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Post by Pete on Mar 8, 2009 19:00:17 GMT
Is there a way to change my Boot menu , at the moment it has Linux first and Windows last. So I have to hang around the computer to be clicking on the down arrows to select Windows, if I miss it the default boot seems to be Linux.
Would like windows at top and linux at the bottom of the menu.
The Menu was set up when I first installed Linux OS Gnome 2008.
Thanks.
Pete.
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Post by mikkh on Mar 8, 2009 20:06:47 GMT
I don't know what 'Linux OS Gnome 2008' is, so I'll guess it's the Gnome version of PCXlinuxOS you mean?
It doesn't really matter, but it would help in identifying whether it's a 'grub' or 'lilo' bootloader that needs to be changed.
It's a job that needs 'root' (administrator) permissions, so the first thing to do is login as 'root' in your version of Linux - unless it's the annoying Ubuntu, which doesn't let you do such things - you need to use the 'sudo' command instead, as a user.
Depending on the version of Linux it is, there may be a boot menu changing tool already installed, which makes it a doddle. Otherwise you'll have to edit the menu.lst file (if it's 'grub') or the lilo.conf file, if it's a lilo bootloader yourself manually.
Have a look to see if you have such a tool already installed, and if you could be a bit more precise about the exact version you have installed, I can give you 'distro' specific commands to use
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Post by Pete on Mar 9, 2009 11:56:19 GMT
Thanks mikkh,
I think it is called PCLinuxOS Gnome......Just going to boot it up, then I'll know and if wrong will come back and say so. Shall try what you have given me so far, thanks again.
Pete.
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Post by Pete on Mar 9, 2009 13:39:15 GMT
Hi Mikkh,
Can you let me know how to change it for windows first and Linux second?
Grub folder
this is menu1st file:
timeout 10
color black/cyan yellow/cyan
gfxmenu (hd0,5)/usr/share/gfxboot/themes/pclos-gnome/boot/message
default 0
title linux
kernel (hd0,5)/boot/vmlinuz BOOT_IMAGE=linux root=/dev/hdc6 acpi=on resume=/dev/hdc5 splash=silent vga=788
initrd (hd0,5)/boot/initrd.img
title linux-nonfb
kernel (hd0,5)/boot/vmlinuz BOOT_IMAGE=linux-nonfb root=/dev/hdc6 acpi=on resume=/dev/hdc5
initrd (hd0,5)/boot/initrd.img
title failsafe
kernel (hd0,5)/boot/vmlinuz BOOT_IMAGE=failsafe root=/dev/hdc6 failsafe acpi=on resume=/dev/hdc5
initrd (hd0,5)/boot/initrd.img
title windows
root (hd1,0)
map (0x81) (0x80)
map (0x80) (0x81)
makeactive
chainloader +1
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Post by mikkh on Mar 9, 2009 15:54:18 GMT
just change the 'default' entry to 3 instead of 0
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Post by mikkh on Mar 9, 2009 16:00:56 GMT
.... and make sure you're logged in as 'root', or it won't let you do it
then simply restart
You could change the 'timeout' entry to a smaller value too - something like 4 if you have good reactions, or about 6 suits most people
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Post by mikkh on Mar 9, 2009 16:10:12 GMT
You can even change the 'titles' if you're feeling adventurous
'linux' always seems a bit naff to me, I prefer the real name like 'PClinuxOS'
and I usually change windows to Windows or WinXP
I don't think spaces are allowed, but length is not limited AFAIK - if you want something more descriptive like 'MicrosoftBetterTheDevilYouKnowThanThatLinuxThingy'
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Post by Pete on Mar 10, 2009 13:32:13 GMT
It would not let me in as root, so decided to reinstall, and start all over again, but so far not doing so good. I will persevere with different linux installs. Thanks for the easy way to fix this, if only it had accepted my root as root password, I could have managed that. lol.
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Post by lazysod on Mar 10, 2009 19:22:34 GMT
In Mint as recommended by our very own Linux advisor Mikkh I found the easiest way was to install startupmanager from your Package Manager. It'll then show up in Control Center > System > Startup Manager. It will also show up under Administration but does not seem not to work in there  you have to go through the control centre. I am not sure if it is the same in PclinuxOs or if you will still need a root password to do that as well but in Mint it is straight forward. Good luck Pete  |
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Post by Pete on Mar 10, 2009 22:22:36 GMT
Still trying........thanks Lazysod....
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Post by lazysod on Mar 10, 2009 22:53:17 GMT
Oh good luck Pete I thought id pop in a screenshot of what i get on Linux Mint It is just a pull down and you choose the default one. I don't know anything about how to solve your root password problem I am sure Mikkh will :)I just thought I would mention this start up manager incase it works with PcLinuxOs.  |
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Post by Pete on Mar 11, 2009 9:46:56 GMT
Thanks Lazysod.........let you know when I've got it back.
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Post by elvisuk on Mar 15, 2009 18:04:20 GMT
Linux mint will ask you for your root password if you try to change things.
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Post by Pete on Mar 18, 2009 22:26:30 GMT
Sorry I gave up, and now just keep a cd of puppy linux in my cd player, so when I boot that up, it loads to ram. It manages my printer okay, and can use internet. Each time I close down it keeps a record of what I have done on each session. So it is as if I have it installed to hard drive, something I have not managed to do.
Had a go at loading Linux Mint, but the cd works okay but fails to install to harddrive.
Pete.
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Post by mikkh on Mar 19, 2009 0:28:43 GMT
Puppy is a fabulous little OS, especially some of the community edition versions like 'Tiger', "Vesta" (no prizes for guessing what that is trying to look like) and Flexxxpup You can get all of them and lots more here... www.puppylinux.org/downloads/puplets |
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Post by Pete on Mar 19, 2009 17:04:51 GMT
thks mikkh, I have got the puppy4.1 linux, it seems to behave very well, and had to download the printer driver. that was very easy, and all worked, which is what we all want. Ease of use, and all the stuff we need working okay. It is fabulous, thanks for introducing me to linux.
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you have to go through the control centre. I am not sure if it is the same in PclinuxOs or if you will still need a root password to do that as well but in Mint it is straight forward.
