Blank menu.lst file after installing Ubuntu9.10

I just installed Ubuntu 9.10 on my PC. I have Windows XP as the primary OS.

I am trying to set XP as the default OS with the following command in terminal:

sudo gedit /boot/grub/menu.lst

After that it should display something like this:

enter image description here

Instead it is showing a blank menu.lst file.

What's the problem? What should I do?

ravi

Posted 2009-11-09T14:38:28.253

Reputation: 227

This question could have some answers for you (though not a duplicate): http://superuser.com/questions/50684/how-to-fix-grub-after-windows-breaks-it-and-how-to-edit-the-grub-menu

– Gnoupi – 2009-11-09T14:47:54.103

("this question can have answers for you"... always a strange thing to say :]) – Gnoupi – 2009-11-09T14:48:33.507

@ Gnoupi Nothing helpful.My problem is different – ravi – 2009-11-09T14:49:14.320

nope. ubuntu 9.10 has switched to Grub2 which is just different. no menu.lst anymore. maybe look for a grub.cfg or similar? i haven't installed it yet so i can't tell you how to fix. :-/ – quack quixote – 2009-11-09T14:53:25.997

I thought that one of the given commands to re-setup it would as well regenerate the menu.lst, pity. – Gnoupi – 2009-11-09T14:53:31.817

@quack, then that explains the "empty" file, it's just not existing yet. Post it as answer, I think. – Gnoupi – 2009-11-09T14:54:19.257

Answers

As the comments point out the new Grub is just setup differently. Now you'll want to make your personalized settings changes in the file: /etc/default/grub

At a terminal:

sudo gedit /etc/default/grub

Now you can change the relevant setting (just like the settings you were accustomed to in the previous version).

More information can be found at this helpful thread: Grub 2 Basics

Also take note of the section talking about the files contained in: /etc/grub.d/

codeLes

Posted 2009-11-09T14:38:28.253

Reputation: 1 772

3Oh the joys of getting used to the new syntax of newer version of a bootloader. – Sathyajith Bhat – 2009-11-09T18:49:56.510

I hear ya, I didn't even know about this until researching this question... the custom file thing is a bit archaic in my eyes... but we're sure to see some helpful config tools built around this... the joy of F/OSS! – codeLes – 2009-11-09T21:22:01.523

1thanks for the info, codeLes, my searches hadn't managed to turn up a handy link like that one. – quack quixote – 2009-11-10T00:12:49.357

+1 Thanks for the link.But I was too lazy to read it and in the meantime I found the exact answer.(See my answer) – ravi – 2009-11-10T01:25:11.497

@ravi: I guess I should have given a bit more info, I think the answer still fits the context of your question... I'll just organize it a little better... – codeLes – 2009-11-10T01:32:55.400

Following is the exact answer (worked for me perfectly):

Run following command

sudo gedit /etc/default/grub

change GRUB__DEFAULT=0 to 4

And then without forget run following command :

sudo update-grub

This will update the grub.

And you are done.

(Found this on this thread)

ravi

Posted 2009-11-09T14:38:28.253

Reputation: 227