Stuck in Linux!

**Comrade** · 04-29-2005

I installed Linux....Debian Linux...version 2.2...

Yeah, I know it's an old version, but I wanted to get something running, and it was the only CD I had.

So I can access vi, emacs, Python, Perl, and all that other jazz.

I wanted to get back to Windows, but I couldn't! I made the emergency boot disks from PartitionMagic 8.0, but that's it. How do I get back to Windows!?

I know the files are there, I just can't boot into Windows.

I'm currently on a different computer - that one is too screwed up to use (Debian 2.2!?! What was I thinking!)

**budman7** · 04-29-2005

What error do you get when you try to boot into Windows?
Could you post what is in your menu.lst file, that is if you are using GRUB.
Or your Lilo.conf file, if you are using Lilo.

**Comrade** · 04-29-2005

Yeah, I just found out that Lilo is the key to getting back into Windows.
I don't get an error - I just can't find out how to get back into Windows.

So what should I change in my Lilo.conf file if I want to boot into Windows by default (I'm using Lilo)? Could someone post a sample file or something?

Help is greatly appreciated.

**budman7** · 04-29-2005

I am not sure if this will work or not. I am not familiar with Lilo or Debian.
Open up the file with your text editor, assuming you have nano, do this.
nano -w /boot/lilo/lilo.conf
Then add this
title Windows
root (hd0,0)
root or rootnoverify(pick one)
chainloader +1

Not sure if that will work in Lilo or not, but it will in Grub.
I hope Lilo works somewhat the same.
Hope this helps.

**Benny8909** · 04-29-2005

To add Windows to your lilo.conf, add

Code:

other=/dev/hda1  &#40;or whatever drive it is&#41;
label=Windows

Make sure you run lilo before rebooting

**LBmtb** · 04-29-2005

Where would the grub config file be? Mine boots fine but right now I choose "other" to boot into Windows XP.

**budman7** · 04-29-2005

Open a terminal, type "su" and enter your root password.
Then type "cd /boot/grub" ENTER
Then "ls" and look for either a grub.conf ormenu.lst
That is what you will edit.
Hope this helps.

**LBmtb** · 04-29-2005

Originally Posted by budman7

Open a terminal, type "su" and enter your root password.
Then type "cd /boot/grub" ENTER
Then "ls" and look for either a grub.conf ormenu.lst
That is what you will edit.
Hope this helps.

Worked like a charm. Thanks! (it was grub.conf btw)

**Comrade** · 04-29-2005

Originally Posted by Benny8909

To add Windows to your lilo.conf, add

Code:

other=/dev/hda1  &#40;or whatever drive it is&#41;
label=Windows

Make sure you run lilo before rebooting

O.K., I'll try that. When I reboot, what do I do to boot into Windows? Is there an option or something?

**Comrade** · 04-29-2005

Okay, my current Lilo.conf file looks like this (without the comments):

Code:

lba32
boot = /dev/hda
root = /dev/hda3
install = /boot/boot.b
map = /boot/map
delay = 20
vga = normal
default = Linux
image = /vmlinuz
label = Linux
read-only

image = /vmlinuz.old
label = LinuxOLD
read-only
optional
#####
other = /dev/hda1
label = HURD
restricted
alias = 3
#####

So I gather that the part that I put inside all the pound signs...

Code:

other = /dev/hda1
label = HURD
restricted
alias = 3

...should become...

Code:

other = /dev/hda1
label = Windows

...correct? And then I should change...

Code:

default = Linux

...to...

Code:

default = Windows

I think this will work. And to execute Lilo, all I do is type in 'lilo' when I'm in /etc?

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