Within Ubuntu
Copy this line into the terminal and press enter, it will back up your menu.lst and you can use the backup to restore your default settings.
Code:
sudo cp /boot/grub/menu.lst /boot/grub/menu.lst_backup
Edit the menu.lst file with one of the following commands (depending on what version of Ubuntu you're using):
Ubuntu
Code:
gksudo gedit /boot/grub/menu.lst
Kubuntu
Code:
kdesu kate /boot/grub/menu.lst
Xubuntu
Code:
gksudo mousepad /boot/grub/menu.lst
Find this line in the document that was just opened, it will read like this:
Code:
## default num
# Set the default entry to the entry number NUM. Numbering starts from 0, and
# the entry number 0 is the default if the command is not used.
...
default 0
...
Replace the 0 with the number on the startup list corresponding to the option you want, counting from 0. For example, if you have a list like this one and want to change to Windows XP Home:
Code:
title Ubuntu, kernel 2.6.15-27-amd64-generic
...
title Ubuntu, memtest86+
...
title Other operating systems:
...
title Microsoft Windows XP Home
...you would change the number to 3. It is important to note that each lines such as "Other Operating Systems" should be counted as well.
Save the edited file