2

I just installed Ubuntu 9.10 on my PC. I have Windows XP as the primary OS.

I am trying to set XP as the default OS with the following command in terminal:

sudo gedit /boot/grub/menu.lst

After that it should display something like this:

enter image description here

Instead it is showing a blank menu.lst file.

What's the problem? What should I do?

6
  • This question could have some answers for you (though not a duplicate): superuser.com/questions/50684/…
    – Gnoupi
    Nov 9, 2009 at 14:47
  • ("this question can have answers for you"... always a strange thing to say :])
    – Gnoupi
    Nov 9, 2009 at 14:48
  • @ Gnoupi Nothing helpful.My problem is different
    – ravi
    Nov 9, 2009 at 14:49
  • nope. ubuntu 9.10 has switched to Grub2 which is just different. no menu.lst anymore. maybe look for a grub.cfg or similar? i haven't installed it yet so i can't tell you how to fix. :-/ Nov 9, 2009 at 14:53
  • I thought that one of the given commands to re-setup it would as well regenerate the menu.lst, pity.
    – Gnoupi
    Nov 9, 2009 at 14:53

2 Answers 2

3

As the comments point out the new Grub is just setup differently. Now you'll want to make your personalized settings changes in the file: /etc/default/grub

At a terminal:

sudo gedit /etc/default/grub

Now you can change the relevant setting (just like the settings you were accustomed to in the previous version).

More information can be found at this helpful thread: Grub 2 Basics

Also take note of the section talking about the files contained in: /etc/grub.d/

5
  • 3
    Oh the joys of getting used to the new syntax of newer version of a bootloader.
    – Sathyajith Bhat
    Nov 9, 2009 at 18:49
  • I hear ya, I didn't even know about this until researching this question... the custom file thing is a bit archaic in my eyes... but we're sure to see some helpful config tools built around this... the joy of F/OSS!
    – codeLes
    Nov 9, 2009 at 21:22
  • 1
    thanks for the info, codeLes, my searches hadn't managed to turn up a handy link like that one. Nov 10, 2009 at 0:12
  • +1 Thanks for the link.But I was too lazy to read it and in the meantime I found the exact answer.(See my answer)
    – ravi
    Nov 10, 2009 at 1:25
  • @ravi: I guess I should have given a bit more info, I think the answer still fits the context of your question... I'll just organize it a little better...
    – codeLes
    Nov 10, 2009 at 1:32
1

Following is the exact answer (worked for me perfectly):

Run following command

sudo gedit /etc/default/grub

change GRUB__DEFAULT=0 to 4

And then without forget run following command :

sudo update-grub

This will update the grub.

And you are done.

(Found this on this thread)

You must log in to answer this question.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged .