Can a Windows / Linux dual boot be set to boot Windows first?

Novell Cool Solutions: Tip
By Joe Harmon

Digg This - Slashdot This Posted: 18 May 2005

Important: It is assumed here that you installed Novell Linux Desktop 9 or SUSE Linux Professional 9.3 after Windows and that you are using grub as your boot loader.

Note: Even though this procedure was done under Novell Linux Desktop 9, it is the same procedure for SUSE Linux Professional 9.3.

• Launch Yast2 and go to System | Boot Loader Configuration. Go down to Available Sections and click Edit.

  
  

• Highlight the Windows section and click the Set as Default button. If you want to move it up in the list, you can click the up button to make it first in the list. Click OK to finish and then restart your computer. Once you get to the boot screen you should see the new changes.

  
  

Reader Comments

• This does not work as I have tried it with an existing Windows 2000 install and adding Novell desktop 9. This was done on a current model IBM Thinkpad *stinkpad I mean* on a resized partition. The issue is this--if you've used more than the first 1024 sectors (8.5GB) or more for the Windows install, and your bios does not support LBA addressing for hard disks (as apparently this IBM does not), you wind up with a broken MBR, and unless you know what you are doing, a lost Windows OS. Luckily, I do know what I am doing and was able to restore my Windows MBR. Be careful out there! Best to either backup all necessary data first or better yet use a drive you won't miss data on for a possible dual boot.

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