Booting into Linux remotely?

fyzle · 10-13-2007, 05:22 AM

Here's my situation.

1. I have a computer (computer A) that has GRUB and a dual boot configuration defaulted to boot into Windows Vista. The other operating system is Ubuntu. Currently, it is booted into Vista.

2. I am nowhere near computer A.

3. How do I boot computer A into Ubuntu?

4. Once I have it booted into Ubuntu, how do I boot it back into Vista? (I know how to use SSH.)

Please Help! (And thanks!)

Disillusionist · 10-13-2007, 05:53 AM

The best way would be to speak to someone near computer A

This is the issue with dual boot machines, you need to be there to make the relevant choices.

One alternative is to use virtual machines (I use vmware at work and Virtualbox at home)

This saves having to reboot a physical machine to use a different OS.

If this was a HP Proliant Server you could use Advanced ILO to power cycle the machine and view a remote console not sure if there are similar options for the home market.

The_JinJ · 10-13-2007, 06:48 AM

Not a great idea and lots of scope for things to go wrong but you could change GRUB default boot order each time
So when in Linux and need to reboot to Vista just change the default to the Vista partition - once in there and need back to Linux do the same....this is where it is less than perfect though. There is a tool to edit ext2/3 and Reiser FS from Windows - http://www.it.fht-esslingen.de/~zimm...re/ltools.html - also a GUI which would probably be adviseable to use.....

VMs are the easier option as mentioned above.....