Can't boot Windows on MacbookPro with Radeon Graphics

[Niels Black]

I think the problem started after updating to Big Sur, but I use Windows so infrequently I'm not positive. The Windows logo will show for a few seconds, then a black screen or reboot. I did a clean install of Windows and it started working again, that is until I installed the graphics drivers (either via bootcamp or from AMD). If I use the Mac 'option key' boot loader it boots fine. I've tried adding the "spoof_osx_version 10.15" like I do to get graphics working in linux, but no luck.

I'm on a Mid-2015 MacbookPro with integrated Radeon R9 M370X graphics.

[joevt]

So you can still boot Windows if you don't go through rEFInd?

Maybe try RefindPlus to see if the behavior is the same and to check its debug log.

[Niels Black]

Correct, using the apple startup manager I am able to boot into windows when the radeon drivers are installed, but can't with rEFInd

I replaced the efi and config files with those from RefindPlus and was also able to boot windows! Where are the log files stored so I can help figure out what the issue is?

[joevt]

Did you update the config.conf file with info from your refind.conf file - in case there are any custom settings that you wanted to keep?

Did you install RefindPlus debug version to EFI folder? Only the debug version produces a log file and log files can only be written to FAT (msdos) formatted partitions such as the EFI partition. Usually the log file is saved to the same EFI partition as RefindPlus.

Log files are named by date. Sort by name or date modified to get the latest log.

The log for RefindPlus is in /EFI/EFI/
RefindPlus is usually at /EFI/EFI/BOOT/bootx64.efi

rEFInd should also create a log file. https://www.rodsbooks.com/refind/configfile.html
Maybe you can compare the rEFInd log file with the RefindPlus log file (set log_level to 4?)

[Niels Black]

I was able to get a log file from both when booting Windows. Unfortunately, I don't see anything glaring in either. They both do get windows to start booting, but after a few seconds of loading is when windows crashes when using rEFIned, and I suspect its because rEFIned isnt enabeling the graphics card, where as RefinedPlus does.

[joevt]

Your RefindPlus is blocking writes to NVRAM from Windows (for certificates). I don't think this is necesary for newer Macs like your 2015 MacBook Pro but I guess it shouldn't cause a problem and may save some wear and tear on the NVRAM. I don't think this blocking is helping RefindPlus to get Windows to boot but I'm not sure.

Well, maybe your MacBook Pro isn't so new - it has EFI 1.1 but is able to boot Windows with UEFI? Do the Legacy items work in RefindPlus? Do your disks have hybrid GPT/MBR with MBR boot code? PBR boot code?

There's a lot of differences between rEFInd and RefindPlus. Many changes were made to reduce memory errors/leaks (partly based on my fork's changes to remove all memory leaks).

I'm not sure if rEFInd has it's own changes that haven't been added to RefindPlus yet.

You say rEFInd isn't enabling the graphics card. But you see the rEFInd menu? Both rEFInd and RefindPlus say your GPU has GOP driver which is what Windows needs to do early boot drawing.

[dakanji]

RefindPlus is blocking writes to NVRAM from Windows (for certificates). I don't think this is necesary for newer Macs like your 2015 MacBook Pro but I guess it shouldn't cause a problem and may save some wear and tear on the NVRAM.

Yes, Unless disabled, RefindPlus blocks Windows Certificates by default when Apple firmware is detected. Probably not needed for newer Macs but it does not appear to affect operation.

This is for Windows 10. Not yet properly considered Windows 11 but it looks like it may not even write certificates to the NVRAM in the first place. Possibly gets all it needs from the TPM perhaps? Needs looking into.

I don't think this blocking is helping RefindPlus to get Windows to boot but I'm not sure.

Not likely to be a factor

I'm not sure if rEFInd has it's own changes that haven't been added to RefindPlus yet.

Everything in the current v0.13.2 release is present. Post release commits are also present ... save the silent boot feature: https://sourceforge.net/p/refind/code/merge-requests/34/

EDIT: SilentBoot added to RefindPlus 0.13.2.AN

[Niels Black]

i remember setting up a hybrid GPT/MBR in my previous macbook, but i dont think i did on this one. gdisk says i have a GPT partition table with a protective MBR. I tried the legacy boot options for refindPlus and none of them worked.

I would guess that refind and windows use the intel integrated graphics, and the problem on windows only starts after installing/activating the radeon drivers in windows.

thanks for the help, ill keep using refindplus for now!