Can't access UEFI after installing linux dual boot

13

Answers

  • padgett
    padgett ACE Posts: 4,532 Pathfinder

    Been trying this with a Spin 1 32Gb (figure Linux may be better than Windows). So far have only succeeded with MANJARO and not Ubuntu or Kali .

    To boot MANJARO I erased all boot settings.

    With Ubuntu 16.04.3 or Kali 2017.3 I just get a white dot in the upper left. USB flashes for a few seconds and quits.

    Tried restoring secure boot and adding the boot files. All now show up but Ubuntu still boots to a white dot and all activity ceases. I am wondering if it is a GRUB issue since if I replace BOOTX64.EFI in the KALI boot directory with the one from MANJANO, I then get the KALI boot menu but any selection gives a GRUB error.

    Curiouser and curiouser.

  • JordanB
    JordanB ACE Posts: 3,729 Pathfinder
    @padgett

    If you didn't follow the correct procedure from the very beginning, that has been known to cause problems......based on my numerous observations on this forum.  The only advice I can give you is to completely start over and follow the correct procedure.
    I'm not an Acer employee.
  • JordanB
    JordanB ACE Posts: 3,729 Pathfinder
    edited February 2018
    @padgett

    The procedure might not work on Spin1 if it's Apollo Lake.  You might have to do some googling if you have Apollo Lake.  Bay Trail, Cherry Trail, and Apollo Lake users seem to have their own unique problems that I don't fully understand (and haven't taken the time to understand.)

    There's some posts in the linux section of this forum about Apollo Lake if you have Apollo Lake.  I don't know if you have Apollo Lake but some Spin1 are Apollo Lake.

    https://community.acer.com/en/discussion/534636/acer-spin-1-sp111-32n-cant-boot-any-linux-from-usb#latest
    I'm not an Acer employee.
  • padgett
    padgett ACE Posts: 4,532 Pathfinder
    edited February 2018

    You are correct, both SOCs for the Spin1 (N3350, N4200) are Apollo Lake and Grub 2.02 (Ubuntu, Debian, Kali) is not supported, only Grub 2.03 (Manjaro). Unfortunately I am not really well versed in Linux and it seems to be required for a fix.

    Found this which seems to have an answer. Note: they talk about two flash drives. As near as I can tell the first is being used to update the BIOS which the Spin 1 should not need.


  • jici79
    jici79 Member Posts: 34 Die Hard WiFi Icon
    Linux is very good but due to the lack of collaboration from some company's they have to go with trial and errors and it can be a bit hard with new hardware. They always catch up a couple of months later or sometime you just need to find the right package to install to make the computer fully functional. Once you get used to it you don't wana go back...........

    They only thing for me is that i will put aside my favorite distro ( Debian ) for a while and go with Mint ( second favorite ) because wifi and vieo card will work out of the box.
  • jici79
    jici79 Member Posts: 34 Die Hard WiFi Icon
    edited February 2018
    @JordanB
    Juste want to make sure: I have to do Step 4 BEFORE installing linux on the machine?


    1. Make sure secure boot is enabled.
    2. Set a supervisor password
    3. Insert your linux USB
    4. Add Grub to trusted secure boot settings.....see link below.  example Ubuntu......   \EFI\ubuntu\grubx64.efi
    5. Install linux

    By the way the F12 command is enough for me i don't need the GRUB screen
  • jici79
    jici79 Member Posts: 34 Die Hard WiFi Icon
    @JordanB

    You said there is an issue with Apollo Lake. Is the procedure good with Kaby lake?
  • JackE
    JackE ACE Posts: 45,071 Trailblazer
    Still think you oughta try VMWare. My SuSE distro works fine even on a lowly Aspire One netbook. Your avatar might even seem happier! 8^) Jack E/NJ

    Jack E/NJ

  • JordanB
    JordanB ACE Posts: 3,729 Pathfinder
    edited February 2018
    @jici79

    kaby lake is fine. But you should be using the latest.  E.g. Ubuntu 17.xx


    Go in to Windows disk management and delete your Linux installation.  And then follow those 5 steps. 

    Edit: use Rufus to create your Ubuntu or mint installation media. 
    I'm not an Acer employee.
  • padgett
    padgett ACE Posts: 4,532 Pathfinder
    edited February 2018

    OK, have used the method  suggested for rEFInd, downloaded the Ubuntu Gnome as suggested and have gotten the menu to display but when selected I get a "cannot find vmlinuz.efi" which is probably because I do not have one (and want to boot directly anyway).

    So the samle has

    "menuentry "Try Ubuntu GNOME" {
        loader  /casper/vmlinuz.efi
        options "file=/cdrom/preseed/ubuntu-gnome.seed boot=casper quiet splash ---"
        initrd    /casper/initrd.lz"

    From the sample file is obviously rong since do not have either the files listed nor a cdrom.

    Then I tried

    "menuentry Ubuntu {
        loader /EFI/refind_x64.efi"

    Which failed since refind_x64.efi is an "invalid loader" but at least getting a menu and errors. Will boot into Windows.

    Any suggestions ? My Refind directory has a Whole Bunch of EFI files but seem to relate to disk formats.

  • JordanB
    JordanB ACE Posts: 3,729 Pathfinder
    @jici79

    You should create a USB factory default recovery drive and put it in a safe place......in case you ever need to restore your computer to factory settings.   

    https://us.answers.acer.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/38147/session/L2F2LzEvdGltZS8xNDQ4Mzk3NzMxL3NpZC90a1BGY2tDbQ==#_ga=2.101655361.1984655393.1517600380-2062190476.1511418999
    I'm not an Acer employee.
  • JordanB
    JordanB ACE Posts: 3,729 Pathfinder
    @padgett

    I don't have any suggestions.  But I think you should start a new topic since you have a different, unique model.  It will only confuse people talking about Spin1 in this topic since it's not typical of most Acer laptops.
    I'm not an Acer employee.
  • padgett
    padgett ACE Posts: 4,532 Pathfinder

    Well we do not have a Linux section and more than the Spin 1 used the Apollo Lake.

    Intel® Pentium® Processor J4205
    Intel® Pentium® Processor N4200     
    Intel® Celeron® Processor J3455 
    Intel® Celeron® Processor J3355    
    Intel® Celeron® Processor N3350   
    Intel® Celeron® Processor N3450      
    Intel Atom® x7-E3950 Processor    
    Intel Atom® x5-E3940 Processor       
    Intel Atom® x5-E3930 Processor

  • JordanB
    JordanB ACE Posts: 3,729 Pathfinder
    @padgett

    Please click on the link below and you'll discover the linux section of the forum.

    https://community.acer.com/en/categories/linux
    I'm not an Acer employee.
  • jici79
    jici79 Member Posts: 34 Die Hard WiFi Icon
    edited February 2018
    @JordanB

    Followed the steps. When i try to boot on the USB stick to install when i click on install i get the message that secure boot prevented from booting.................

    I guess that's why i read you have to disable secure boot prior to install.....

    Did you try this procedure yourself or found it on the web ?

    Wait i made a mistake wrong usb so wrong distro......
  • jici79
    jici79 Member Posts: 34 Die Hard WiFi Icon
    edited February 2018
    @JordanB

    I was able to enter into the live Mint

    BUT to install all the proprietary drivers to make wifi, video card etc working you must disable secure boot and there's a prompt to choose a password in order to disable the secure boot from the installation process..................

    That's the reason why people say to disable secure boot before to install linux....
  • JordanB
    JordanB ACE Posts: 3,729 Pathfinder
    edited February 2018
    @jici79

    I understand that you're confused.  It confused me also.  Don't disable Secure Boot in the BIOS.  During installation, I ticked the box to disable secure boot and I created a secure boot password when asked by Ubuntu....to get your proprietary wifi and intel drivers.  Write the password down.  It's  unlikely that you'll ever need to use that password though.   
    After Ubuntu installs, it will need to restart and then you can use the F12 key to boot Ubuntu.

    After you get Ubuntu up and running, you can use terminal to verify that secure boot is enabled.....which may or may not mean that secure boot is enabled at the kernel level or that you have a hardened system (probably not)  Please note that I'm giving you instructions for Ubuntu 17.10 because it's been a while since I installed Mint, but I assume it's the same procedure with Mint, but I can't remember.  





    Note: My instructions are what I personally do and it works for me.  But it may not be the best way....from a secure boot standpoint.   If you need more help or are unsure of your secure boot state, you can check the Mint or Ubuntu forums.  Good luck!











    I'm not an Acer employee.
  • jici79
    jici79 Member Posts: 34 Die Hard WiFi Icon
    @JordanB

    Thanks for the info. I was wondering what to do. Secure boot is enabled in the BIOS. MInt is based on Ubuntu so should be the exact same thing. I will use the prompt in MInt installation as you are saying!!! I'll post the results when done. Probably tomorrow or monday
  • JordanB
    JordanB ACE Posts: 3,729 Pathfinder
    edited February 2018
    @jici79

    After you install Ubuntu, it will prompt you to reboot.  On this very first reboot, the MOK utility manager will automatically run and prompt you with some options.  From what I remember, I just selected "continue booting".  It's my understanding that the only reason you'd want to make changes in the MOK Utility Manager is if you build your own kernel which may not be accurate.  
    I'm not an Acer employee.
  • JordanB
    JordanB ACE Posts: 3,729 Pathfinder
    edited February 2018
    @jici79

    I edited my last couple posts since I had told you wrong about disabling secure boot when you're trying to get the proprietary drivers (wifi, microcode, etc).
    You do have to tick the box to disable secure boot and enter a password to get proprietary drivers when you reach that point of the installation.

    Also, you're probably going to need to check with Canonical/Ubuntu about how to find out if you have a hardened system.  Because from what I'm reading in links below, you really need to have keys to have a hardened system.  As I said in my previous post, when I get to the MOK Management Utility, I just hit "continue boot"........so I guess I don't have a hardened Ubuntu.  But it works for me.

    The best source for understanding secure boot is probably official Canonical or official Ubuntu publications.

    https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UEFI/SecureBoot

    https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UEFI/SecureBoot/Testing

    Good luck!!



    I'm not an Acer employee.
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