Dual boot problem after installing ubuntu 8.10

arch0N · 03-28-2009, 06:55 PM

Hello everyone I am a new user to linux so any help would be appreciated.

I had as my primary os windows xp professional and I decided to install ubuntu 8.10 32bit.I have two HDs inside so I Installed linux on the second HD.After finishing with the installation there was no dual boot it just entered linux without prompting me to choose which os I want.
I don't know what to do and I have to say that if someone wishes to help me I need a step to step guide.

Thank you for your time my friends.

Simon Bridge · 03-29-2009, 01:12 AM

From inside ubuntu - check that the windows partition is still there. (Eliminating the worst case scenario).

Usually, grub will boot to linux by default unless you specify otherwise.
Watch the bootup - you should see a message like "press escape for menu" - do so.
This behavior is controlled in /boot/grub/menu.lst - open it with a text editor. It is well commented so you should have little trouble.

widget · 03-29-2009, 11:15 AM

If you go to terminal and;

Code:

gksudo gedit /boot/grub/menu.lst

the menu list page will come up.

Scroll down the page until you come to;

Code:

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

and "comment out" hiddenmenu bymaking it look like this;

Code:

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

This way your menu will always come up so you can see it.

You can download startupmanager from synaptic or in terminal'

Code:

sudo apt-get install startupmanager

It will be available in System-> Administration

You can easily set the default OS to boot there and set the time out if you want more time to read the menu.