Install Linux and set Windows as default

Q I have installed Ubuntu from the Ultimate Guide to Linux cover disc but want to have Windows set as the default option in the list that appears when the computer starts.
Steve Ost

A This is a relatively simple change to make. Start Ubuntu as normal. Click on Applications, Accessories and then Terminal. Type sudo gedit /boot/grub/menu.lst

This will load a text editor with the settings used to set up the menu. If you read it carefully there are plenty of instructions included in the text. Any line beginning with a # is meant for human consumption. The top option, default, is selected when the menu appears.

It starts counting from 0 not 1 in the list that starts after the line ## ## End Default Options ## ## . Count the number of lines starting with title (including the one title Other operating systems: ) and replace 0 with this number. It will probably be the fifth option, so replace 0 with 4. The timeout setting is the number of seconds that the menu will wait for you to press a key.

Alternatively cut and paste the text from title Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition to make active to just below the heading ##End Default Options##. This will make Windows the first option and leave that as the default. Be careful not to change any other text or the gboot menu may not work properly.