I’m trying to install Ubuntu alongside Mac OS X on my MacBook Pro. The steps:
1. Install rEFInd 0.8.5 - successful: shows up on boot
2. Install Ubuntu, creating two new partitions (ext4 + swap) in the process - the installation concluded successfully, boot loader was installed to the ext4 partition
3. After step 2, there’s a new icon in the rEFInd boot manager labeled “Boot Linux from EFI”, however after I select it for boot, it shows a “Missing boot loader” message.
What’s more, even after I completely remove ubuntu partitions, the icon stays without any changes.
Is there a way to get rid of the “Missing boot loader” message and boot up Ubuntu? Also is it possible to remove the second icon after removing ubuntu partitions?
Thanks in advance for your help and Best Regards,
Marcin Nowrot
PS. Probably a reset of the MBR/GPT will be needed - I know I was able to boot into Ubuntu using rEFInd previously. After that I’ve removed ubuntu, installed other OSes, removed them and when I tried to go back to Ubuntu I’ve hit the “Missing boot loader” issue.
PS2. Should you need any additional information regarding my setup, please let me know.
M.N.
Last edit: Marcin Nowrot 2015-02-08
If you would like to refer to this comment somewhere else in this project, copy and paste the following link:
You didn't specify these details, but I'll assume you installed a 64-bit Ubuntu on a Mac with a 64-bit EFI. If you installed a 32-bit Ubuntu on a Mac with a 64-bit EFI, I recommend you ditch that installation in favor of a 64-bit installation. I also assume you're not trying to triple-boot with anything else, like Windows.
Try installing the EFI filesystem driver for whatever filesystem holds your Linux kernel (probably ext4fs). You can do this manually, but the easiest way at this point is to re-run install.sh in OS X. This will re-install rEFInd, and the script will detect your Linux installation this time and install the appropriate driver.
Once this is done, mount your ESP (if necessary; see the first couple steps of the manual installation instructions and edit refind.conf: Uncomment the scanfor line and ensure that hdbios is not among the options it includes. This will remove the unnecessary and non-functional BIOS-mode boot loader from the list.
If you would like to refer to this comment somewhere else in this project, copy and paste the following link:
Thanks Roderick, after applying the advice above it works now - I am able to boot into Ubuntu now. :)
Actually, my goal is to triple boot into MacOS X Yosemite + Ubuntu 14.04 + FreeBSD 10.1 (on ufs partition). Do I need to reinstall rEFInd after installing FreeBSD as well? Do you have any advice at the moment w.r.t. FreeBSD setup so it works with rEFInd?
Last edit: Marcin Nowrot 2015-02-08
If you would like to refer to this comment somewhere else in this project, copy and paste the following link:
There's a new EFI boot loader for FreeBSD, so my recommendation is to try to use it. I've tried this boot loader on a UEFI-based PC and it worked for me, but I've not tried it on a Mac, so I can't guarantee it will work on a Mac. If not, you'll need to create a hybrid MBR, install the FreeBSD BIOS boot loader, re-enable the hdbios option to scanfor in refind.conf, and possibly remove the extra Linux boot option that might (or might not) appear alongside the FreeBSD option.
If you would like to refer to this comment somewhere else in this project, copy and paste the following link:
Dear Roderick,
I’m trying to install Ubuntu alongside Mac OS X on my MacBook Pro. The steps:
1. Install rEFInd 0.8.5 - successful: shows up on boot
2. Install Ubuntu, creating two new partitions (ext4 + swap) in the process - the installation concluded successfully, boot loader was installed to the ext4 partition
3. After step 2, there’s a new icon in the rEFInd boot manager labeled “Boot Linux from EFI”, however after I select it for boot, it shows a “Missing boot loader” message.
What’s more, even after I completely remove ubuntu partitions, the icon stays without any changes.
Is there a way to get rid of the “Missing boot loader” message and boot up Ubuntu? Also is it possible to remove the second icon after removing ubuntu partitions?
Thanks in advance for your help and Best Regards,
Marcin Nowrot
PS. Probably a reset of the MBR/GPT will be needed - I know I was able to boot into Ubuntu using rEFInd previously. After that I’ve removed ubuntu, installed other OSes, removed them and when I tried to go back to Ubuntu I’ve hit the “Missing boot loader” issue.
PS2. Should you need any additional information regarding my setup, please let me know.
M.N.
Last edit: Marcin Nowrot 2015-02-08
You didn't specify these details, but I'll assume you installed a 64-bit Ubuntu on a Mac with a 64-bit EFI. If you installed a 32-bit Ubuntu on a Mac with a 64-bit EFI, I recommend you ditch that installation in favor of a 64-bit installation. I also assume you're not trying to triple-boot with anything else, like Windows.
Try installing the EFI filesystem driver for whatever filesystem holds your Linux kernel (probably ext4fs). You can do this manually, but the easiest way at this point is to re-run
install.shin OS X. This will re-install rEFInd, and the script will detect your Linux installation this time and install the appropriate driver.Once this is done, mount your ESP (if necessary; see the first couple steps of the manual installation instructions and edit
refind.conf: Uncomment thescanforline and ensure thathdbiosis not among the options it includes. This will remove the unnecessary and non-functional BIOS-mode boot loader from the list.Thanks Roderick, after applying the advice above it works now - I am able to boot into Ubuntu now. :)
Actually, my goal is to triple boot into MacOS X Yosemite + Ubuntu 14.04 + FreeBSD 10.1 (on ufs partition). Do I need to reinstall rEFInd after installing FreeBSD as well? Do you have any advice at the moment w.r.t. FreeBSD setup so it works with rEFInd?
Last edit: Marcin Nowrot 2015-02-08
There's a new EFI boot loader for FreeBSD, so my recommendation is to try to use it. I've tried this boot loader on a UEFI-based PC and it worked for me, but I've not tried it on a Mac, so I can't guarantee it will work on a Mac. If not, you'll need to create a hybrid MBR, install the FreeBSD BIOS boot loader, re-enable the
hdbiosoption toscanforinrefind.conf, and possibly remove the extra Linux boot option that might (or might not) appear alongside the FreeBSD option.Thanks for your help so far. As I have additional questions/comments w.r.t. FreeBSD triple-boot, I'll start a separate thread.