Need help with GRUB boot loader

[DanHorniblow]

Hi

I have just installed a fresh copy of Ubuntu 9.04 which is dual booting with Windows XP Home Edition SP3

Currently the default OS in GRUB is Ubuntu, I need to change it to Windows.

HELP?

[Jonathan183]

You need to change default entry in the /boot/grub/menu.lst file ... see info in grub manual here. You can edit the file by opening a terminal and using the command

sudo nano /boot/grub/menu.lst

[linuxd]

Welcome
To make the change, you'll first have to boot into Ubuntu, and then run the following command:

sudo gedit /boot/grub/menu.lst

Find this section of the file:

## default num
# Set the default entry to the entry number NUM. Numbering starts from 0, and
# the entry number 0 is the default if the command is not used.
#
# You can specify 'saved' instead of a number. In this case, the default entry
# is the entry saved with the command 'savedefault'.
# WARNING: If you are using dmraid do not change this entry to 'saved' or your
# array will desync and will not let you boot your system.
default 0

The important line is the last one. You will need to change that number 0 to match the Windows boot section. Typically it's always going to be 4 on a default dual-boot configuration. Change this value to 4, and then save and reboot your machine. You should go into Windows instead of Ubuntu automatically.

Note: The blocks at the bottom of the file match the items in the menu. You can change this value to match whichever item you want as default, just remember that numbering starts at 0.
Have fun

[DanHorniblow]

lol I have made the change, now how do you save it. This is my first time using linux.

[linuxd]

after made the change
go to file> save
then close
after that restart your machine

[DanHorniblow]

save doesn't appear in the file menu

[linuxd]

Do you understand my suggetion perfectly?
After run the command in Applications>Accessories>terminal:

sudo gedit /boot/grub/menu.lst

a new script will be open.
after made changes, you have to save it by click the save button or under the file menu you can find SAVE option.

get it??
now reboot

[DanHorniblow]

The command you told me to use doesn't work i have been using the command the previous poster suggested

see my screenshot

[linuxd]

Then find the menu.lst script manually.
open the filesystem where ubuntu installed.
Click on the folder boot> grub > menu.lst

[DanHorniblow]

I have oped the file manualy and changed the number

but when I try to save it says i dont have the nessasary permisions

I am the only user account so i must be admin