Automatic grub choice on reboot

sausagejohnson · 09-09-2007, 03:32 AM

Hi Guys, here is an interesting situation that I would like to see if anyone has an idea on.

For many years I have had two choices in my grub list:

1. Linux
2. Other OS of choice

Sometimes if I want to reboot into the other OS, I simply do a 'reboot' in a console. What I would like to do is to find a way to reboot and have choice 2 in my grub menu chosen automatically for this _one time only_.

For instance, if I wanted to reboot to the other OS, and knowing this OS is choice 2 in the grub menu I could issue a command such as:

reboot-grub-item 2

The reason I would like to do this is so that I don't have to sit at the PC waiting for Linux to shut down, restart to grub, and make the choice. I can just issue the command and go off and make myself a milo. Anyone have any ideas here?

makuyl · 09-09-2007, 05:37 AM

Perhaps "Method 1" on this page: http://sidvind.com/wiki/GRUB:_Boot_another_OS_once

Now for the important question, what's a milo?

sausagejohnson · 09-09-2007, 06:36 AM

Many thanks! That is exactly what I was after.

Yes... I should explain a milo. Basically an Australian powdered chocolate milk product: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nestl%C3%A9_Milo

makuyl · 09-09-2007, 12:28 PM

Hmm, I don't think I'd like a milo

Btw, you might want to script the rebooting in Method 1, and perhaps place the script under /usr/local/bin/.

sausagejohnson · 09-10-2007, 06:01 AM

Ah it's good stuff indeed.

I actually did make a script to do the job for me at /usr/local/bin/windows. In case anyone wants to use it:

Code:

#!/bin/bash

if [ "$1" != "-p" ]; then
        echo -e "Do you wish to boot to windows? Use -p, ie: windows -p\n"
        exit
fi

echo "savedefault --default=3 --once" | grub --batch
reboot

Of course replace the -default=3 with the correct choice in your own grub menu. The numbering starts at 0. So in my case 3, is 4th in the list.