13.3 Configuring the Boot Loader with YaST

The easiest way to configure the boot loader in your openSUSE system is to use the YaST module. In the YaST Control Center, select System > Boot Loader. As in Figure 13-1, this shows the current boot loader configuration of your system and allows you to make changes.

Figure 13-1 Boot Loader Settings

Use the Section Management tab to edit, change, and delete boot loader sections for the individual operating systems. To add an option, click Add. To change the value of an existing option, select it with the mouse and click Edit. To remove an existing entry, select it and click Delete. If you are not familiar with boot loader options, read Section 13.2, Booting with GRUB first.

Use the Boot Loader Installation tab to view and change settings related to type, location, and advanced loader settings.

Access advanced configuration options from the drop-down menu that opens after you click on Other. The build-in editor lets you change the GRUB configuration files (see Section 13.2, Booting with GRUB for details). You can also delete the existing configuration and Start from Scratch or let YaST Propose a New Configuration. It is also possible to write the configuration to disk or reread the configuration from the disk. To restore the original Master Boot Record that was saved during the installation, choose Restore MBR of Hard Disk.

13.3.1 Boot Loader Type

Set the boot loader type in Boot Loader Installation. The default boot loader in openSUSE is GRUB. To use LILO, proceed as follows:

Changing the Boot Loader Type

  1. Select the Boot Loader Installation tab.

  2. For Boot Loader, select LILO.

  3. In the dialog box that opens, select one of the following actions:

    Propose New Configuration

    Have YaST propose a new configuration.

    Convert Current Configuration

    Have YaST convert the current configuration. When converting the configuration, some settings may be lost.

    Start New Configuration from Scratch

    Write a custom configuration. This action is not available during the installation of openSUSE.

    Read Configuration Saved on Disk

    Load your own /etc/lilo.conf. This action is not available during the installation of openSUSE.

  4. Click OK to save the changes

  5. Click Finish in the main dialog to apply the changes.

During the conversion, the old GRUB configuration is saved to disk. To use it, simply change the boot loader type back to GRUB and choose Restore Configuration Saved before Conversion. This action is available only on an installed system.

NOTE: Custom Boot Loader

To use a boot loader other than GRUB or LILO, select Do Not Install Any Boot Loader. Read the documentation of your boot loader carefully before choosing this option.

13.3.2 Boot Loader Location

To change the location of the boot loader, follow these steps:

Changing the Boot Loader Location

  1. Select the Boot Loader Installation tab then select one of the following options for Boot Loader Location:

    Boot from Boot Partition

    The boot sector of the /boot partition.

    Boot from Extended Partition

    This installs the boot loader in the extended partition container.

    Boot from Master Boot Record

    This installs the boot loader in the MBR of the first disk (according to the boot sequence preset in the BIOS).

    Boot from Root Partition

    This installs the boot loader in the boot sector of the / partition.

    Custom Boot Partition

    Use this option to specify the location of the boot loader manually.

  2. Click Finish to apply your changes.

13.3.3 Default System

To change the system that is booted by default, proceed as follows:

Setting the Default System

  1. Open the Section Management tab.

  2. Select the desired entry from the list.

  3. Click Set as Default.

  4. Click Finish to activate these changes.

13.3.4 Boot Loader Time-Out

The boot loader does not boot the default system immediately. During the time-out, you can select the system to boot or write some kernel parameters. To set the boot loader time-out, proceed as follows:

Changing the Boot Loader Time-Out

  1. Open the Boot Loader Installation tab.

  2. Click Boot Loader Options.

  3. Change the value of Timeout in Seconds by typing in a new value, clicking the appropriate arrow key with your mouse, or by using the arrow keys on the keyboard.

  4. Click OK.

  5. Click Finish to save the changes.

13.3.5 Security Settings

Using this YaST module, you can also set a password to protect booting. This gives you an additional level of security.

Setting a Boot Loader Password

  1. Open the Boot Loader Installation tab.

  2. Click Boot Loader Options.

  3. Set your password in Password for the Menu Interface.

  4. Click OK.

  5. Click Finish to save the changes.