Grub 2 Basics

[drs305]

Surprisingly it made a difference when I added the lines to 00_header with the lines: ...

In the guide however it's said that when a custom (not-standard) script is used these lines (cat << EOF, EOF) should not be added because these scritps are added automaticly to grub.cfg (in my case othergrub.cfg).

Glad you now have what you want woking. I think the determination on "CAT" usage rests on which file(s) you are working with. In a custom script non-commented lines are copied in their entirety. The 00_header file is not completely copied, so if you add any extra lines you need to specify them for export.

Happy Ubuntu-ing !

[dheianevans]

Just did the update from 10.10 to 11.04 on my desktop.

Win7 was the default OS. When I rebooted after the install, 11.04 was the default. I changed that back to Win7 with Start-Up Manager.

Rebooted. 11.04 was still the default. Why is it ignoring the default? Thanks for any advice.

grub-install (GRUB) 1.99~rc1-13ubuntu3

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/00_header ###
if [ -s $prefix/grubenv ]; then
  set have_grubenv=true
  load_env
fi
set default="8"
if [ "${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
}

function load_video {
  insmod vbe
  insmod vga
  insmod video_bochs
  insmod video_cirrus
}

insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='(/dev/sda,msdos3)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root c7de2b12-ec17-40a9-982f-e2a34cfb7d9e
if loadfont /usr/share/grub/unicode.pf2 ; then
set gfxmode=640x480
  load_video
  insmod gfxterm
fi
terminal_output gfxterm
insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='(/dev/sda,msdos3)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root c7de2b12-ec17-40a9-982f-e2a34cfb7d9e
set locale_dir=($root)/boot/grub/locale
set lang=en_CA
insmod gettext
if [ "${recordfail}" = 1 ]; then
  set timeout=-1
else
  set timeout=20
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 ###
if [ ${recordfail} != 1 ]; then
  if [ -e ${prefix}/gfxblacklist.txt ]; then
    if hwmatch ${prefix}/gfxblacklist.txt 3; then
      if [ ${match} = 0 ]; then
        set linux_gfx_mode=keep
      else
        set linux_gfx_mode=text
      fi
    else
      set linux_gfx_mode=text
    fi
  else
    set linux_gfx_mode=keep
  fi
else
  set linux_gfx_mode=text
fi
export linux_gfx_mode
if [ "$linux_gfx_mode" != "text" ]; then load_video; fi
menuentry 'Ubuntu, with Linux 2.6.38-14-generic' --class ubuntu --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
    recordfail
    set gfxpayload=$linux_gfx_mode
    insmod part_msdos
    insmod ext2
    set root='(/dev/sda,msdos3)'
    search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root c7de2b12-ec17-40a9-982f-e2a34cfb7d9e
    linux    /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.38-14-generic root=UUID=c7de2b12-ec17-40a9-982f-e2a34cfb7d9e ro  splash vga=769  quiet splash vt.handoff=7
    initrd    /boot/initrd.img-2.6.38-14-generic
}
menuentry 'Ubuntu, with Linux 2.6.38-14-generic (recovery mode)' --class ubuntu --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
    recordfail
    set gfxpayload=$linux_gfx_mode
    insmod part_msdos
    insmod ext2
    set root='(/dev/sda,msdos3)'
    search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root c7de2b12-ec17-40a9-982f-e2a34cfb7d9e
    echo    'Loading Linux 2.6.38-14-generic ...'
    linux    /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.38-14-generic root=UUID=c7de2b12-ec17-40a9-982f-e2a34cfb7d9e ro single  splash vga=769
    echo    'Loading initial ramdisk ...'
    initrd    /boot/initrd.img-2.6.38-14-generic
}
submenu "Previous Linux versions" {
menuentry 'Ubuntu, with Linux 2.6.35-32-generic' --class ubuntu --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
    recordfail
    set gfxpayload=$linux_gfx_mode
    insmod part_msdos
    insmod ext2
    set root='(/dev/sda,msdos3)'
    search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root c7de2b12-ec17-40a9-982f-e2a34cfb7d9e
    linux    /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.35-32-generic root=UUID=c7de2b12-ec17-40a9-982f-e2a34cfb7d9e ro  splash vga=769  quiet splash vt.handoff=7
    initrd    /boot/initrd.img-2.6.35-32-generic
}
menuentry 'Ubuntu, with Linux 2.6.35-32-generic (recovery mode)' --class ubuntu --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
    recordfail
    set gfxpayload=$linux_gfx_mode
    insmod part_msdos
    insmod ext2
    set root='(/dev/sda,msdos3)'
    search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root c7de2b12-ec17-40a9-982f-e2a34cfb7d9e
    echo    'Loading Linux 2.6.35-32-generic ...'
    linux    /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.35-32-generic root=UUID=c7de2b12-ec17-40a9-982f-e2a34cfb7d9e ro single  splash vga=769
    echo    'Loading initial ramdisk ...'
    initrd    /boot/initrd.img-2.6.35-32-generic
}
menuentry 'Ubuntu, with Linux 2.6.35-30-generic' --class ubuntu --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
    recordfail
    set gfxpayload=$linux_gfx_mode
    insmod part_msdos
    insmod ext2
    set root='(/dev/sda,msdos3)'
    search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root c7de2b12-ec17-40a9-982f-e2a34cfb7d9e
    linux    /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.35-30-generic root=UUID=c7de2b12-ec17-40a9-982f-e2a34cfb7d9e ro  splash vga=769  quiet splash vt.handoff=7
    initrd    /boot/initrd.img-2.6.35-30-generic
}
menuentry 'Ubuntu, with Linux 2.6.35-30-generic (recovery mode)' --class ubuntu --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
    recordfail
    set gfxpayload=$linux_gfx_mode
    insmod part_msdos
    insmod ext2
    set root='(/dev/sda,msdos3)'
    search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root c7de2b12-ec17-40a9-982f-e2a34cfb7d9e
    echo    'Loading Linux 2.6.35-30-generic ...'
    linux    /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.35-30-generic root=UUID=c7de2b12-ec17-40a9-982f-e2a34cfb7d9e ro single  splash vga=769
    echo    'Loading initial ramdisk ...'
    initrd    /boot/initrd.img-2.6.35-30-generic
}
}
### END /etc/grub.d/10_linux ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/20_linux_xen ###
### END /etc/grub.d/20_linux_xen ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/20_memtest86+ ###
menuentry "Memory test (memtest86+)" {
    insmod part_msdos
    insmod ext2
    set root='(/dev/sda,msdos3)'
    search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root c7de2b12-ec17-40a9-982f-e2a34cfb7d9e
    linux16    /boot/memtest86+.bin
}
menuentry "Memory test (memtest86+, serial console 115200)" {
    insmod part_msdos
    insmod ext2
    set root='(/dev/sda,msdos3)'
    search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root c7de2b12-ec17-40a9-982f-e2a34cfb7d9e
    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/sdb1)" --class windows --class os {
    insmod part_msdos
    insmod ntfs
    set root='(/dev/sdb,msdos1)'
    search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 88F22069F2205E26
    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 ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/41_custom ###
if [ -f  $prefix/custom.cfg ]; then
  source $prefix/custom.cfg;
fi
### END /etc/grub.d/41_custom ###

[drs305]

Just did the update from 10.10 to 11.04 on my desktop.

Win7 was the default OS. When I rebooted after the install, 11.04 was the default. I changed that back to Win7 with Start-Up Manager.

Rebooted. 11.04 was still the default. Why is it ignoring the default? Thanks for any advice.

The default is set to 8. I believe it should be (EDIT) 6 5, but my counting may be off. If Grub can't boot the desired menuentry number it will attempt to boot one of the main selections, which is why it is probably booting your Ubuntu OS.

A more reliable way to set the default is to use the actual menuentry title rather than a number. In this case, you most likely want in /etc/default/grub:

GRUB_DEFAULT="Windows 7 (loader) (on /dev/sdb1)"

Don't forget to run "sudo update-grub" after saving the change.

Note: I added "Code" tags to your post. You add them when creating a post by pressing the # icon in the post's menu and then pasting the content between the tags.

[Cavsfan]

Just did the update from 10.10 to 11.04 on my desktop.

Win7 was the default OS. When I rebooted after the install, 11.04 was the default. I changed that back to Win7 with Start-Up Manager.

Rebooted. 11.04 was still the default. Why is it ignoring the default? Thanks for any advice.

grub-install (GRUB) 1.99~rc1-13ubuntu3

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/00_header ###
if [ -s $prefix/grubenv ]; then
  set have_grubenv=true
  load_env
fi
set default="8"
if [ "${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
}

function load_video {
  insmod vbe
  insmod vga
  insmod video_bochs
  insmod video_cirrus
}

insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='(/dev/sda,msdos3)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root c7de2b12-ec17-40a9-982f-e2a34cfb7d9e
if loadfont /usr/share/grub/unicode.pf2 ; then
set gfxmode=640x480
  load_video
  insmod gfxterm
fi
terminal_output gfxterm
insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='(/dev/sda,msdos3)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root c7de2b12-ec17-40a9-982f-e2a34cfb7d9e
set locale_dir=($root)/boot/grub/locale
set lang=en_CA
insmod gettext
if [ "${recordfail}" = 1 ]; then
  set timeout=-1
else
  set timeout=20
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 ###
if [ ${recordfail} != 1 ]; then
  if [ -e ${prefix}/gfxblacklist.txt ]; then
    if hwmatch ${prefix}/gfxblacklist.txt 3; then
      if [ ${match} = 0 ]; then
        set linux_gfx_mode=keep
      else
        set linux_gfx_mode=text
      fi
    else
      set linux_gfx_mode=text
    fi
  else
    set linux_gfx_mode=keep
  fi
else
  set linux_gfx_mode=text
fi
export linux_gfx_mode
if [ "$linux_gfx_mode" != "text" ]; then load_video; fi
menuentry 'Ubuntu, with Linux 2.6.38-14-generic' --class ubuntu --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
    recordfail
    set gfxpayload=$linux_gfx_mode
    insmod part_msdos
    insmod ext2
    set root='(/dev/sda,msdos3)'
    search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root c7de2b12-ec17-40a9-982f-e2a34cfb7d9e
    linux    /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.38-14-generic root=UUID=c7de2b12-ec17-40a9-982f-e2a34cfb7d9e ro  splash vga=769  quiet splash vt.handoff=7
    initrd    /boot/initrd.img-2.6.38-14-generic
}
menuentry 'Ubuntu, with Linux 2.6.38-14-generic (recovery mode)' --class ubuntu --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
    recordfail
    set gfxpayload=$linux_gfx_mode
    insmod part_msdos
    insmod ext2
    set root='(/dev/sda,msdos3)'
    search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root c7de2b12-ec17-40a9-982f-e2a34cfb7d9e
    echo    'Loading Linux 2.6.38-14-generic ...'
    linux    /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.38-14-generic root=UUID=c7de2b12-ec17-40a9-982f-e2a34cfb7d9e ro single  splash vga=769
    echo    'Loading initial ramdisk ...'
    initrd    /boot/initrd.img-2.6.38-14-generic
}
submenu "Previous Linux versions" {
menuentry 'Ubuntu, with Linux 2.6.35-32-generic' --class ubuntu --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
    recordfail
    set gfxpayload=$linux_gfx_mode
    insmod part_msdos
    insmod ext2
    set root='(/dev/sda,msdos3)'
    search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root c7de2b12-ec17-40a9-982f-e2a34cfb7d9e
    linux    /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.35-32-generic root=UUID=c7de2b12-ec17-40a9-982f-e2a34cfb7d9e ro  splash vga=769  quiet splash vt.handoff=7
    initrd    /boot/initrd.img-2.6.35-32-generic
}
menuentry 'Ubuntu, with Linux 2.6.35-32-generic (recovery mode)' --class ubuntu --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
    recordfail
    set gfxpayload=$linux_gfx_mode
    insmod part_msdos
    insmod ext2
    set root='(/dev/sda,msdos3)'
    search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root c7de2b12-ec17-40a9-982f-e2a34cfb7d9e
    echo    'Loading Linux 2.6.35-32-generic ...'
    linux    /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.35-32-generic root=UUID=c7de2b12-ec17-40a9-982f-e2a34cfb7d9e ro single  splash vga=769
    echo    'Loading initial ramdisk ...'
    initrd    /boot/initrd.img-2.6.35-32-generic
}
menuentry 'Ubuntu, with Linux 2.6.35-30-generic' --class ubuntu --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
    recordfail
    set gfxpayload=$linux_gfx_mode
    insmod part_msdos
    insmod ext2
    set root='(/dev/sda,msdos3)'
    search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root c7de2b12-ec17-40a9-982f-e2a34cfb7d9e
    linux    /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.35-30-generic root=UUID=c7de2b12-ec17-40a9-982f-e2a34cfb7d9e ro  splash vga=769  quiet splash vt.handoff=7
    initrd    /boot/initrd.img-2.6.35-30-generic
}
menuentry 'Ubuntu, with Linux 2.6.35-30-generic (recovery mode)' --class ubuntu --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
    recordfail
    set gfxpayload=$linux_gfx_mode
    insmod part_msdos
    insmod ext2
    set root='(/dev/sda,msdos3)'
    search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root c7de2b12-ec17-40a9-982f-e2a34cfb7d9e
    echo    'Loading Linux 2.6.35-30-generic ...'
    linux    /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.35-30-generic root=UUID=c7de2b12-ec17-40a9-982f-e2a34cfb7d9e ro single  splash vga=769
    echo    'Loading initial ramdisk ...'
    initrd    /boot/initrd.img-2.6.35-30-generic
}
}
### END /etc/grub.d/10_linux ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/20_linux_xen ###
### END /etc/grub.d/20_linux_xen ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/20_memtest86+ ###
menuentry "Memory test (memtest86+)" {
    insmod part_msdos
    insmod ext2
    set root='(/dev/sda,msdos3)'
    search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root c7de2b12-ec17-40a9-982f-e2a34cfb7d9e
    linux16    /boot/memtest86+.bin
}
menuentry "Memory test (memtest86+, serial console 115200)" {
    insmod part_msdos
    insmod ext2
    set root='(/dev/sda,msdos3)'
    search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root c7de2b12-ec17-40a9-982f-e2a34cfb7d9e
    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/sdb1)" --class windows --class os {
    insmod part_msdos
    insmod ntfs
    set root='(/dev/sdb,msdos1)'
    search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 88F22069F2205E26
    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 ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/41_custom ###
if [ -f  $prefix/custom.cfg ]; then
  source $prefix/custom.cfg;
fi
### END /etc/grub.d/41_custom ###

EDIT: drs305, I counted 9 menuentry lines, so 8 would appear to be correct.

One suggestion would be to use the HOWTO in my signature. It customizes the background screen and you never have to mess with
changing the default line number of the OS you want as default.

I just have 3 entries on my Grub2 screen: Lucid Lynx, Lucid Lynx Recovery and Windows 7.
There are several examples at the bottom of the 1st page.
My current and latest is posted on post 105 of the HOWTO.
You can have different color fonts too.

[drs305]

EDIT: drs305, I counted 9 menuentry lines, so 8 would appear to be correct.

One suggestion would be to use the HOWTO in my signature. It customizes the background screen and you never have to mess with
changing the default line number of the OS you want as default.

I just have 3 entries on my Grub2 screen: Lucid Lynx, Lucid Lynx Recovery and Windows 7.
There are several examples at the bottom of the 1st page.
My current and latest is posted on post 105 of the HOWTO.
You can have different color fonts too.

Actually, I think we are both incorrect. My guess is now 5, since I forget to start at 0. The confusion is due to the submenu feature. Only the entries on the main page count if you are going to use a single number. So what is displayed on the main menu currently is:

0 Ubuntu, with Linux 2.6.38-14-generic
1 Ubuntu, with Linux 2.6.38-14-generic (recovery mode)
2 Previous Linux versions
3 Memory test (memtest86+)
4 Memory test (memtest86+, serial console 115200)
5 Windows 7 (loader) (on /dev/sdb1)

For more on submenus, see this guide I wrote:
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?p=10720316

[Cavsfan]

You know way more than I do about Grub2. I thought you might be out of town or something, so I thought I would mention
my tutorial as I too did not like having to edit the default line every time a kernel got added.

[drs305]

You know way more than I do about Grub2. I thought you might be out of town or something, so I thought I would mention
my tutorial as I too did not like having to edit the default line every time a kernel got added.

I'll be gone for two weeks starting tomorrow, so hopefully dheianevans will resolve this before then. Of course, there are plenty of others, such as you, who can help as well.

[dheianevans]

Hi guys...I'll try changing the default line as you suggested and get back to you.

UPDATE: it worked. Thanks

[Cavsfan]

Hi guys...I'll try changing the default line as you suggested and get back to you.

UPDATE: it worked. Thanks

Glad to hear you got it fixed!

[pdlethbridge]

I have ubuntu,lubuntu,and mint on 6 20 gig particians and have room for more butI've had problems with grub recognizining all the diferent activ partitions of which at this time 3 are actual partician and the others are part of the extended partician