default boot up question

[shep100uk]

hello everyone newbie to the forum
(but ive used backtrack for a while)

ive just installed backtrack 5 to hard drive and im wondering how i make it so when i turn on computer backtrack/ubuntu isnt my default boot up

i want it so windows vista is my default boot ( i no many off you will say dont use vista its a virus machine but i use vista alot more for certain programs)

so can anyone tell me how to make vista my default boot
thankyou for your help

[thorin]

Which install process did you follow?

[shep100uk]

i already had vista installed
i ran backtrack 5 on disk and used the install on the desktop to install backtrack to seperate partition

but when i switch on laptop my default boot is backtrack/linux
i have to press down to get vista but i want it so vista is at the top

[comaX]

I'm guessing you have grub, so you go to /boot/grub/grub.cfg and edit XX in #1 to the number corresponding to the desired device in the list (#2), starting at 0.

#1
### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/00_header ###
if [ -s $prefix/grubenv ]; then
load_env
fi
set default="XX"
if [ ${prev_saved_entry} ]; then
set saved_entry=${prev_saved_entry}
save_env saved_entry
set prev_saved_entry=
save_env prev_saved_entry
set boot_once=true
fi


#2
### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/10_linux ###
menuentry 'BackTrack 5, with Linux 2.6.38' --class ubuntu --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os { ==> THIS IS 0
recordfail
insmod ext2
set root='(hd1,3)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set e9a445ef-cd89-46f8-920b-be883d0baf8d
linux /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.38 root=UUID=e9a445ef-cd89-46f8-920b-be883d0baf8d ro text splash nomodeset vga=791
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.38
}
menuentry 'BackTrack 5, with Linux 2.6.38 (recovery mode)' --class ubuntu --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os { ==> THIS IS 1
recordfail
insmod ext2
set root='(hd1,3)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set e9a445ef-cd89-46f8-920b-be883d0baf8d
echo 'Loading Linux 2.6.38 ...'
linux /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.38 root=UUID=e9a445ef-cd89-46f8-920b-be883d0baf8d ro single
echo 'Loading initial ramdisk ...'
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.38
}
### END /etc/grub.d/10_linux ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/20_memtest86+ ###
menuentry "Memory test (memtest86+)" { ==> THIS IS 2
insmod ext2
set root='(hd1,3)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set e9a445ef-cd89-46f8-920b-be883d0baf8d
linux16 /boot/memtest86+.bin
}
menuentry "Memory test (memtest86+, serial console 115200)" { ==> THIS IS 3
insmod ext2
set root='(hd1,3)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set e9a445ef-cd89-46f8-920b-be883d0baf8d
linux16 /boot/memtest86+.bin console=ttyS0,115200n8
}
### END /etc/grub.d/20_memtest86+ ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/30_os-prober ###
menuentry "Windows 7 (loader) (on /dev/sda1) (recovery)" { ==> THIS IS 4
insmod ntfs
set root='(hd0,1)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 342444272443EA86
chainloader +1
}
menuentry "Windows 7 (loader) (on /dev/sdb1) (OS)" { ==> THIS IS 5
insmod ntfs
set root='(hd1,1)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 3C545A8F545A4BB0
chainloader +1
}
### END /etc/grub.d/30_os-prober ###

So, if you want to start your - let's say memtest86+ - as default, you change XX to 2.
A little google wouldn't have done any harm though... But since I think other people will wonder that as well, I thought it was best to post the solution while I have the time !

Obviously, don't fcuk this up. And if you do, you're on your own ! This is an extract from my own config file, yours may differ.

[davidefromgenoa]

hello everyone newbie to the forum
(but ive used backtrack for a while)

ive just installed backtrack 5 to hard drive and im wondering how i make it so when i turn on computer backtrack/ubuntu isnt my default boot up

i want it so windows vista is my default boot ( i no many off you will say dont use vista its a virus machine but i use vista alot more for certain programs)

so can anyone tell me how to make vista my default boot
thankyou for your help

you can use Super Grub Disk
read this http://www.supergrubdisk.org/

[shep100uk]

comax this is my grub
what number do i set default to
and thanks

#
# DO NOT EDIT THIS FILE
#
# It is automatically generated by /usr/sbin/grub-mkconfig using templates
# from /etc/grub.d and settings from /etc/default/grub
#

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/00_header ###
if [ -s $prefix/grubenv ]; then
load_env
fi
set default="0"
if [ ${prev_saved_entry} ]; then
set saved_entry=${prev_saved_entry}
save_env saved_entry
set prev_saved_entry=
save_env prev_saved_entry
set boot_once=true
fi

function savedefault {
if [ -z ${boot_once} ]; then
saved_entry=${chosen}
save_env saved_entry
fi
}

function recordfail {
set recordfail=1
if [ -n ${have_grubenv} ]; then if [ -z ${boot_once} ]; then save_env recordfail; fi; fi
}
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,5)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 4c5e0f82-74de-4f10-92f6-462f71112fd4
if loadfont /usr/share/grub/unicode.pf2 ; then
set gfxmode=1024x768
set gfxpayload=keep
insmod gfxterm
insmod vbe
if terminal_output gfxterm ; then true ; else
# For backward compatibility with versions of terminal.mod that don't
# understand terminal_output
terminal gfxterm
fi
fi
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,5)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 4c5e0f82-74de-4f10-92f6-462f71112fd4
set locale_dir=($root)/boot/grub/locale
set lang=en
insmod gettext
if [ ${recordfail} = 1 ]; then
set timeout=-1
else
set timeout=10
fi
### END /etc/grub.d/00_header ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/05_debian_theme ###
set menu_color_normal=white/black
set menu_color_highlight=black/light-gray
### END /etc/grub.d/05_debian_theme ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/10_linux ###
menuentry 'Ubuntu, with Linux 2.6.38' --class ubuntu --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
recordfail
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,5)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 4c5e0f82-74de-4f10-92f6-462f71112fd4
linux /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.38 root=UUID=4c5e0f82-74de-4f10-92f6-462f71112fd4 ro text splash nomodeset vga=791
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.38
}
menuentry 'Ubuntu, with Linux 2.6.38 (recovery mode)' --class ubuntu --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
recordfail
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,5)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 4c5e0f82-74de-4f10-92f6-462f71112fd4
echo 'Loading Linux 2.6.38 ...'
linux /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.38 root=UUID=4c5e0f82-74de-4f10-92f6-462f71112fd4 ro single
echo 'Loading initial ramdisk ...'
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.38
}
### END /etc/grub.d/10_linux ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/20_memtest86+ ###
menuentry "Memory test (memtest86+)" {
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,5)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 4c5e0f82-74de-4f10-92f6-462f71112fd4
linux16 /boot/memtest86+.bin
}
menuentry "Memory test (memtest86+, serial console 115200)" {
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,5)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 4c5e0f82-74de-4f10-92f6-462f71112fd4
linux16 /boot/memtest86+.bin console=ttyS0,115200n8
}
### END /etc/grub.d/20_memtest86+ ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/30_os-prober ###
menuentry "Windows Vista (loader) (on /dev/sda1)" {
insmod ntfs
set root='(hd0,1)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 18AEAFB9AEAF8DB6
chainloader +1
}
### END /etc/grub.d/30_os-prober ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/40_custom ###
# This file provides an easy way to add custom menu entries. Simply type the
# menu entries you want to add after this comment. Be careful not to change
# the 'exec tail' line above.
### END /etc/grub.d/40_custom ###

[reff67]

apt-get install startupmanager

After installation go System >> Administration >>StartUp-Manager and open it.

[Chinese]

you can order the grub menuentry following thist:

#
# DO NOT EDIT THIS FILE
#
# It is automatically generated by /usr/sbin/grub-mkconfig using templates
# from /etc/grub.d and settings from /etc/default/grub
#

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/00_header ###
if [ -s $prefix/grubenv ]; then
  load_env
fi
set default="0"
if [ ${prev_saved_entry} ]; then
  set saved_entry=${prev_saved_entry}
  save_env saved_entry
  set prev_saved_entry=
  save_env prev_saved_entry
  set boot_once=true
fi

function savedefault {
  if [ -z ${boot_once} ]; then
    saved_entry=${chosen}
    save_env saved_entry
  fi
}

function recordfail {
  set recordfail=1
  if [ -n ${have_grubenv} ]; then if [ -z ${boot_once} ]; then save_env recordfail; fi; fi
}
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,9)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set b4fe224a-99ca-4397-814a-3b4ea7da7332
if loadfont /usr/share/grub/unicode.pf2 ; then
  set gfxmode=1024x768
  set gfxpayload=keep
  insmod gfxterm
  insmod vbe
  if terminal_output gfxterm ; then true ; else
    # For backward compatibility with versions of terminal.mod that don't
    # understand terminal_output
    terminal gfxterm
  fi
fi
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,7)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set e12d23bd-f377-47d4-bdd6-b75d6caa0ee1
set locale_dir=($root)/grub/locale
set lang=en
insmod gettext
if [ ${recordfail} = 1 ]; then
  set timeout=-1
else
  set timeout=10
fi
### END /etc/grub.d/00_header ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/05_debian_theme ###
set menu_color_normal=white/black
set menu_color_highlight=black/light-gray
### END /etc/grub.d/05_debian_theme ###
menuentry "Windows 7 (loader) (on /dev/sda2)" {
	insmod ntfs
	set root='(hd0,2)'
	search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set E0121A131219EF72
	chainloader +1
}

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/10_linux ###
menuentry 'BackTrack 5, with Linux 2.6.38' --class ubuntu --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
	recordfail
	insmod ext2
	set root='(hd0,7)'
	search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set e12d23bd-f377-47d4-bdd6-b75d6caa0ee1
	linux	/vmlinuz-2.6.38 root=UUID=b4fe224a-99ca-4397-814a-3b4ea7da7332 ro   text splash nomodeset to i915.modeset=1
	initrd	/initrd.img-2.6.38
}

menuentry "Windows Vista (loader) (on /dev/sda1)" {
	insmod fat
	set root='(hd0,1)'
	search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 4ce5-3acb
	chainloader +1
}

menuentry 'BackTrack 5, with Linux 2.6.38 (recovery mode)' --class ubuntu --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
	recordfail
	insmod ext2
	set root='(hd0,7)'
	search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set e12d23bd-f377-47d4-bdd6-b75d6caa0ee1
	echo	'Loading Linux 2.6.38 ...'
	linux	/vmlinuz-2.6.38 root=UUID=b4fe224a-99ca-4397-814a-3b4ea7da7332 ro single 
	echo	'Loading initial ramdisk ...'
	initrd	/initrd.img-2.6.38
}
### END /etc/grub.d/10_linux ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/20_memtest86+ ###
menuentry "Memory test (memtest86+)" {
	insmod ext2
	set root='(hd0,7)'
	search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set e12d23bd-f377-47d4-bdd6-b75d6caa0ee1
	linux16	/memtest86+.bin
}
menuentry "Memory test (memtest86+, serial console 115200)" {
	insmod ext2
	set root='(hd0,7)'
	search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set e12d23bd-f377-47d4-bdd6-b75d6caa0ee1
	linux16	/memtest86+.bin console=ttyS0,115200n8
}
### END /etc/grub.d/20_memtest86+ ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/30_os-prober ###
### END /etc/grub.d/30_os-prober ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/40_custom ###
# This file provides an easy way to add custom menu entries.  Simply type the
# menu entries you want to add after this comment.  Be careful not to change
# the 'exec tail' line above.
### END /etc/grub.d/40_custom ###

[cgelici]

Like the file says. You should not edit grub.cfg because it is generated by other files. You have to go to /etc/grub.d/. You will find seveal files in there. To keep it short, 00 is header which should stay like so. 10-linux is the default linux partition (Backtrack 5), **-os-prober is the Windows partition.

Now, the files are read from 0 going up so all you need to do is rename the os-prober file to a number below 10 (which is the linux partition)
e.g. 05-os-prober

When done, run "update-grub"
And reboot

EDIT: Hmm I didnt read ComaX' post through, he is correct too, his way is probably easier.

[comaX]

Eheh =D
Works like a charm in deed !