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Old 09-24-2018, 09:06 PM   #1
coderlen
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Cannot change boot order on multi-OS boot screen


The following is the multi-OS bootup screen, which shows on bootup:

GNU GRUB version 2.02~beta2-36ubuntu3.14+linuxmint1

Linux Mint 18.3 KDE 64-bit
Advanced options for Linux Mint 18.3 KDE 64-bit
Windows Boot Manager (on /dev/sda1)
Linux Mint 18.3 Sylvia (18.3) (on /dev/sda5)
Advanced options for Linux Mint 18.3 Sylvia (18.3) (on /dev/sda5)
Ubuntu 18.04 LTS (18.04) (on /dev/sda7)
Advanced options for Ubuntu 18.04 LTS (18.04) (on /dev/sda7)
System setup

If I do not make a selection on bootup, it will boot into Linux Mint. I need to change the boot order so that at least Ubuntu is on top, then probably Windows, then the other OS selections.

I have tried doing this using Grub Customizer, but it made no difference whatsoever. I searched the Internet, and one post suggested that you need to perform the Grub Customizer on the first-installed OS, or it won't take. For me, that could be problematic, as I think Linux Mint does not have many of Ubuntu's command line commands. I have experienced that before when I tried to use Mint, so I am afraid to try this on anything except those which have a powerful command line, and Mint seems to be a cut-down version of Ubuntu.

Another post I ran across suggested just editting the /etc/default/grub file, which would only change the default OS to boot into. But how about changing the order of ALL the entries? I'm sure there's a way to do this, but I am clueless.

I've spent a little bit too much time trying to solve this on my own, so I turn to LQ, which is where I should have started. Thanks.
 
Old 09-24-2018, 09:23 PM   #2
syg00
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Hmmm - interesting attitude.
Mint is derived from Ubuntu - anything from Ubuntu can generally be used, but may require installing it first. Same applies to other distros - Ubuntu included which is derived from Debian.

Grub customiser would need to be run on the system (distro) that currently has control of the MBR on BIOS based systems. Try running grub-install then grub customiser. For UEFI it shouldn't matter, but I've never used it (customiser).
 
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Old 09-24-2018, 10:45 PM   #3
hydrurga
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A quick way of doing this is to boot into Ubuntu and run:

Code:
sudo apt-get --reinstall install grub-pc
The auto configuration caused by the reinstallation should normally place Ubuntu at the top of the list.
 
Old 09-25-2018, 04:30 AM   #4
Honest Abe
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In my multiboot menu, I use grub2-set-default.
Usage is
Code:
grub2-set-default MENU_ENTRY (It may be a number, a menu item title or a menu item identifier.)
Note: checked on CentOS/OpenSUSE

Last edited by Honest Abe; 09-25-2018 at 04:31 AM. Reason: added note
 
Old 09-25-2018, 04:35 AM   #5
mrmazda
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One alternative (which I use on my UEFI PCs):
1-For installations that don't automatically make simple symlinks to kernels and initrds (e.g. vmlinuz & initrd.img), create them yourself (e.g. vmlinuz1 & initrd1)
2-Copy /etc/grub.d/41_custom to /etc/grub.d/07_custom
3-Build the file referred to in 07_custom, incorporating the desired symlinks

This will cause the custom boot stanzas to appear first in the Grub menu, in the order they appear in the custom.cfg. All those which follow can be ignored, unless wanted, such as those using prior installed kernels. The unwanted ones' creation can be avoided by removing execute bits from 10_linux, 20_linux_xen, 30_os-prober, etc. in /etc/grub.d/. New symlinks will need to be created for each kernel version upgrade, or else the old ones will continue to be used. At such times, old ones can be renamed (e,g, mv vmlinuz1 vmlinuz2) or deleted.

A similar effect can be achieved by copying 40_custom to 06_custom, which uses auto-generated stanzas instead of self-created ones. (not a method I've tested)
 
Old 09-25-2018, 07:21 AM   #6
coderlen
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Thanks, everyone, for your suggestions. I eventually went with syg00's suggestion. I booted into Linux Mint, the first Linux I had installed some months ago. Apparently, it still had control of the MBR, since it was the first OS to be installed, so that was key to getting the Grub Customizer changes to stick.

I did have a little trouble getting Grub Customizer to install on Linux Mint. Had to search around the Internet for some suggestions. Sorry, can't remember exactly what I did, but I eventually got Grub Customizer installed on Linux Mint, and it was child's play to change the order once I got it working. That is a really superb tool.

Now my boot screen shows like I want it:

Ubuntu 18.04 LTS (18.04) (on /dev/sda7)
Windows Boot Manager (on /dev/sda1)
Linux Mint 18.3 KDE 64-bit
Advanced options for Linux Mint 18.3 KDE 64-bit
Linux Mint 18.3 Sylvia (18.3) (on /dev/sda5)
Advanced options for Linux Mint 18.3 Sylvia (18.3) (on /dev/sda5)
Advanced options for Ubuntu 18.04 LTS (18.04) (on /dev/sda7)
System setup

Thanks again for your assistance!
 
  


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