Changing bootloader options from linux / windows?

pk21 · 02-11-2006, 08:08 AM

Hi all,

The default option for my bootloader(grub) is to start Fedora Core 4. I connect from work to my computer at home with ssh, but sometimes it is necessary to start windows and connect to home with rdesktop.
To boot windows I log in with ssh, change grub.conf and type reboot.

The problem is that I want to be able to switch back from windows to linux. I only have remote desktop connection at that time.

Is it possible to let grub boot fedora again from windows? Or is there an other bootloader that can be configured from windows and linux?

Thanks in advance.

perfect_circle · 02-11-2006, 08:39 AM

I've never tried it, but I think you can tell grub to boot something only once. This way you can boot windows and then reboot to linux.
Something like this I guess:

Code:

     default saved
     timeout 10
     
     title linux
     root (hd0,1)
     kernel /old_kernel
     savedefault
     
     title windows
     savedefault 0
     rootnoverify (hd0,0)
     chainloader +1

When you are in linux, if you type:

Code:

grub-set-default 1

You tell to grub to keep in mind that the saved default is windows.
After rebooting, since it executes the windows entry, it saves 0 as the default, so it will boot linux next time. So, every time you want to boot to windows type

Code:

grub-set-default 1

in the linux terminal.

I 'll tell you again, never tried it but I cannot think of why this shouldn't work.
Read here for more info:
http://www.gnu.org/software/grub/man...-once_002donly

pk21 · 02-11-2006, 09:38 AM

Great, thanks.
That was exactly what i am looking for. I will try tomorrow ( I am at work right now and my computer at home already booted to windows

)

perfect_circle · 02-11-2006, 10:12 AM

let me know if it works...

pk21 · 02-12-2006, 04:24 AM

I have grub-0.95-13 installed and that version does not support the grub-set-default command. I checked rpm.pbone.net and I have to upgrade to grub-0.97 but that also means i have to upgrade glibc.
Fedora Core 5 will be available as of 15 march, so I will just wait for fedora core 5.

pk21 · 04-22-2006, 04:42 PM

Still haven't found the grub-set-default tool. I thought it should be in the grub rpm but it is not.
Does anyone know where I can get the grub-set-default tool for fedora core 5?

Thanks.