2013/05/17

Dual boot windows 8 and linux distros in UEFI, secure boot ...

Update: I could solve this issue in my latest attempt. You can see the steps I followed here.
This is not my artwork, but thought I must share.
Warning: I am not a Linux expert, but am just sharing some points noted during attempts to install linux dual booted with Windows 8.

This is the details of my attempts to install linux distros to dual boot with my newly bought Sony Viao SVS1312 series Windows 8 preloaded laptop.. (No success until May 2013, and my windows 8 had to be reinstalled)

The laptop is 64 bit which has an UEFI boot loader and secure boot from microsoft, which hinders installation of any other OS in the laptop (unless it contain the secure key authenticated by microsoft!).

From the linux distro forums, it is clear that Redhat and Ubuntu obtained the secure key and is able to install in any microsoft OS preloaded computer with secureboot option. Normally latest Fedora and Ubuntu, Kubuntu, Edubuntu 13.10 onwards comes with secure boot enabled key.

!! For any linux distro CD/DVD to boot, make sure (Find ways to reach your bios settings menu. 'Assist' button in case of Sony Viao laptops).
- that you enabled the boot using external drives
- make the optical drive prior to internal hard disk.

Trial 1:
- Used ubuntu 12.04, linux mint.
- Demo modes worked well in both cases.
- Warning! No ubuntu distros older than 13.10 (and latest fedore 18) have the secureboot key.

- Installation with secure boot, UEFI disabled.
Result
= Won't see windows 8 anymore, though it is there. Will not boot since UEFI disabled

- UEFI, secureboot enabled
Result
= Will directly load windows 8.
= Linux not detected as the secureboot enabled.

- UEFI enabled, secureboot disabled
Result
= Will try to load windows 8 but shows an error message (because secureboot settings).

-Disabled UEFI and secureboot to load Ubuntu and used Boot-Repair.
! Boot-Repair could not fix the problem as promised in many forums. It says the EFI partition is locked or something similar.

Trial 2:
- Used edubuntu 12.10 for 64 bit (supposed to have the secureboot key within)
- Both UEFI and secureboot disabled.
- Demo desktop worked well. This is necessary if you have a wifi internet connection. Installation without internet is also possible.
- Used install button on the desktop.
- Installation stopped abruptly at the end when checking 'grub boot loader dummy'.
- It tries to make a log file about the error and send to the developers website, but the internet connection breaks and file is not sent.

- Later also tried with UEFI enabled, secureboot disabled

Trial 3:
- Used Ubuntu 13.04 for 64 bit (also with secureboot key)
- Could boot with the DVD with UEFI, secureboot enabled!
- Crashed a few times similar to Trial 2, while installing. Same error.
- Third time the installation showed successful.

- While booting, GRUB menu showed with both Ubuntu and Windows 8 partitions.
- Ubuntu works fine if UEFI enabled, secureboot disabled.
- BUT no success with Windows 8. If opted, it shows EFI partition not found.

- Again tried Boot-Repair. But it could not fix the issue.

- Later when secureboot enabled, Windows 8 crashed completely.
- Tried all options in system recovery mode using Windows 8, no success.
- Tried fixing using command prompt. Could see all the volumes.
! No letter assigned to the EFI boot loader.
! You can assign a letter. But no further success.
! There is a directory named 'ubuntu' in the EFI partition. There are 2 files within, with strange names and hence could not delete even using force.
!!System screwed!!
!! Finally had to take it to the shop where I bought.

Note: Those who have Windows 8 laptops. Please make a bootable DVD from your system. The service centre said they will charge 60-70€ if you did not make one!!

Will update..