[Mactel-linux-users] Booting GNU/Linux CDs from an external optical drive

[Sebastian T. <se...@sm...>]

Hi all,

I have an aluminium Macbook Pro (Jan 2008) with a broken internal optical
drive.

I can boot from the Snow Leopard install DVD using the external optical drive
without any problem whatsoever but it simply will not boot from any of the
GNU/Linux boot CDs I have at my disposal (Debian Squeeze, Debian Lenny, Ubuntu
9.0, I've even tried a GParted Live CD).

The result is always the same - rEFIt identifies the CD as a GNU/Linux boot CD,
I select it, hit Enter, smile at Tux in the middle of my screen...  but then
everything goes black and I'm presented with the depressingly unhelpful error
message "Missing operating system".

I've synced the partition tables, the EFI firmware is as up-to-date as it can
be, I've even tried a bootable USB flash drive or two - again rEFIt identifies
the media correctly - but then... nada.

Any advice/tips/pointers/suggestions very much appreciated.

Sebastian
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