Restore vista boot menu/list

English Install/Boot/Login
#1

hi i am new to Linux and i just installed SUSE 11.1

Im dual booting it with vista and it works but it makes vista really slow on start up.but my main problem is that i want to use the vista boot loader thing(the one u choose to boot with vista,xp or Linux)instead of the SUSE one and make vista the default.

thanks look forward to using open suse.

#2

To make Vista the default you don’t have to switch the bootloader.

Stick with GRUB and make Vista the default (can be done easily via YaST => System => Bootloader) with one click.

Slowing down vista is certainly not an issue caused by dual booting with openSUSE.

#3

You will need to restore the Vista bootmanager using the Vista DVD or check here
How to use the Bootrec.exe tool in the Windows Recovery Environment to troubleshoot and repair startup issues in Windows Vista

Were you referring to this option?
Download EasyBCD 1.7.2 - NeoSmart Technologies

Having said that. There is no reason why using grub should cause Vista to run slowly.
Have you changed any settings in Vista related to virtual memory (pagefile)?

Edit: Caution. To changing the Boot order in Yast as suggested by @Akoellh. Unless you are Updated fully, don’t do it!! Update Suse fully first. There was a bug in the release which can cause you to screw up the bootloader. Once updated - fine

#4

thanks heaps it.

after a few reboots vista seems to be fine again very random.

#5

Although I didn’t experience any problems even directly after installing 11.1, here the “always safe” way without using YaST:

  • open /boot/grub/menu.lst with a text editor as root (i.e “kdesu kate /boot/grub/menu.lst” for KDE)

  • search for the line starting with “default”

  • change the value to the right number, by counting the available boot entries (every one will start with a line “title”) starting from 0 (so if Vista is the 3rd entry, the right number would be 2).

  • save file and you’re done

#6

menu.lst edit - always my choice. But as you say, I trial ran mishaps in a VM to see if I could repeat them, but I have to say, I put most of the problems users experience down to USER error.

#7

It is also the way to change something small which does not require to reinstall grub (which the YaST bootloader module always does on close).