Ubuntu
grub2 package

problem with dual boot

Asked by julian

just installed 10.04 Linux on my windows system. i added another hard disk for linux to use. installed ubuntu and everyhting works fine. i can choose which os to use. i have a few questions.

1. how do i change the the default os. i tried to use the procedure described on previous descussions but i cannot find the menu.lst.
2. if i take out the hard disk with the ubuntu os my system looks for the hard disk and i cannot boot to my windows hard disk. what can i do so i can boot to my windows os without the ubuntu hard disk. and to use the two hard disks separately.

please help
thank you

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Ubuntu grub2 Edit question
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inashdeen
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Best inashdeen (inashdeen) said : 		#1

u can use startup-manager
( ubuntu software center > startup-manager)
once installed, open system,administration, startup-manager
and edit it, by the way, r u using grub? this only work for grub???

as for your second question, i believe you need to run gparted in your live cd and set your windows partition back as boot. this is a bit tricky and u mught end up with a not working system,so good luck!!

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delance (olivier-delance) said : 		#2

1) change the the default os
File "menu.lst" is used only in legacy Grub, not in grub2.
File "grub.cfg" is like old "menu.lst" except it is a generated file, which will be overwritten next time grub configuration is updated (like new Linux kernel).
You have to edit file "/etc/default/grub" to update timeout and default menu entry.
See https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Grub2#Configuring%20GRUB%202
2) boot with only first disk
With Gparted, reduce a little Windows partition and add a Unix partition named /boot, in which you copy contents of current /boot in second drive. This partition will contain Grub boot-loader, configuration files for Grub and Linux kernel image.
Then you have to install Grub in this partition via
   https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Grub2#Reinstalling%20GRUB%202
sudo grub-install /dev/sda
If you need, I can simulate this last procedure on a virtual machine.
If you require help, please post result of command "sudo parted -l".

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julian (sbjulian63) said : 		#3

thank you very much for your help. i got it working.

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julian (sbjulian63) said : 		#4

Thanks inashdeen, that solved my question.