Grub2 configuration is in /etc/defaut/grub ( on Debian at least ).

Set GRUB_DEFAULT=saved in /etc/default/grub if you want to start with the last good boot.

update-grub - detects kernels automatically and writes boot lines to /boot/grub/grub.conf

grub-set-default - set the default entry ( First boot entry is number 0 )

grub-reboot - set the boot entry for the next reboot only ( for testing new kernels or other boot stuff especially when you're working remotely )