I can't install Linux on my PC.
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linodinatale
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Hello everyone, I currently have Windows 8.1 on my machine and I want to install a Debian Linux distribution. The problem is that during the installation, specifically during the partitioning, I do assisted partitioning but Linux does not see the partition I reserved for this purpose. When I do manual partitioning, I see the partition, I select it, delete the partition, recreate it automatically but when I confirm the configuration settings, a message appears saying the partition does not contain an EFIBOOT. When I try manual partitioning, I create a space of 600 MB as EFIBOOT but again at the confirmation moment another message appears saying there is no root file.
I remind you that the reserved space is 110 GB as I want to use it as my favorite system. I count on your help to move forward. Thank you all.
I remind you that the reserved space is 110 GB as I want to use it as my favorite system. I count on your help to move forward. Thank you all.
5 answers
Hello,
First of all, a question: have you backed up your EFI partition and created a recovery USB for W8 (unless you have the installation DVD)?
If you haven’t done so, I warn you that the risks of ending up with a Windows that you can no longer boot are very real and you will have a hard time fixing that without the indicated backups. But it's up to you...
You should send us a screenshot of the partitions on your hard drive in gparted so that we understand the origin of your problem because it's not clear.
First of all, a question: have you backed up your EFI partition and created a recovery USB for W8 (unless you have the installation DVD)?
If you haven’t done so, I warn you that the risks of ending up with a Windows that you can no longer boot are very real and you will have a hard time fixing that without the indicated backups. But it's up to you...
You should send us a screenshot of the partitions on your hard drive in gparted so that we understand the origin of your problem because it's not clear.
Hello everyone, I sincerely apologize for this delay. I believe this time I will be more explicit. My laptop is a Toshiba Satellite
E45t-A4300. I have two BIOS boot modes: a UEFI mode with secure boot on which my Windows 8.1 is installed and a CSM mode. My issue is quite delicate, let me explain.
By the way, after several installation attempts and multiple disk formats, I have realized that it is not actually a partitioning issue but rather an installation that consistently fails as long as I am in UEFI mode.
You may be wondering why I don't install the distribution in CSM mode? Please follow along.
I have tried several methods that came to my mind after gathering information about installing a Linux distribution, namely Ubuntu, and had different results.
The first:
* I format my disk once again and this time I install Windows in CSM mode, then I create a partition of 50GB and, using a USB stick made bootable via Rufus, I reinstall my Debian distribution. First, Linux does not see the reserved partition but the whole disk as a single block. So I decide to install Debian on the recovery disk created from the factory which I had already formatted and which has 32GB of space.
RESULT: At the end of the installation, Windows works normally, Linux does too but only for a short time because I restart the machine and boot into both systems every time until I completely turn off the machine.
After turning off the machine, 10 minutes later I turn it back on and a message appears mentioning GRUB accompanied by a never-ending beep.
The system is messed up, I have to format the disk.
Then I take an external hard drive and try to install Linux on it.
Second method:
* I reinstall Windows this time in UEFI mode, then still in UEFI mode I disable secure boot and attempt to reinstall Debian.
RESULT: After applying changes at the partitioning step where I choose automatic partitioning, the message that appears is: "no EFIBOOT was found".
So I quit the installation.
Third method:
* Still with the same USB stick made bootable via Rufus which works wonderfully, I attempt to install Debian this time in CSM mode.
RESULT: When I boot from the USB stick, a message appears mentioning GRUB not found.
I then restart the process for the bootable USB stick and this time still in CSM mode with Windows installed in UEFI mode, I start the installation.
RESULT: The installation goes well and at the GRUB installation step when I decide to install it on the first hard drive partition, the system displays: "Unable to install GRUB, this error is fatal".
When I repeat the same process and at the moment of GRUB installation I choose to install it on the external hard drive by making /dev/sdc, a simulation of the installation is done and when I restart my computer in CSM mode, the message is "NTLDR is missing".
I specify that when I boot in UEFI mode, I can see my Windows working without any problem with this method. But I have no good results with Linux.
Here is my situation outlined; it's a bit long I know, but I hope it's more explicit. Thank you for your help. I'm listening.
E45t-A4300. I have two BIOS boot modes: a UEFI mode with secure boot on which my Windows 8.1 is installed and a CSM mode. My issue is quite delicate, let me explain.
By the way, after several installation attempts and multiple disk formats, I have realized that it is not actually a partitioning issue but rather an installation that consistently fails as long as I am in UEFI mode.
You may be wondering why I don't install the distribution in CSM mode? Please follow along.
I have tried several methods that came to my mind after gathering information about installing a Linux distribution, namely Ubuntu, and had different results.
The first:
* I format my disk once again and this time I install Windows in CSM mode, then I create a partition of 50GB and, using a USB stick made bootable via Rufus, I reinstall my Debian distribution. First, Linux does not see the reserved partition but the whole disk as a single block. So I decide to install Debian on the recovery disk created from the factory which I had already formatted and which has 32GB of space.
RESULT: At the end of the installation, Windows works normally, Linux does too but only for a short time because I restart the machine and boot into both systems every time until I completely turn off the machine.
After turning off the machine, 10 minutes later I turn it back on and a message appears mentioning GRUB accompanied by a never-ending beep.
The system is messed up, I have to format the disk.
Then I take an external hard drive and try to install Linux on it.
Second method:
* I reinstall Windows this time in UEFI mode, then still in UEFI mode I disable secure boot and attempt to reinstall Debian.
RESULT: After applying changes at the partitioning step where I choose automatic partitioning, the message that appears is: "no EFIBOOT was found".
So I quit the installation.
Third method:
* Still with the same USB stick made bootable via Rufus which works wonderfully, I attempt to install Debian this time in CSM mode.
RESULT: When I boot from the USB stick, a message appears mentioning GRUB not found.
I then restart the process for the bootable USB stick and this time still in CSM mode with Windows installed in UEFI mode, I start the installation.
RESULT: The installation goes well and at the GRUB installation step when I decide to install it on the first hard drive partition, the system displays: "Unable to install GRUB, this error is fatal".
When I repeat the same process and at the moment of GRUB installation I choose to install it on the external hard drive by making /dev/sdc, a simulation of the installation is done and when I restart my computer in CSM mode, the message is "NTLDR is missing".
I specify that when I boot in UEFI mode, I can see my Windows working without any problem with this method. But I have no good results with Linux.
Here is my situation outlined; it's a bit long I know, but I hope it's more explicit. Thank you for your help. I'm listening.
Hello,
I'm having a hard time following all your journey... a few comments nonetheless.
- It seems to me that Rufus is more suitable for Windows than for Linux.
- Enabling "csm" does not remove uefi. Are you sure your W8 installs in mbr?
- The automatic partitioning shows "no efi-boot". I don't know Debian's strategy with uefi, but I know that on Ubuntu, automatic partitioning tends to bug.
- Debian does not see the partitions. Proof that it starts in a different mode than the installed W8.
- ntlds is missing is a message from XP... there is a mistake somewhere.
A. In my opinion, you should either
1. Reinstall W8 in uefi. Clear your 100 Go.
2. Disable the csm option (and fast boot) in the bios to make things clear.
3. Boot with the live-cd debian, take a snapshot with gparted so we can clearly see where you are.
B. Or, you keep your csm (but remove fast boot) and
1. Rename the efi folder of your W8 installation media to efi.bak. Then, you will be sure to install your W8 in mbr mode after formatting all partitions.
2. The same with gparted.
I'm having a hard time following all your journey... a few comments nonetheless.
- It seems to me that Rufus is more suitable for Windows than for Linux.
- Enabling "csm" does not remove uefi. Are you sure your W8 installs in mbr?
- The automatic partitioning shows "no efi-boot". I don't know Debian's strategy with uefi, but I know that on Ubuntu, automatic partitioning tends to bug.
- Debian does not see the partitions. Proof that it starts in a different mode than the installed W8.
- ntlds is missing is a message from XP... there is a mistake somewhere.
A. In my opinion, you should either
1. Reinstall W8 in uefi. Clear your 100 Go.
2. Disable the csm option (and fast boot) in the bios to make things clear.
3. Boot with the live-cd debian, take a snapshot with gparted so we can clearly see where you are.
B. Or, you keep your csm (but remove fast boot) and
1. Rename the efi folder of your W8 installation media to efi.bak. Then, you will be sure to install your W8 in mbr mode after formatting all partitions.
2. The same with gparted.
Thank you ikewdu for helping me resolve my problem. I have some clarifications and a few uncertainties regarding what you are asking me.
- When UEFI is active, CSM is disabled; it's one or the other, I think.
- In UEFI mode, there is the Secure Boot option; I don’t know if that’s the Fast Boot you’re talking about.
- In CSM mode, this option is not available (it is not visible).
- I would like to know if the EFI folder that I need to modify to install Windows in MBR is the one in the extracted Windows folder that I place on the USB to make it bootable?
In the extracted folder, there are 4 folders (boot, efi, sources, and support), 3 files (autorun, bootmgr, and bootmgr.efi), and the setup.
I would like to know if it’s the EFI folder you are referring to.
Lastly, how do I take a screenshot?
- When UEFI is active, CSM is disabled; it's one or the other, I think.
- In UEFI mode, there is the Secure Boot option; I don’t know if that’s the Fast Boot you’re talking about.
- In CSM mode, this option is not available (it is not visible).
- I would like to know if the EFI folder that I need to modify to install Windows in MBR is the one in the extracted Windows folder that I place on the USB to make it bootable?
In the extracted folder, there are 4 folders (boot, efi, sources, and support), 3 files (autorun, bootmgr, and bootmgr.efi), and the setup.
I would like to know if it’s the EFI folder you are referring to.
Lastly, how do I take a screenshot?
Re,
Enabling CSM adds compatibility mode but does not necessarily disable UEFI. "Legacy" mode disables it, if the option is available.
Fast boot or quick boot is different from secure boot. No secure boot in CSM, which is normal.
The EFI folder does not need to be modified if you are sure to install your W8 in MBR mode. But that is indeed what is being discussed.
Screenshot: "Print Screen" key and upload the file on www.cjoint.com.
Enabling CSM adds compatibility mode but does not necessarily disable UEFI. "Legacy" mode disables it, if the option is available.
Fast boot or quick boot is different from secure boot. No secure boot in CSM, which is normal.
The EFI folder does not need to be modified if you are sure to install your W8 in MBR mode. But that is indeed what is being discussed.
Screenshot: "Print Screen" key and upload the file on www.cjoint.com.
Hello,
Thank you very much. I now have an idea for publishing the screenshot. I also downloaded and tested Gparted, which works wonderfully. However, there is one thing. Yes, "screenshot" for sure on Windows. The key I usually use on Windows to take a screenshot (PRTSC/SYSRQ) only works on Windows and not on Gparted or Linux. So, the changes I make on Gparted will no longer be visible on Windows due to the ext4 file systems and others.
How do I do that? I mean for the capture.
I'm not really knowledgeable; help me, I tell myself that the "screenshot" key and (PRTSC/SYSRQ) are the same, so it poses the same problem.
More precision on this level. I've understood everything well except for this.
Thank you very much. I now have an idea for publishing the screenshot. I also downloaded and tested Gparted, which works wonderfully. However, there is one thing. Yes, "screenshot" for sure on Windows. The key I usually use on Windows to take a screenshot (PRTSC/SYSRQ) only works on Windows and not on Gparted or Linux. So, the changes I make on Gparted will no longer be visible on Windows due to the ext4 file systems and others.
How do I do that? I mean for the capture.
I'm not really knowledgeable; help me, I tell myself that the "screenshot" key and (PRTSC/SYSRQ) are the same, so it poses the same problem.
More precision on this level. I've understood everything well except for this.
Hi
I successfully installed Linux on my Asus K55VD laptop, Windows 8.1 EFI, and HDD in GPT
To do this, I simply created a partition with Gparted and then installed an EFI distribution (Linux Mint 15 Olivia)
The only problem is that the dual boot doesn't work at all
For me, it's minor; I set Linux as default in the BIOS
If I really need to boot into 8, I just press the Escape key at startup and choose W8
I successfully installed Linux on my Asus K55VD laptop, Windows 8.1 EFI, and HDD in GPT
To do this, I simply created a partition with Gparted and then installed an EFI distribution (Linux Mint 15 Olivia)
The only problem is that the dual boot doesn't work at all
For me, it's minor; I set Linux as default in the BIOS
If I really need to boot into 8, I just press the Escape key at startup and choose W8
Yes, it's exactly how I want it ...;-)
I hardly use 8 on this machine and the boot choice by Esc suits me perfectly
I almost forgot, all attempts to manage dual-boot through Grub or to repair it have resulted in losing access to the Recovery function via the F9 key
This is actually the main reason that led me to choose this setup.
It's related to EFI because on the same machine in legacy and MBR there are no issues.
I hardly use 8 on this machine and the boot choice by Esc suits me perfectly
I almost forgot, all attempts to manage dual-boot through Grub or to repair it have resulted in losing access to the Recovery function via the F9 key
This is actually the main reason that led me to choose this setup.
It's related to EFI because on the same machine in legacy and MBR there are no issues.
:)
Let's say your situation is particular, and it cannot serve as a model. Because, if Ubuntu is installed "properly," it is not possible for both operating systems to boot independently of each other, as the efi/boot/bootx64.efi of W8 is replaced by an equivalent set up by Ubuntu (or by boot-repair if the operation failed during installation). To launch W8 directly, you need to find the bootmgfw.efi file in the efi/Microsoft folder.
In my opinion (but I could be wrong); your Ubuntu is installed in MBR on your disk originally in GPT, which has now switched to hybrid mode. You just need to find where grub is located to confirm.
Let's say your situation is particular, and it cannot serve as a model. Because, if Ubuntu is installed "properly," it is not possible for both operating systems to boot independently of each other, as the efi/boot/bootx64.efi of W8 is replaced by an equivalent set up by Ubuntu (or by boot-repair if the operation failed during installation). To launch W8 directly, you need to find the bootmgfw.efi file in the efi/Microsoft folder.
In my opinion (but I could be wrong); your Ubuntu is installed in MBR on your disk originally in GPT, which has now switched to hybrid mode. You just need to find where grub is located to confirm.