Hide boot manager on start up?

[me101]

Well I did a no no and doul booted pclinux kde desktop with her computer !I would like to keep it on their but just hide it when she starts up the computer so that way she doesn't know I installed it. Is their a way to achieve this?  Thanks in advance

[bicol_willem]

Try this: run redo mbr and set timeout to 0  (standard is 10 seconds)
Make sure Windows is set to default.

There should be little to see if anything.  When needed again you can run a live cd and redo mbr again in a way you like it.

[me101]

I knew their was a way to do it when u run the live cd to install but the thing is I can't chance rewring the hat drive because her computer is on its last leg I will try that thank u

[bicol_willem]

I knew their was a way to do it when u run the live cd to install but the thing is I can't chance rewring the hat drive because her computer is on its last leg I will try that thank u

Well, if I understand that running a life cd is a problem, what about a bootable flashdrive? In case, use either unetbootin or PCLinuxOS Live USB Creator. The first need FAT, the last EXT filesystem.
Maybe I don´t understand though for "rewring the hat drive" doesn´t ring a loud bell with me. 

[The Chief]

How about setting the timeout to something very short - like 1 or 2 seconds?  Hardly noticeable by her, and gives you time to hit the down arrow and then enter (if you're paying attention, that is, and I presume you will be  ).

[me101]

Thanks " the chief" I will have to as u one more question how do one do that! Thanks in advance!

[DeBaas]

the "as root" way
edit /boot/grub/menu.lst as root
The first lines are something like:

Code: [Select]

timeout 10
color black/cyan yellow/cyan
gfxmenu (hd0,4)/boot/gfxmenu
default 0change to:

Code: [Select]

timeout 0
color black/cyan yellow/cyan
gfxmenu (hd0,4)/boot/gfxmenu
default 0timout from 10 to 0.
Save and test

[The Chief]

He should be able to do that from PCC, too - in the "Boot" section.

[bicol_willem]

He should be able to do that from PCC, too - in the "Boot" section.

His problem will be to correct things later on. With no boot option to Linux anymore (the thing boots Windows), he must know his way to set the boot manager to visual again so that he can fire up Linux. Hence I advised him the use of a life CD. There might be other options I am not aware of.

[The Chief]

He should be able to do that from PCC, too - in the "Boot" section.

His problem will be to correct things later on. With no boot option to Linux anymore (the thing boots Windows), he must know his way to set the boot manager to visual again so that he can fire up Linux. Hence I advised him the use of a life CD. There might be other options I am not aware of.

Which is why I recommend 1 or 2 seconds, rather than zero.  Just long enough to hit the down arrow.

[bicol_willem]

He should be able to do that from PCC, too - in the "Boot" section.

His problem will be to correct things later on. With no boot option to Linux anymore (the thing boots Windows), he must know his way to set the boot manager to visual again so that he can fire up Linux. Hence I advised him the use of a life CD. There might be other options I am not aware of.

Which is why I recommend 1 or 2 seconds, rather than zero.  Just long enough to hit the down arrow.

I thought so but .... his "bad deeds" will be exposed! 

[sling-shot]

If it is Windows Vista or 7, there is a solution.

He could keep the delay to 0 and boot selection to Windows (this will be just a backup otherwise he could even put Windows to MBR)
Then inside Windows, use EasyBCD to add an entry in the Windows boot choice menu to point to PCLinuxOS installation BUT name it something different like "Advanced recovery settings" or something like that.
And again set the boot delay for Windows to a short time like 2 seconds like The Chief says.

The boot selection screen being of Windows origin, it would easy to explain. Some explanation can always be given regarding the extra screen too.

[Phil]

Hi me101,

You are a brave man. If SWMBO (She Who Must Be Obeyed) finds out you have been messing with her machine you will be in serious trouble, particularly if it goes wrong and the repairman says it has linux on it. (Perhaps you could arrange for some pictures of what she does to you......)

Suggestion - ask SWMBO for a user account, password protect it. Now install Virtual Box with the guest extentions, and install one of the lighter weight installs, LXDE or XFCE.

Now if the machine goes wrong there will be minimal traces of your linux preference and you will survive any repercussions.

[DeBaas]

Start up linux, create your boot on floppy, usb or CD.
Restore the Win boot.
Now you are the only one (man) who could boot your PCLinuxOS.