Installation Sequence of OS

[Akshay]

I m planning to format my laptop in a day or two.

I wil b installing foll. OS on my 40 GB HDD -

c:\ - WinXP (10GB partition);
d:\ - Vista Business (16GB partition)
e:\ - Ubuntu 7.04 Fiesty Fawn (4GB partition)
f:\ - 4GB Free space

Now in wht sequence shud I install d OS? I want d boot order to b as above only(whthr GRUB or nething else)

So wht sequence wud experts suggest?

PS: Posted in Open Source as I think GRUB wil hav an imp. role to play n havnt seen Vista boot option/screen as yet

 

[QwertyManiac]

XP --> Vista --> Ubuntu

 

[mehulved]

Just 4 GB? You won't be able to add much more softwares in ubuntu then. You will run out of disk space in no time. Recommended space to be given is between 10 to 15 GB

 

[Akshay]

@querty
Thnx...

@mehul

So in dat case I wil keep e: as 8GB partition (cant afford more den dat ) . Rite now Ubuntu is running excellent for me on a 4GB partition (though wit additional packages, themes, etc. I wil need some more space soon)

I m planing to keep my .doc, .xls, audio/video files on windows partition (FAT32). Hope Vista doesnt hav issues wit FAT32 (havnt tried Vista as yet. Getting my original copy soon).

------------------------------------------------------

Just been thru this tuturial for GRUB editing. Wht wud u suggest to change boot order (make windows default) in Ubuntu -

"cut-paste windows entry above Ubuntu" OR

" edit the number for the operating system entry to be booted (by the timer)" OR

"edit the number and type 'saved' there instead."

(didnt understand d diff. between 2nd n 3rd option though)

 

[QwertyManiac]

The first method is the easiest, and riskless, just follow that after you install Ubuntu.

And there is no need of a FAT32 partition, Linux supports Read/Write to NTFS pretty well now.

Plus, you should reconsider Vista's space, 16 GB is too less for that stupid bloat.

 

[Akshay]

@querty

VISTA = stupid bloat - haha - Will keep dat in mind....

 

[prasad_den]

If you are for some reason averse to editing grub manually, you can use GrubEd, which is a GUI Grub editor...

Using GrubEd, you'll be able to alter your grub settings at the touch of (a few) buttons! It currently supports:

Default menu item editing:
Timeout editing:
Disable the timeout:
Hide Grub:
Change custom colour settings:
Add a Grub splash screen:
Enable / Disable memtest86:
Change the number of kernels Grub shows:
Direct Edit:
Reboot:
Backup:
Restore:

Available here:
*ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=228104

 

[Pathik]

Actually if u want u dont even need to edit GRUB...
Just install XP.. then VISTA and then UBUNTU...
At the time of booting it ll ask you to boot into ubuntu or windows... if u select windows u ll be taken into the windows boot loader to select between XP and Vista..

 

[QwertyManiac]

Erm .. pathiks, He actually wanted the boot order to be in such a way, so that by default it enters his first choice.

 

[Akshay]

I downloaded GrubEd to edit d GRUB. I downloaded d GrubEd_es.tar.gz on my desktop. I m trying to install it but it doesnt work. D help file says dis -

INSTALLATION:

From the terminal, cd to the directory this help file is in, and type:
sudo ./install
Installation from then on is automatic.

Whn I enter above command, it says -

sudo: ./install: command not found

 

[praka123]

hmm..u can apt-get install grubconf then,no need to search www for source-is my advice.what do u want to edit?
if u r serious,u can extract grubed.xx.gz using file-roller and cd into the grubed directory and try those ./install.but again what do u want to edit?

 

[Akshay]

I want to edit d GRUB using GUI. GrubEd is supposed to hav a graphical interface for editing Grub + it has a few more functions

Default menu item editing: Set Grub to boot into whichever OS you want through a handy menu.

Timeout editing: Set the timeout to whatever you feel like. Displays a confirmation box if you set it below 3 seconds.

Disable the timeout: Always getting caught out? Just disable the timeout!

Hide Grub: Hide or unhide the Grub menu depending on your current settings.

Change custom colour settings: Set grub to a colour scheme of your choice!

Add a Grub splash screen: Make Grub display an image as it's background!

Enable / Disable memtest86: Don't want it? Scrap it

Change the number of kernels Grub shows: Confused by a big list of the same OS? Simply change the number of kernels to keep your list tidy!

Direct Edit: Shows your entire Grub settings file for easy editing.

Reboot: Reboot your machine to test your new settings.

Backup: Back up your current Grub settings. I reccommend you use this first!

Restore: Easily restore your backed up Grub settings file.

Link - *ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=228104

PS: GrubEd is already posted at thinkdigit

I extracted GrubEd.tar.gz in \akshay\grubed. But when I change to dat dir. n input d command, I get above mentioned error.

 

[gxsaurav]

Plus, you should reconsider Vista's space, 16 GB is too less for that stupid bloat.

This is my Vista partition. Even with everything installed I still have 5 GB left here. This is with Office 2007, & many more apps installed. Vista in itself uses only 8 GB HD space after installation. 15 GB is required to install cos it extracts the files to 15 GB HD

*img384.imageshack.us/img384/7687/vistasizeoe1.jpg

Keep in mind I don't keep my Music, videos etc on Vista partition.

 

[praka123]

I want to edit d GRUB using GUI. GrubEd is supposed to hav a graphical interface for editing Grub + it has a few more functions



Link - *ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=228104

PS: GrubEd is already posted at thinkdigit

I extracted GrubEd.tar.gz in \akshay\grubed. But when I change to dat dir. n input d command, I get above mentioned error.

so u need gcc and other compiling utils if u want to do that.do as below:

sudo apt-get  install build-essential

then do:
else u post the error messages u got.remember u need to read the INSTALL and README texts inside the source package.
but grubconf too is a good tool!

Grub Conf is a Gnome2 based GRUB configuration editor. It provides an easy to use interface allowing effortless modification of OS's and the flexibility to configure the most obscure options. Designed to require minimal user interaction while providing tools for the most adventurous user.

*joemonti.org/images/gc1.png

Who should use Grubonf? Users who have more than one Operating System or those with more than one Linux kernel are ideal candidates for Grubconf. This is because Grubconf's strengths are in managing Operating Systems. OSes can easily be added, edited, and removed with minimal effort and knowledge of GRUB or the OS being managed.

Grubconf needs to be run as root. If it is not, an error will be shown and will immediately quit. This is because editing the GRUB configuration is a privileged action, which should be restricted to privileged users.

^^ you can install from synaptic manager.

 

[QwertyManiac]

This is my Vista partition. Even with everything installed I still have 5 GB left here. This is with Office 2007, & many more apps installed. Vista in itself uses only 8 GB HD space after installation. 15 GB is required to install cos it extracts the files to 15 GB HD

*img384.imageshack.us/img384/7687/vistasizeoe1.jpg

Keep in mind I don't keep my Music, videos etc on Vista partition.

Dude, am telling it for his own good. I use Vista myself, there's no need to tell me how much who needs. There are some with over 5 times more Data than you. I have Vista on a 20 GB partiton and I got just 3 GB free now, with no songs, or videos, just programs. I was telling it for his own good and well, you don't wish that .. You never understand do you? Wait, you know what understand is? Nah, didn't think so. Am so sorry. But it definitely is a bloat. Ubuntu needs just 5 GB after you've installed all your required stuff on it. Now, you got something to contribute to the OSS section in its true sense, please post, else just don't bother.

Now back to the topic, Akshay, just give us the content of the file /boot/grub/menu.lst .. We'd be happy to give you an edited one in no time, no fuss at all.

Paste it at *pastebin.ca and give us the URL.

 

[Akshay]

@qwerty

My menu.lst

# menu.lst - See: grub(8), info grub, update-grub(8)
# grub-install(8), grub-floppy(8),
# grub-md5-crypt, /usr/share/doc/grub
# and /usr/share/doc/grub-doc/.

## default num
# Set the default entry to the entry number NUM. Numbering starts from 0, and
# the entry number 0 is the default if the command is not used.
#
# You can specify 'saved' instead of a number. In this case, the default entry
# is the entry saved with the command 'savedefault'.
# WARNING: If you are using dmraid do not change this entry to 'saved' or your
# array will desync and will not let you boot your system.
default 0

## timeout sec
# Set a timeout, in SEC seconds, before automatically booting the default entry
# (normally the first entry defined).
timeout 10

## hiddenmenu
# Hides the menu by default (press ESC to see the menu)
#hiddenmenu

# Pretty colours
#color cyan/blue white/blue

## password ['--md5'] passwd
# If used in the first section of a menu file, disable all interactive editing
# control (menu entry editor and command-line) and entries protected by the
# command 'lock'
# e.g. password topsecret
# password --md5 $1$gLhU0/$aW78kHK1QfV3P2b2znUoe/
# password topsecret

#
# examples
#
# title Windows 95/98/NT/2000
# root (hd0,0)
# makeactive
# chainloader +1
#
# title Linux
# root (hd0,1)
# kernel /vmlinuz root=/dev/hda2 ro
#

#
# Put static boot stanzas before and/or after AUTOMAGIC KERNEL LIST

### BEGIN AUTOMAGIC KERNELS LIST
## lines between the AUTOMAGIC KERNELS LIST markers will be modified
## by the debian update-grub script except for the default options below

## DO NOT UNCOMMENT THEM, Just edit them to your needs

## ## Start Default Options ##
## default kernel options
## default kernel options for automagic boot options
## If you want special options for specific kernels use kopt_x_y_z
## where x.y.z is kernel version. Minor versions can be omitted.
## e.g. kopt=root=/dev/hda1 ro
## kopt_2_6_8=root=/dev/hdc1 ro
## kopt_2_6_8_2_686=root=/dev/hdc2 ro
# kopt=root=UUID=2514ef22-a2d5-4d93-adbd-b783071cf91c ro

## Setup crashdump menu entries
## e.g. crashdump=1
# crashdump=0

## default grub root device
## e.g. groot=(hd0,0)
# groot=(hd0,6)

## should update-grub create alternative automagic boot options
## e.g. alternative=true
## alternative=false
# alternative=true

## should update-grub lock alternative automagic boot options
## e.g. lockalternative=true
## lockalternative=false
# lockalternative=false

## additional options to use with the default boot option, but not with the
## alternatives
## e.g. defoptions=vga=791 resume=/dev/hda5
# defoptions=quiet splash

## should update-grub lock old automagic boot options
## e.g. lockold=false
## lockold=true
# lockold=false

## Xen hypervisor options to use with the default Xen boot option
# xenhopt=

## Xen Linux kernel options to use with the default Xen boot option
# xenkopt=console=tty0

## altoption boot targets option
## multiple altoptions lines are allowed
## e.g. altoptions=(extra menu suffix) extra boot options
## altoptions=(recovery) single
# altoptions=(recovery mode) single

## controls how many kernels should be put into the menu.lst
## only counts the first occurence of a kernel, not the
## alternative kernel options
## e.g. howmany=all
## howmany=7
# howmany=all

## should update-grub create memtest86 boot option
## e.g. memtest86=true
## memtest86=false
# memtest86=true

## should update-grub adjust the value of the default booted system
## can be true or false
# updatedefaultentry=false

## ## End Default Options ##

# This is a divider, added to separate the menu items below from the Debian
# ones.
title Other operating systems:
root


# This entry automatically added by the Debian installer for a non-linux OS
# on /dev/sda1
title Microsoft Windows XP Professional
root (hd0,0)
savedefault
makeactive
chainloader +1

title Ubuntu, kernel 2.6.20-15-generic
root (hd0,6)
kernel /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.20-15-generic root=UUID=2514ef22-a2d5-4d93-adbd-b783071cf91c ro quiet splash
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.20-15-generic
quiet
savedefault

title Ubuntu, kernel 2.6.20-15-generic (recovery mode)
root (hd0,6)
kernel /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.20-15-generic root=UUID=2514ef22-a2d5-4d93-adbd-b783071cf91c ro single
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.20-15-generic

title Ubuntu, memtest86+
root (hd0,6)
kernel /boot/memtest86+.bin
quiet

### END DEBIAN AUTOMAGIC KERNELS LIST

Offtopic: Wht is equivalent of Ctrl + Alt + Del. in Ubuntu? My sys. just crashed wit Beryl n had to turn off using "long press power button"

 

[QwertyManiac]

You can use Ctrl + Alt + Backspace to restart your X-Display and re-login. Some sort of an equivalent. For the rest crash/hang, Gnome handles it well and you can use System > Administration > System Monitor.

Btw, I do see Windows up in the list of your grub, what else do you want changed?

 

[Akshay]

Default boot option is :

title Other operating systems:
root

Aftr 10 secs, I get error n it comes bak to GRUB screen. (Error coz Other operating systems: root) doesnt seem to b a valid option n I want to know will it wrk properly if I put

title Microsoft Windows XP Professional
root (hd0,0)
savedefault
makeactive
chainloader +1

above d odr OS entry.

 

[praka123]

U need to make ur menu.lst look as below(the OS part):

## ## End Default Options ##

# This is a divider, added to separate the menu items below from the Debian
# ones.

# This entry automatically added by the Debian installer for a non-linux OS
# on /dev/sda1
title Microsoft Windows XP Professional
root (hd0,0)
savedefault
makeactive
chainloader +1

title Other operating systems:
root

title Ubuntu, kernel 2.6.20-15-generic
root (hd0,6)
kernel /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.20-15-generic root=UUID=2514ef22-a2d5-4d93-adbd-b783071cf91c ro quiet splash
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.20-15-generic
quiet
savedefault

title Ubuntu, kernel 2.6.20-15-generic (recovery mode)
root (hd0,6)
kernel /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.20-15-generic root=UUID=2514ef22-a2d5-4d93-adbd-b783071cf91c ro single
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.20-15-generic

title Ubuntu, memtest86+
root (hd0,6)
kernel /boot/memtest86+.bin
quiet


### END DEBIAN AUTOMAGIC KERNELS LIST

this will default to windows xp after the time delay.u can increase time delay as follows by editing /boot/grub/menu.lst
the entry:

## timeout sec
# Set a timeout, in SEC seconds, before automatically booting the default entry
# (normally the first entry defined).
[B][SIZE="3"]timeout 60[/SIZE][/B]

Now u can change default by editing "default x" to ur value.
If u dont know how to edit as root,use the gksudo method.
press ALT+F2 to get run a command:
enter

gksudo gedit /boot/grub/menu.lst

^^ and do ya work.

 

[Akshay]

Thnx praka... doin as u mentioned....