

default=0
timeout=20
splashimage=(hd0,1)/grub/splash.xpm.gz
hiddenmenu
title Windows (<------- Llike this)
rootnoverify (hd0,0)
chainloader +1
title Fedora Core (2.6.11-1.27_FC3)
root (hd0,1)
kernel /vmlinuz-2.6.11-1.27_FC3 ro root=/dev/VolGroup00/LogVol00 rhgb quiet
initrd /initrd-2.6.11-1.27_FC3.img

[Debaser13]

Thanks for the info. This is definately good to know for the future. It's funny you mention your lady. That's exactly why I have to have my machine default to Windows.

Thanks again!!!

[Debaser13]

I followed your steps and I did get the same cdrom properties box. Here's what my fstab file looks like.

# This file is edited by fstab-sync - see 'man fstab-sync' for details
LABEL=/ / ext3 defaults 1 1
LABEL=/boot1 /boot ext3 defaults 1 2
none /dev/pts devpts gid=5,mode=620 0 0
none /dev/shm tmpfs defaults 0 0
none /proc proc defaults 0 0
none /sys sysfs defaults 0 0
LABEL=SWAP-hda3 swap swap defaults 0 0
/dev/hdc /media/cdrecorder auto pamconsole,fscontext=system_u:object_r:removable_t ,ro,exec,noauto,managed 0 0
/dev/fd0 /media/floppy auto pamconsole,fscontext=system_u:object_r:removable_t ,exec,noauto,managed 0 0

Do I need to add /dev/drive before the /media cdrecorder to get my DVDburner to recognize when a disk is loaded?

[Firewing1]

Originally Posted by Debaser13

Do I need to add /dev/drive before the /media cdrecorder to get my DVDburner to recognize when a disk is loaded?

Don't know what you mean there... As for your fstab, is it OK if you attach it to a post so I can edit it for you? (To attach click "Go Advanced" when writing a post, and then scroll down the page. Click on "Manage atachments". Select /etc/fstab to upload, and then I'll post you back what I think is the correct version. Worst comes to worst, you can always restore it because your original /etc/fstab will be saved in this thread...
Thanks!
Firewing1

[Debaser13]

Thanks for responding.

I just noticed that the attachment came back with a response invalid file type when I tried to upload fstab. I have to try this later.