Ubuntu Linux on a Acer Predator G3-605

I try to install Ubuntu Linux on a Acer Predator G3-605 (dual boot with the preinstalled Windows 8.1.) I have burned the Ubuntu iso-file to a DVD and in the BIOS Setup I have set the 1st Boot Device to CD&DVD. However, when booting the Windows Boot Manager takes control. There is no chance for the DVD to boot. Same situation with a USB stick. I have tried both Secure Boot enabled/disabled: same effect. When I set Windows Boot Manager to Disabled and restart, then the screen hangs with the message: "Reboot and Select proper Boot Device or Insert Boot Media in selected device and press a key". But if I do this, the same text reappears. But no boot! Help!

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whett

I have found the solution myself: the trick is in the BIOS Setup:

In the "Boot Options" section I set "Launch CSM" to "Always", "Boot Menu" to "Enabled". voilà!

zh1975

Is this an older model of the G3-605 or a newer, and which Ubuntu version did you install?

I tried the same with one of the latest models and Ubuntu 14.10 Utopic Unicorn. Any hints would be welcome.

whett

It's a brand new Predator. Linux Xubuntu 14.04.1

zh1975

Thanks a lot for the answer

I managed to start the live USB in legacy mode (and nomodeset) but not in EFI mode. Did you enter anything into the UEFI secure boot section?

whett

I'm still working on the EFI stuff. Booting into the installed Linux is not yet possible. Frustrating!

zh1975

True. According to what I read, Acers don't have the best and Linux compatible implementation of UEFI.

The following comment could interest you:

http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=2258575

Did you disable Fastboot from within Windows and did your run Boot Repair after the installation?

When I tried last time, I didn't even succed to boot from the UEFI formatted USB, will try again with 14.04 and look if that's better.

Good luck!

whett

Hurray! I finally have a working dual-boot box. I have used boot-repair from a USB flash drive (I don't remember whether booted with or without CSM BIO option). And then I did exactly what this program told me to do. After typing the given bcdedit command in a Windows administrator command shell, it miraculously worked. I can now boot with CSM = "Never" and I get a selection screen with the first option being UBUNTU and then some Windows boot loaders. Let's hope it will stay like that!

Facit: boot-repair is a fine program.

javierdl

I am so glad you share this with the community, especially since I have the same problem now Smiley Sad

Someone from the Ubuntu Forums had advised to

"...go into UEFI, set supervisor password and enable "trust" on the grub/ubuntu efi boot files."

You didn't have to do that, did you?

I'm going to try Boot Repair as you recommend though.

Thanks in advance whett Smiley Happy

JDL

beststevie

I think it's almonst the same thing here:

http://community.acer.com/t5/Predator-Laptops/Dual-Boot-Ubuntu-Win10-Step-by-step-guide/m-p/430392#U430392

steve

amanmrafi

Anyone please help me in dual booting of ubuntu in my Acer predator g3-572. It has an SSD. Thanks in advance...

KTD

A utility called Boot repair, https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Boot-Repair
worked for dual booting an Acer Predator G3 with Windows 10 and Ubuntu 17 Linux.

The steps were:
Change the boot order in the BIOS to boot first with CD/DVD
Install Ubuntu Linux on a hard drive from a DVD.
The system would only boot into Windows.
Boot the system into Ubuntu Linux running live from the DVD.
Install boot-repair into the running live Linux as described in https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Boot-Repair
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:yannubuntu/boot-repair
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install -y boot-repair && boot-repair

Run the default boot-repair options in the Ubuntu, save the output from boot-repair on http://paste.ubuntu.com/ in case you need to troubleshoot more.
Boot-repair gives you a Windows command to set the boot manager if needed - write down this command exactly.
The system would still only boot into Windows.
Boot to Windows.
Run CMD as administrator.
Set an Ubuntu boot manager

bcdedit /set {bootmgr} path \EFI\ubuntu\shimx64.efi

Then the system boot to GRUB and allows selection of Ubuntu Linux or Windows

KTD

amanmrafi said:

Anyone please help me in dual booting of ubuntu in my Acer predator g3-572. It has an SSD. Thanks in advance... Look uo Boot-Repair for Ubuntu.

amanmrafi

KTD said:

A utility called Boot repair, https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Boot-Repair
worked for dual booting an Acer Predator G3 with Windows 10 and Ubuntu 17 Linux.
The steps were:
Change the boot order in the BIOS to boot first with CD/DVD
Install Ubuntu Linux on a hard drive from a DVD.
The system would only boot into Windows.
Boot the system into Ubuntu Linux running live from the DVD.
Install boot-repair into the running live Linux as described in https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Boot-Repair
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:yannubuntu/boot-repair
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install -y boot-repair && boot-repair
Run the default boot-repair options in the Ubuntu, save the output from boot-repair on http://paste.ubuntu.com/ in case you need to troubleshoot more.
Boot-repair gives you a Windows command to set the boot manager if needed - write down this command exactly.
The system would still only boot into Windows.
Boot to Windows.
Run CMD as administrator.
Set an Ubuntu boot manager
bcdedit /set {bootmgr} path \EFI\ubuntu\shimx64.efi
Then the system boot to GRUB and allows selection of Ubuntu Linux or Windows

Thanks Very much broo.......

ezeakeal

I came across this problem with the G17

Boot repair was never required for me (it may work for others though!)
If you're using UEFI you can instead add an EFI in the BIOS and then pick what you want to boot by hitting F12 (enable F12 boot select)
I covered the steps I took in this answer here: https://askubuntu.com/a/1089368/375438

Basically:

(Optional) Break the included RAID setup so you can use each of the SSDs separately
Enable UEFI in the BIOS and then install Ubuntu
After it's installed, you need to explicitly add the EFI to your BIOS
First set a user password in BIOS (that opens up some EFI options). From there you can add the Ubuntu EFI - I used the shimx64.efi one

Now I hit F12 on startup to pick either Win10 or Ubuntu16.04

Windows 7 is sort of not compatible with UEFI on this hardware because of the BASS-ACKWARDS BIOS THAT COMES WITH THE MACHINE.

pmodi

How to install ubuntu on Predator

Use 16.04.05
Disable secure boot
Connect to wifi(dunno if that’s required) and skip on the screen install ubuntu update/ install third party softwares. Just don't check anything and click continue
It should take a while to install stuff
Then run ubuntu in recovery mode
Do sudo apt update and sudo apt upgrade
Update kernel using ukuu(dunno if it’s required)
If sudo apt upgrade showed firmware missing files, follow the link, second last answer, run the command: