Grub configuration...

Forum: HD Install
Topic: Grub configuration...
started by: apocalypse2012

Posted by apocalypse2012 on Oct. 29 2006,17:43

Help! I am a linux noob. I don't understand why I cant change this file from being write protected.

I need to edit this file to set dual boot...

Posted by sanskritkanji on Oct. 29 2006,20:47

You can try editing it as root, that may work.

Posted by sankarv on Nov. 14 2006,04:44

Google some pages for good grub conf files if necessary.

Inside DSL:

Goto root prompt as

sudo su

try

vi /boot/grub/menu.lst

and after editing you force save it by

:wq!

Hope this might work.

Posted by ChaosImp on Dec. 07 2006,00:16

What can I do, if _that_ does not work?

I installed DSL as frugal grub

Then I want to add the option "toram" in the grub config file /boot/grub/menu.lst

But if I try to save it, vi says that the file is write protected.

I tried to set chmod (of cause as root, like it descibed above) - does not work.

Everytime I get the message that it is a read-olny file system.

So please tell me, how it is possible for a linux noob, to edit the grub (or lilo) read-only config files?

Pls start at the verry first beginning. I just installed DSL as HD frugal with grub. And I want to edit the boot config.

THANKS!

Posted by ^thehatsrule^ on Dec. 07 2006,01:25

edit /cdrom/boot/grub/menu.lst

and :wq is only needed for write&quit

Posted by ChaosImp on Dec. 07 2006,08:49

now I'm really confused... (not tested yet)

but why /cdrom/... ?

thanks

Posted by ^thehatsrule^ on Dec. 07 2006,13:50

DSL's frugal installation is basically like a livecd session, so it just uses /cdrom which holds the dsl KNOPPIX image. Generally, if a frugal is installed on a i.e. hdd, the partition this is on will be made r-w. Of course if stage 2 grub is on that partition, then you're set to go.

Type `mount` to see what's mounted currently in your system.

Posted by flogsticator on Dec. 07 2006,17:47

First, the mandatory very silly suggestion : check you're trying to edit the right file on the right hd (and not, say, the file on the cdrom). It helps if the HD is mounted RW (read-write) and not RO (read-only). Oh, and NTFS partitions are somwhat difficult to write to. I should know :blush: .

Then : check the file's write permissions. Change them if necessary. Edit with vi, vim, nano, mcedit, whatever is installed and you prefer. You should be able to write as root on a write enabled file on a valid mounted HD (avoid NTFS partitions).

sudo su
Ok, should be root now.

ls -alFh /boot/grub/menu.lst

In the listing, rw_r means only the owner (and root) can edit it. Where _ can be anything (w or x, actually). In order to let any old putz edit it (bad idea) just : chmod uga+rw /boot/grub/menu.lst

rr__ means that even the owner can't edit it.

If that is the case, just change it with

chmod u+w /boot/grub/menu.lst

And try editing it, still as su.

You can drop back from su by using the command exit.

If that doesn't work, start looking for aliens ;) Just kidding. Keep at it. You'll win out, in the end.

Good luck.

Posted by ^thehatsrule^ on Dec. 07 2006,21:31

flogsticator: that's only for a traditional debian-style hd-install; I have assumed he is using a frugal since his fs is RO, so he can edit via /cdrom/boot

Posted by ChaosImp on Dec. 07 2006,23:23

right! I have a frugal hd install. The image (should) loaded to the ram (toram). But I can't add this parameter.

But I will try that, I can't do it right now, because I'm not home. Monday I'll do it and give a feedback.

Thanks for your help till now!