can't change settings in ubuntu 9.10

[Povar81]

I'm a beginner in linux so far, and after installing ubuntu 9.10 I have encountered several problems:
1. I'd like windows to load by default - I've installed bootup manager and changed settings there - but it didn't change anything: when I boot up ubuntu is still by default.
2. Futhermore, the changes I make in System-Administration-NVIDIA X server settings are don't work either, and I have to change them back after every rebooting.
3. I don't really like the display settings, but I don't know how to change them correctly - by default, the system boots up in max. resolution (1280x1024), but it's not convinient for me - I change to 1024x768, but it looks worse, a bit, emm..., unclear, nondistinct.

Please help me, especially with the first problem - is there some alternative utility or something?
Thank you.

[SeanBest]

Here is a solution to your first problem -

http://digitalpbk.com/2009/11/changing-default-boot-os-grub-ubuntu-910

Just need to change the GRUB_DEFAULT value to the OS you want as default.

Make sure you run update-grub afterwards or the change won't take affect.

As for your second problem I'm not sure, but I would guess maybe your not using root access to make the change permanently (really not sure just a guess).

[curtis1552]

I've got the solution to the second:
There's an issue with permissions on the xserver settings, you need to run:

sudo nvidia-xconfig
sudo nvidia-settings

[Stratus_ss]

I've got the solution to the second:
There's an issue with permissions on the xserver settings, you need to run:

sudo nvidia-xconfig
sudo nvidia-settings


Technically it should be just


gksudo nvidia-settings


because the Nvidia settings manager is gui based, gksudo should be used.

Other then that Curtis is right on the ball. The computer needs elevated permissions to write to the file that controls the resolution. So it will do a temporary fix but since the file itself isnt being changed, that explains why the changes dont persist through a reboot

[Povar81]

Here is a solution to your first problem -

http://digitalpbk.com/2009/11/changing-default-boot-os-grub-ubuntu-910

Just need to change the GRUB_DEFAULT value to the OS you want as default.

Make sure you run update-grub afterwards or the change won't take affect.

As for your second problem I'm not sure, but I would guess maybe your not using root access to make the change permanently (really not sure just a guess).
That's shocking but when I opened the file - windows (4 - Custom OS) was ALREADY SET there! Just like it is indicated in bootup manager - and it doesn't work.
Here's the list of my actions:
povar@povar-desktop:~$ sudo su
[sudo] password for povar:
root@povar-desktop:/home/povar# gedit /etc/default/grub
root@povar-desktop:/home/povar# update-grub
Searching for GRUB installation directory ... found: /boot/grub
Searching for default file ... found: /boot/grub/default
Testing for an existing GRUB menu.lst file ...

Could not find /boot/grub/menu.lst file. Would you like /boot/grub/menu.lst generated for you? (y/N) y
Searching for splash image ... none found, skipping ...
Found GRUB 2: /boot/grub/core.img
Found kernel: /boot/memtest86+.bin
Found kernel: /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.31-16-generic
Found kernel: /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.31-14-generic
Found GRUB 2: /boot/grub/core.img
Found kernel: /boot/memtest86+.bin
Updating /boot/grub/menu.lst ... done

[Povar81]

Technically it should be just


gksudo nvidia-settings


because the Nvidia settings manager is gui based, gksudo should be used.

Other then that Curtis is right on the ball. The computer needs elevated permissions to write to the file that controls the resolution. So it will do a temporary fix but since the file itself isnt being changed, that explains why the changes dont persist through a reboot
I've tried gksudo and other options - nothing helped!
What is wrong? Do I have to reinstall my ubuntu or is there some other solution?

[Stratus_ss]

Are you telling it to save the resolution?
Right above the Quit and Help buttons there is something that says "Save to X Configuration File"

under the heading "X Server Display Configuration"

Can you post your menu.lst or grub.conf?

put it in code tags for easier reading if you would

[Povar81]

I've already fixed the 1st problem by reinstalling ubuntu, still the other two problems remain - I have to change my resolution every time after reboot.
You're right I didn't pay any attention to the button "save to X configuration file" - now when I press it, it says "failed to parse existing X config file 'etc/X11/xorg.conf'.
and in terminal it says: VALIDATION ERROR: Data incomplete in file /etc/X11/xorg.conf.
Undefined Device "(null)" referenced by Screen "Default Screen".

[Povar81]

Yahoo! I fixed the second one by creating the conf file with sudo nvidia-xconfig. Now the changes I make can finally be save up.
Thanks, Stratus_ss for directing me!
Well, now there's only the last one left - it's not too critical, but still I'd like to know what is the best resolution and frequency and maybe some other adjustments for my samsung '19 monitor.

[Stratus_ss]

Yahoo! I fixed the second one by creating the conf file with sudo nvidia-xconfig. Now the changes I make can finally be save up.
Thanks, Stratus_ss for directing me!
Well, now there's only the last one left - it's not too critical, but still I'd like to know what is the best resolution and frequency and maybe some other adjustments for my samsung '19 monitor.

That unfortunately we can't really help you with. Those settings are totally dependent on the model and make of your monitor. You will have to google for the owners manual if you dont still have it.

If your refresh rate or resolution is too high your monitor will go out of sync. In general, I have found the refresh rate to be optimized by the Nvidia binary drivers, as for the resolution depends on the ability of your monitor and your personal preference

[Povar81]

There's appeared another problem with my boot menu - it duplicates!
Instead of 4 boot up options I had initially there've appeared 6 of them and now it's 8!
How can I fix that?

[Dapman02]

There's appeared another problem with my boot menu - it duplicates!
Instead of 4 boot up options I had initially there've appeared 6 of them and now it's 8!
How can I fix that?

those other ones are kernal roll backs
basically if you have issues after a kernal update, you can easily roll back to an older one.

[Povar81]

those other ones are kernal roll backs
basically if you have issues after a kernal update, you can easily roll back to an older one.

Oh, you mean it happens every time after update? cuz I actually had a couple of updates recently, but how do I get rid of them, I don't want it to fill all the boot screen?

[clayman1000x]

There's appeared another problem with my boot menu - it duplicates!
Instead of 4 boot up options I had initially there've appeared 6 of them and now it's 8!
How can I fix that?
Using windows, I assume you are using XP but you didn't specify what os you have. Right click My Computer, properties, advanced tab, startup and recovery, settings, Edit, make sure it looks like this,
[boot loader]
timeout=30
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOW S
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Professional" /fastdetect /NoExecute=OptIn
C:\wubildr.mbr="Ubuntu"
When I installed Ubuntu mine too was the preferred boot but I switched ubuntu with the windows loader and everything was fine. Make sure you save notepad after changing and ok, ok. Then reboot and you will see the change. Take out all other boot options that are not needed.

[Stratus_ss]

Oh, you mean it happens every time after update? cuz I actually had a couple of updates recently, but how do I get rid of them, I don't want it to fill all the boot screen?

using the newest ubuntu, you uninstall the previous kernel versions and update grub and they should dissappear. if you need me to walk you through that i would be more then happy to

[Povar81]

using the newest ubuntu, you uninstall the previous kernel versions and update grub and they should dissappear. if you need me to walk you through that i would be more then happy to

Yes, please tell me how to do that properly.

[Stratus_ss]

in a terminal, find your current kernel version
uname -r

then
go to system> administration > synaptic package manager
in the filter type "linux-image" to bring up the list of kernels that are installed mark for uninstallation all of the kernels you dont want.

when that is done, change the filter to linux-headers and remove the ones you dont want
click the apply check mark

in a terminal type
sudo update-grub2

it should now rebuild your grub menu with only the linux kernels and windows versions it can find installed

[Povar81]

Thank you, but suddenly there has appeared another problem - upper panel is blocked and I can't open up even mozilla, when I press reset button it shows that the panel is not responding or something like that!
Please tell me what is it and how to fix it?

[Stratus_ss]

I am not sure I fully understand the problem. What do you mean the upper panel is blocked? Can you be a bit more specific?

[Povar81]

I mean that I can see the menu, applications etc. in the upper left corner in ubuntu but when try to click and open them - nothing happens, however I can click the links on my desktop and open the explorer (nautilius if I'm correct), but that's it.
Oh, now I've figured out what was the problem - it was just wrong option in boot menu, cuz like I said there are about 6 different options of ubuntu - after every update, and if I choose the bottom one it works fine.
Thanks everyone for your help and especially Stratus_ss!
It's very improtant for a newbie to get some help and support in the begging, thank you!