I have a machine running Windows 10.
Using Grub2Win (v7.6.4) I installed the EFI firmware in my disk and performed the one-time boot test, it worked.
However, when I open again the program it says "Your EFI firmware slot 1 is not set to Grub2Win".
I click the button "Set EFI firmware boot order" but no "Grub2Win" entry is listed, there is only the Windows boot manager. How can I fix this?
Some firmware does not comply with standards and may not report the EFI configuration to Windows correctly. In order to debug this, I need a couple of things.
Please let me know the make and model of the PC or motherboard.
More importantly, please run C:\grub2\winsource\xxdiag.bat as an administrator (by right clicking it).
The script will create directory C:\grub2\diagnose which will contain a map of your partitions and the raw EFI information your firmware is reporting to Windows, as well as other Grub related logs.
Zip up the diagnose directory and send it to me as an attachment so that I can better analyze your particular situation.
Thanks,
Dave
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I looked through the raw EFI data from Windows. Your firmware is not correctly reporting the Grub2Win entry even though it is properly configured in your EFI partition.
A possible workaround is for you to download this free EFI management tool called EasyUEFI
Hi Dave,
I tried what you said and it didn't work.
I can manually add the "Grub2Win" entry and move it to the top.
Grub2Win detects it and gives no errors. However it continues to work only once.
During the first reboot it behaves as wanted but when I log in to Windows and open Grub2Win it detects no "Grub2Win" entry as in my first screenshot. What do I do now?
I attached a screenshot taken before the first reboot, when the "Grub2Win" entry is present.
Another question: Is it possible with your program to launch a Linux OS installed in an external usb even if it isn't recognized by Windows? (The primary partition is ext2 formatted)
"During the first reboot it behaves as wanted but when I log in to Windows and open Grub2Win it detects no "Grub2Win" entry as in my first screenshot. What do I do now?"
If you reboot is the Grub2Win entry there like the 1st time? And is it in the Grub2Win grub.cfg file?
The point being is the problem a Grub2Win problem or a firmware/EFI problem.
"Another question: Is it possible with your program to launch a Linux OS installed in an external usb even if it isn't recognized by Windows? (The primary partition is ext2 formatted)"
I suspect the answer is yes, because I'm pretty sure Grub2 can read the ext2 partition. The problem is you will have to manually create the Grub2Win grub.cfg entry to boot it because Grub2Win can't see the partition to create it. Should not be difficult to do.
An interesting situation Stefano. Looking forward to how this plays out.
Ed
If you would like to refer to this comment somewhere else in this project, copy and paste the following link:
The symptoms here point to some sort of EFI firmware issue. The fact that EasyUEFI has problems as well as Grub2Win seems to verify that your firmware is not reporting the full environment to WIndows.
I have seen some strange behavior if the "Secure Boot" or CSM settings are not correct.
"Secure Boot" must be disabled for Grub2Win (and many other programs) to work. CSM should be enabled.
Please double check your BIOS/EFI settings. I found this Acer video that describes the settings although they may be different for your particular machine.
To answer your other question, Grub can read many many filesystems at boot time, including ext2, ext3 and ext4 as well as NTFS, fat32 and Mac hfs. You should be able to boot your USB Linux with no problem.
Please let me know how you make out.
Dave
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First of all, thank you for all the support you are giving me.
I had already disabled Secure Boot before doing anything with Grub2Win and EasyUEFI reports it as well so that's not the problem I Guess.
There isn't any CSM setting in my BIOS/EFI settings.
What now?
Last edit: Stefano 2016-05-15
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I've been looking at your data for a day or so and I've concluded that this is almost certainly a problem with the Acer firmware.
The EFI entries which the firmware is reporting to Windows after the reboot are incorrect.
Before reboot:***********
Boot Manager per firmware
identificatore {fwbootmgr}
displayorder {bootmgr}
{8827502d-e7d5-11e4-9728-f0761cbe095e} <-- This one disappears after the reboot
{a94d3b02-e7b9-11e4-89e2-f0761cbe095e}
{a94d3b03-e7b9-11e4-89e2-f0761cbe095e}
{a94d3b04-e7b9-11e4-89e2-f0761cbe095e}
timeout 0
I updated my firmware with no luck.
Grub2Win states that my version is v1.32 but nothing has changed besides that.
I still can create the Grub2Win entry but it disappears after a reboot as it always did.
Many thaks Dave for your support and your kindness to me!
So this is unfixable for us?
Thanks again,
Stefano
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The fact that two independent software packages, EasyUEFI and Grub2Win,
both fail in the same way directly implicates the Acer EFI firmware.
I feel you must turn to Acer support if you wish to pursue this further.
Many thanks for your patience,
Dave
On 5/18/2016 10:57 AM, Stefano wrote:
Hi Dave,
I updated my firmware with no luck.
Grub2Win states that my version is v1.32 but nothing has changed
besides that.
I still can create the Grub2Win entry but it disappears after a reboot
as it always did.
Many thaks Dave for your support and your kindness to me!
I'm a little confused as to your situation. You say you can create the Grub2Win entry and you can reboot, using the entry? Or are you rebooting Windows instead? Then you check with Grub2Win and it is gone.
Even if it is not showing in Grub2Win if you reboot is it available when booting?
Ed
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Hi Ed,
I can create the entry and reboot windows but grub does not show up. It does so only reinstaling Grub2Win in the EFI partition every time I log in to Windows.
If you would like to refer to this comment somewhere else in this project, copy and paste the following link:
This sounds, to me, like a security issue. Something is disallowing the new boot option. If you have Secure Boot turned off check your system's antivirus logs and see it anything shows up there.
Is the machine this is happening on owned by a company or school? Commercial security can be tighter than home securiy.
If you would like to refer to this comment somewhere else in this project, copy and paste the following link:
Hi Stefano,
I had this same issue, and the way I got around it was to temporarily turn ON Secure Boot and make sure you have a password set. This will enable new options in the Acer boot menu. Then in the Security menu 'Select UEFI file as trusted', and find the grub2win efi file. Make sure you give it a name 'grub2win' (there is no prompt label, just a text box) and save it. Then save and reboot, and press F2 again to go back into the Acer menu. Choose Boot, and your grub2win should now be listed. Move it to the top order in priority. Then DISABLE secure boot again, and you should be set.
If you would like to refer to this comment somewhere else in this project, copy and paste the following link:
I too have a new Acer with the restricting BIOS (Secure Boot).
I've enabled secure boot and 'approved' the EFI file in the BIOS (you need to approve it or it won't accept it as a boot option).
After this is where I found the fix that may have been overlooked on this forum...
The Grub2Win (or whatever you call the approved EFI file) needs to be set as default in the 'boot order' in BIOS. Its the first time I've ever seen a non-device in this list but thats it - the EFI file is treated as an independent device such as boot from: CDROM, USB, HDD etc..
Now I can boot Grub2Win every time.
I hope it helps everyone else with this issue.
I've got Mint and Windows running now and not had to compromise by turning Secure Boot off.
Matt
If you would like to refer to this comment somewhere else in this project, copy and paste the following link:
I try this and it worked for me:
1-I disabled the secure boot:
After power on my laptop, with pressing F2 for several times I entered setup and I set supervisor password. By setting the supervisor password another option showed up: Secure boot and I disabled it.
2-I Installed Ubuntu 18.04.2 LTS using live USB following the official Ubuntu guides. After installation, the system only boots on windows and there is no option to access Linux.
3-I used grub2win to add my desired boot menu including a new entry for Ubuntu.
It is worked fine but just one time only.
4-Using Hasleo EasyUEFI Trial I made an entry for grub2win but it does the job just one time only.
But this great software lets me know where is the required .efi file of grub2win is located. For me the address was:
\EFI\grub2win\g2bootmgr\gnugrub.kernel64.efi
5-I used this command in an elevated command prompt (cmd as administrator) in windows:
bcdedit /set {bootmgr} path [path to grub2win .efi file]
for my case it was like this:
bcdedit /set {bootmgr} path \EFI\grub2win\g2bootmgr\gnugrub.kernel64.efi
And it's done. Every time I see the beautiful grub2win menu.
This took 2 days to find this solution for me, but be careful and do it if only you are familiar with the boot repair process in windows.
If you would like to refer to this comment somewhere else in this project, copy and paste the following link:
The steps you describe are exactly what Grub2Win does when you click the blue "Set Firmware Boot Order" button on the main configuration screen.
The application is simply runing the bcdedit /set {bootmgr} path command internally.
Grub2Win actually calls the bcdedit program and issues this command.
If your system doesn't boot Grub2Win persistently, I would like to understand why.
Would you mind running the Grub2Win diagnostics and sending the file to me so I can analyze this issue.
Please be sure you are running version 2.0.0.5 which has all the latest fixes.
Many thanks,
Dave
If you would like to refer to this comment somewhere else in this project, copy and paste the following link:
The steps you describe are exactly what Grub2Win does when you click the
blue "Set Firmware Boot Order" button on the main configuration screen.
The application is simply runing the bcdedit /set {bootmgr} path command
internally.
Grub2Win actually calls the bcdedit program and issues this command.
If your system doesn't boot Grub2Win persistently, I would like to
understand why.
Would you mind running the Grub2Win diagnostics and sending the file to me
so I can analyze this issue.
Please be sure you are running version 2.0.0.5 which has all the latest
fixes.
I have a machine running Windows 10.
Using Grub2Win (v7.6.4) I installed the EFI firmware in my disk and performed the one-time boot test, it worked.
However, when I open again the program it says "Your EFI firmware slot 1 is not set to Grub2Win".
I click the button "Set EFI firmware boot order" but no "Grub2Win" entry is listed, there is only the Windows boot manager. How can I fix this?
Last edit: Stefano 2016-05-12
Hi Stefano,
Some firmware does not comply with standards and may not report the EFI configuration to Windows correctly. In order to debug this, I need a couple of things.
Please let me know the make and model of the PC or motherboard.
More importantly, please run C:\grub2\winsource\xxdiag.bat as an administrator (by right clicking it).
The script will create directory C:\grub2\diagnose which will contain a map of your partitions and the raw EFI information your firmware is reporting to Windows, as well as other Grub related logs.
Zip up the diagnose directory and send it to me as an attachment so that I can better analyze your particular situation.
Thanks,
Dave
Thanks Dave,
in the .7z file there are all the informations you required.
Last edit: Stefano 2016-05-12
Hi Stefano,
I looked through the raw EFI data from Windows. Your firmware is not correctly reporting the Grub2Win entry even though it is properly configured in your EFI partition.
A possible workaround is for you to download this free EFI management tool called EasyUEFI
http://www.easyuefi.com/index-us.html
The tool should allow you to manually add the Grub2Win entry, bypassing your machine's EFI firmware.
Simply run EasyUEFI
Click the "Create a new entry" button
The Type will be "Linux or other OS" Description should be "Grub2Win"
Select your EFI partition as the target. It will show on the disk graphic as "ESP FAT32"
Click the "Brower" button (should be "Browser")
Navigate to file /EFI/grub2win/grub2win.boot64.efi and select it.
Click OK and the Grub2Win entry should be added to your EFI firmware.
You may then want to move Grub2Win to the top using the green "Move up" button.
Please let me know if this works for you.
Thanks,
Dave
Hi Dave,
I tried what you said and it didn't work.
I can manually add the "Grub2Win" entry and move it to the top.
Grub2Win detects it and gives no errors. However it continues to work only once.
During the first reboot it behaves as wanted but when I log in to Windows and open Grub2Win it detects no "Grub2Win" entry as in my first screenshot. What do I do now?
I attached a screenshot taken before the first reboot, when the "Grub2Win" entry is present.
Another question: Is it possible with your program to launch a Linux OS installed in an external usb even if it isn't recognized by Windows? (The primary partition is ext2 formatted)
Hi Stefano.
A couple of questions if I may.
"During the first reboot it behaves as wanted but when I log in to Windows and open Grub2Win it detects no "Grub2Win" entry as in my first screenshot. What do I do now?"
If you reboot is the Grub2Win entry there like the 1st time? And is it in the Grub2Win grub.cfg file?
The point being is the problem a Grub2Win problem or a firmware/EFI problem.
"Another question: Is it possible with your program to launch a Linux OS installed in an external usb even if it isn't recognized by Windows? (The primary partition is ext2 formatted)"
I suspect the answer is yes, because I'm pretty sure Grub2 can read the ext2 partition. The problem is you will have to manually create the Grub2Win grub.cfg entry to boot it because Grub2Win can't see the partition to create it. Should not be difficult to do.
An interesting situation Stefano. Looking forward to how this plays out.
Ed
Hi Stefano,
The symptoms here point to some sort of EFI firmware issue. The fact that EasyUEFI has problems as well as Grub2Win seems to verify that your firmware is not reporting the full environment to WIndows.
I have seen some strange behavior if the "Secure Boot" or CSM settings are not correct.
"Secure Boot" must be disabled for Grub2Win (and many other programs) to work. CSM should be enabled.
Please double check your BIOS/EFI settings. I found this Acer video that describes the settings although they may be different for your particular machine.
http://acer--uk.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/27071/~/how-to-enable-or-disable-secure-boot
To answer your other question, Grub can read many many filesystems at boot time, including ext2, ext3 and ext4 as well as NTFS, fat32 and Mac hfs. You should be able to boot your USB Linux with no problem.
Please let me know how you make out.
Dave
Hi,
First of all, thank you for all the support you are giving me.
I had already disabled Secure Boot before doing anything with Grub2Win and EasyUEFI reports it as well so that's not the problem I Guess.
There isn't any CSM setting in my BIOS/EFI settings.
What now?
Last edit: Stefano 2016-05-15
Hi Stefano,
This is a stubborn problem. I need some more data to figure out what is happening.
Please follow these steps closely and give me as much info as possible:
Can EasyUEFI set Grub2Win as the default top boot item using the Up Arrow button? Does it stay on top after a re-boot?
Please download and install Grub2Win 7.6.6 This new version collects additional BIOS disgnostic data.
Run C:\grub2\winsource\xxefimaint.bat This will start Grub2Win in a special diagnostic mode.
Click the "Manage EFI Partition Modules" button
When the purple confirmation screen appears, select action "Copy The EFI To A Directory" and click "Accept"
This will create a copy of your EFI partition on your C: drive.
Now return to the main menu and click "OK" so the program completes normally.
Zip up both the EFI-Copy directory and file C:\grub2\update.log and send them to me.
With this info, I should be able to determine where the error lies.
Thanks,
Dave
Hi Dave,
1) Yes, I can set the Grub2Win entry at the top with EasyUEFI but after a reboot it disappears completely like I didn't create any Grub2Win entry.
Here's the zip file.
Thanks,
Stefano
Last edit: Stefano 2016-05-15
Hi Stefano,
I've been looking at your data for a day or so and I've concluded that this is almost certainly a problem with the Acer firmware.
The EFI entries which the firmware is reporting to Windows after the reboot are incorrect.
Before reboot:***********
Boot Manager per firmware
identificatore {fwbootmgr}
displayorder {bootmgr}
{8827502d-e7d5-11e4-9728-f0761cbe095e} <-- This one disappears after the reboot
{a94d3b02-e7b9-11e4-89e2-f0761cbe095e}
{a94d3b03-e7b9-11e4-89e2-f0761cbe095e}
{a94d3b04-e7b9-11e4-89e2-f0761cbe095e}
timeout 0
After reboot:***********
Boot Manager per firmware
identificatore {fwbootmgr}
displayorder {bootmgr}
{a94d3b02-e7b9-11e4-89e2-f0761cbe095e}
{a94d3b03-e7b9-11e4-89e2-f0761cbe095e}
{a94d3b04-e7b9-11e4-89e2-f0761cbe095e}
timeout 0
Grub2Win is not involved in building the list. Windows builds this list at boot time based on what the firmware reports.
I notice that you are running release 1.26 of the Acer firmware. It's over a year old and four versions out of date.
This current Acer firmware release is 1.32 Acer might have fixed the problem.
Here's the link to download the new release:
http://global-download.acer.com/GDFiles/BIOS/BIOS/BIOS_Acer_1.32_A_A.zip?acerid=635955932782964602&Step1=NOTEBOOK&Step2=ASPIRE&Step3=ASPIRE E5-571G&OS=ALL&LC=en&BC=ACER&SC=PA_6
I hope this works for you as I can't see any other way to fix this firmware problem other than going to Acer for help.
Please let me know.
Thanks,
Dave
Hi Dave,
I updated my firmware with no luck.
Grub2Win states that my version is v1.32 but nothing has changed besides that.
I still can create the Grub2Win entry but it disappears after a reboot as it always did.
Many thaks Dave for your support and your kindness to me!
So this is unfixable for us?
Thanks again,
Stefano
Hi Stefano,
I'm afraid I've done all I can with this.
The fact that two independent software packages, EasyUEFI and Grub2Win,
both fail in the same way directly implicates the Acer EFI firmware.
I feel you must turn to Acer support if you wish to pursue this further.
Many thanks for your patience,
Dave
On 5/18/2016 10:57 AM, Stefano wrote:
Hi Stefano,
I'm a little confused as to your situation. You say you can create the Grub2Win entry and you can reboot, using the entry? Or are you rebooting Windows instead? Then you check with Grub2Win and it is gone.
Even if it is not showing in Grub2Win if you reboot is it available when booting?
Ed
Hi Ed,
I can create the entry and reboot windows but grub does not show up. It does so only reinstaling Grub2Win in the EFI partition every time I log in to Windows.
This sounds, to me, like a security issue. Something is disallowing the new boot option. If you have Secure Boot turned off check your system's antivirus logs and see it anything shows up there.
Is the machine this is happening on owned by a company or school? Commercial security can be tighter than home securiy.
Hi Ed,
I have secure boot disabled and my antivirus is not showing anything. The PC is mine.
Hi Stefano,
I had this same issue, and the way I got around it was to temporarily turn ON Secure Boot and make sure you have a password set. This will enable new options in the Acer boot menu. Then in the Security menu 'Select UEFI file as trusted', and find the grub2win efi file. Make sure you give it a name 'grub2win' (there is no prompt label, just a text box) and save it. Then save and reboot, and press F2 again to go back into the Acer menu. Choose Boot, and your grub2win should now be listed. Move it to the top order in priority. Then DISABLE secure boot again, and you should be set.
I may have found a fix for you.
I too have a new Acer with the restricting BIOS (Secure Boot).
I've enabled secure boot and 'approved' the EFI file in the BIOS (you need to approve it or it won't accept it as a boot option).
After this is where I found the fix that may have been overlooked on this forum...
The Grub2Win (or whatever you call the approved EFI file) needs to be set as default in the 'boot order' in BIOS. Its the first time I've ever seen a non-device in this list but thats it - the EFI file is treated as an independent device such as boot from: CDROM, USB, HDD etc..
Now I can boot Grub2Win every time.
I hope it helps everyone else with this issue.
I've got Mint and Windows running now and not had to compromise by turning Secure Boot off.
Matt
I just realised that sdubs32489 here just said it before me. Sorry! I should have read his comment before I rambled on. Hehe
Hi,
I have acer sw5-271 13" laptop.
I try this and it worked for me:
1-I disabled the secure boot:
After power on my laptop, with pressing F2 for several times I entered setup and I set supervisor password. By setting the supervisor password another option showed up: Secure boot and I disabled it.
2-I Installed Ubuntu 18.04.2 LTS using live USB following the official Ubuntu guides. After installation, the system only boots on windows and there is no option to access Linux.
3-I used grub2win to add my desired boot menu including a new entry for Ubuntu.
It is worked fine but just one time only.
4-Using Hasleo EasyUEFI Trial I made an entry for grub2win but it does the job just one time only.
But this great software lets me know where is the required .efi file of grub2win is located. For me the address was:
\EFI\grub2win\g2bootmgr\gnugrub.kernel64.efi
5-I used this command in an elevated command prompt (cmd as administrator) in windows:
bcdedit /set {bootmgr} path [path to grub2win .efi file]
for my case it was like this:
bcdedit /set {bootmgr} path \EFI\grub2win\g2bootmgr\gnugrub.kernel64.efi
And it's done. Every time I see the beautiful grub2win menu.
This took 2 days to find this solution for me, but be careful and do it if only you are familiar with the boot repair process in windows.
Hi Mostafa
The steps you describe are exactly what Grub2Win does when you click the blue "Set Firmware Boot Order" button on the main configuration screen.
The application is simply runing the bcdedit /set {bootmgr} path command internally.
Grub2Win actually calls the bcdedit program and issues this command.
If your system doesn't boot Grub2Win persistently, I would like to understand why.
Would you mind running the Grub2Win diagnostics and sending the file to me so I can analyze this issue.
Please be sure you are running version 2.0.0.5 which has all the latest fixes.
Many thanks,
Dave
Hi Dave,
Whenever I press "Set Firmware Boot Order", it works just fine but just one
time and after 2nd reboot, no boot menu appears.
I'll try Grub2Win diagnostics and I'll post the result here. Is it ok?
Bests,
Mostafa
On Wed, Mar 27, 2019 at 2:01 AM Drummer drummerdp@users.sourceforge.net
wrote:
Hi Mostafa,
Yes, please attach the diagnostics and post when you have the chance.
Dave
Some screenshots:
1-before any test
2-After EFI Partition Operation and then Set EFI Firmware Boot Order
On Wed, Apr 10, 2019 at 12:24 AM m hz mhzreg@gmail.com wrote: