How do I configure GRUB (Linux) so I can choose between XP and Suse?

Question

I had XP before. Last night I decided to install Linux. So i did and it works. The problem is that when the computer starts, I do not get the chance to choose between XP and Suse. It uses GRUB directly without letting me choose anything. It goes straight to Suse where I have to choose between Suse, Floppy and Safe start of Suse.

The problem that I have is that I can find grub.conf but I can't open it so i can modify it. It says "Couldn't display 'filename'". It also says "Can't display location" as the error window title.

Answer 1

Since Suse didn't set it up properly during install you will have to edit your grub.conf file manually. It should be in the /etc/ directory with root only permissions.

you should just need to add a line similar to:

title Windows XP
rootnoverify (hd0,0)
chainloader +1
the hd0,0 means hard drive 0 (C: drive usually) partition 1, if you partitioned it differently and your Linux partitions are different, you will need to change that second value. The title can be changed to whatever you want.

Are you trying to edit it as root? That might explain the errors you are seeing.

Also, if you are still having troubles as root, make sure you are using GRUB, you may be using LILO. You should be able to set it up similarly, but I'm not sure about the syntax there.