Install rEFInd to a OS less Macbook
An EFI boot manager utility
Status: Beta
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Hi,
I have an old Macbook (either mid or late 2010, I am not sure, with a white plastic body) that has come to be without an operating system, and I would like to install Debian on it. The problem is at this point I have no idea about how to bless something on it or in general modify NVRAM variables. I can extract the disk and modify every single bit of it with another computer, though. I guess that a starting point would be already to install rEFInd on it, and than I could use it to boot something else.
So the question is: is it possible to install rEFInd on the hard disk from another computer in such a way that I can then make the Macbook firmware to run it independently of which configuration was left in the NVRAM?
Thanks, Giovanni.
A simpler approach is, while the machine is powered off, to insert a Debian installation medium and to hold down the Option key while powering it on. This should boot the Debian installer and it will install normally, including setting up the boot loader. If you install in EFI mode and want to install rEFInd at that point, you can do so from Debian.
It should also be possible to boot rEFInd from a USB flash drive or CD-R. Images for both of these are available on the rEFInd downloads page. Booting rEFInd in this way shouldn't be necessary to install Debian (or any other OS), although it can be a useful recovery tool in case the OS's boot loader doesn't install correctly.
Right, I did not think if this. Thank you!