Changing the Boot Sequence

Support knowledgebase (another_os_booten)
Applies to

SuSE Linux: All versions

Situation

You want Windows to appear at the first place in the boot menu so it is booted as the default option.

Procedure for LILO (default up to SuSE Linux 8.0)

To change the default boot option, edit the file: 
	 /etc/lilo.conf
To do this, open a console and enter: 
	su -

to perform changes as the root user.

Now run: 
	pico -w /etc/lilo.conf

to edit the file.

Insert the line:

	default=windows
to start Windows as the default operating system. Refer to the following file sample: 
	# LILO configuration file
	# Start LILO global section
	# To prevent console users from booting with init=/bin/bash,
	#  restrict usage of boot params by setting a password and using the option
	#  restricted.
	#password=bootpwd
	#restricted
	boot=/dev/hda
	#compact       # faster, but won't work on all systems.
	vga = normal   # force sane state
	menu-scheme=Wg:kw:Wg:Wg
	read-only
	prompt
	timeout=100
	default=windows
	# End LILO global Section

	#
	image = /boot/vmlinuz
	  root = /dev/hda6
	  label = linux
	  initrd = /boot/initrd	

	#
        other = /dev/hda1
          label = windows
The entry must match the label.

After entering the data, save the file (with CTRL x) and update LILO with the recent changes by executing, as root:

        lilo

Procedure for GRUB (from SuSE Linux 8.1 on)

The easiest way to set a kernel version or a different operating system as the default option is with the YaST Control Center.

The dialog "Boot Loader configuration" in YaST Control Center's category 'System' enables you to change the boot manager configuration. After checking "Change current configuration", select what operating system to use as the default boot option in the subsequent steps.

Alternatively, SuSE 8.1 provides the opportunity to edit the configuration in expert mode. In this approach, the configuration file of the boot manager can be edited interactively. The setup in expert mode looks like this:

gfxmenu (hd0,0)/message
color white/blue black/light-gray
default 0
timeout 8

title linux
    kernel (hd0,0)/vmlinuz root=/dev/hda3 vga=791 
    initrd (hd0,0)/initrd

title windows
   root (hd0,0)
   makeactive
   chainloader +1

title floppy
    root (fd0)
    chainloader +1

title failsafe
    kernel (hd0,0)/vmlinuz.shipped root=/dev/hda3 ide=nodma apm=off acpi=off vga=normal nosmp maxcpus=0 disableapic 3
    initrd (hd0,0)/initrd.shipped
First, the layout is set in the configuration file by means of: 
	gfxmenu (hd0,0)/message
	color white/blue black/light-gray

In the next line, what kernel or operating system must be booted. The current entry reads:

	default 0
This boots the first title entry (i.e., title linux). By changing this to 
	default 1

the section title linux would no longer be booted by default, but the next operating system with title windows.

See also:
o The Boot Manager Grub
o Uninstalling the Boot Manager GRUB from the MBR
o Replacing the Boot Loader GRUB with LILO in SuSE 8.1
o Booting an Installed System
o Creating a Graphical Boot Menu (SuSE Linux 7.2)
o Meanings of LILO-Bootentries
o Linux on 1024 cylinder
Keywords: LILO, WINDOWS, BOOT, OS, FIRST, DEFAULT, GRUB
Categories: Booting
SDB-another_os_booten, Copyright SuSE Linux AG, Nürnberg, Germany - Version: 03. Mar 2003
SuSE Linux AG - Last generated: 28. Mar 2003 by afaber (sdb_gen 1.40.0)