UEFI Build Test

[Valtam]

Thank you firenice03

[gold_finger]

I've created 3 partitions on the disk... Screenshots after the error
- The EFI partition tried both EFI (cannot select for loader) and Bios Grub (selected for loader)
Grub error on both
- A swap partition
- A root "/" partition

LL files/OS appear to install ("/" has typical LL file structure) - Grub portion fails...

firenice03,

In case you weren't aware, you need to set a mount point for the "EFI System Partition" during install -- I think that might be why grub failed to install.  On partition selection page after choosing "Something else", highlight the 550MB FAT32 partition, click "Change" button, then:

• "Use as" = EFI boot partition, (or similar wording).  I believe selecting that will automatically make installer know that the mount point for the partition is "/boot/efi"; but if you do see a separate box for "Mount point" after filling in the "Use as" box, fill-in as seen below.
  
• "Mount point" = /boot/efi  (this step may or may not show -- see above)
  
• Keep size as-is
  
• Hit "OK"
  

Then you should be able to select "/dev/mmcblk1pt1" as "Device for boot loader installation" near bottom of window and grub should install properly.


Incidentally, (just for information purposes), attempting to install grub to that partition as "bios_grub" probably failed for one of several possible reasons (most likely one being listed first below):

• If you're live dvd/usb is booted in UEFI/EFI mode, it won't use a "bios_grub" partition, even if you try to point to it.  That partition is only used for Legacy/Bios mode installs to a GPT disk.
  
• If you were booted in Legacy/Bios mode for the install (doubtful in your case), that partition needs to be "unformatted", (not FAT32), and the "bios_grub" flag needs to be set on it.
  
• In Legacy/Bios mode install, "Device for boot loader installation" should be directed to the MBR of the drive, not to the "bios_grub" partition.  (Eg.  to "/dev/mmcblk1" in your screenshot, not "/dev/mmcblk1pt1".)
  

[Valtam]

firenice03, please give what gold_finger suggested a go.

[firenice03]

[quote author=firenice03 link=topic=2611.msg20341#msg20341 date=1453439934]
I've created 3 partitions on the disk... Screenshots after the error
- The EFI partition tried both EFI (cannot select for loader) and Bios Grub (selected for loader)
Grub error on both
- A swap partition
- A root "/" partition

LL files/OS appear to install ("/" has typical LL file structure) - Grub portion fails...

firenice03,

In case you weren't aware, you need to set a mount point for the "EFI System Partition" during install -- I think that might be why grub failed to install.  On partition selection page after choosing "Something else", highlight the 550MB FAT32 partition, click "Change" button, then:

• "Use as" = EFI boot partition, (or similar wording).  I believe selecting that will automatically make installer know that the mount point for the partition is "/boot/efi"; but if you do see a separate box for "Mount point" after filling in the "Use as" box, fill-in as seen below.
  
• "Mount point" = /boot/efi  (this step may or may not show -- see above)
  
• Keep size as-is
  
• Hit "OK"
  

Then you should be able to select "/dev/mmcblk1pt1" as "Device for boot loader installation" near bottom of window and grub should install properly.


Incidentally, (just for information purposes), attempting to install grub to that partition as "bios_grub" probably failed for one of several possible reasons (most likely one being listed first below):

• If you're live dvd/usb is booted in UEFI/EFI mode, it won't use a "bios_grub" partition, even if you try to point to it.  That partition is only used for Legacy/Bios mode installs to a GPT disk.
  
• If you were booted in Legacy/Bios mode for the install (doubtful in your case), that partition needs to be "unformatted", (not FAT32), and the "bios_grub" flag needs to be set on it.
  
• In Legacy/Bios mode install, "Device for boot loader installation" should be directed to the MBR of the drive, not to the "bios_grub" partition.  (Eg.  to "/dev/mmcblk1" in your screenshot, not "/dev/mmcblk1pt1".)
  

[/quote]

Thanks gold-finger.. I'll give it a few more go's = I won't be able to get back to it till this evening..

I tried installing as both EFI and Bios_Grub from the options...
- If I recall when choosing the EFI option, it didn't allow me to enter a mount point (/boot/efi) and I believe "/dev/mmcblk1pt1" wasn't a choice for "Device for boot loader installation"
The screenshots were after the error and restarting the installer ...

I tried various ways; even a clean wipe, formatting the efi partition in Windows assuring a gpt/efi partition was wrote to the disk..

I'll capture screenshots of the configuration as I move through the installer...

Thanks again!!

[gold_finger]

You need to make sure the dvd/usb gets booted in UEFI/EFI mode first, otherwise UEFI install will fail.


Boot the dvd/usb, open a terminal and run this command:

Code:

ls /sys/firmware

If you see "efi" listed in the output, then you're booted in UEFI mode and can go ahead with install attempt.  If not, then you need to reboot and look for an option that boots the dvd/usb in UEFI mode.

[firenice03]

You need to make sure the dvd/usb gets booted in UEFI/EFI mode first, otherwise UEFI install will fail.


Boot the dvd/usb, open a terminal and run this command:

Code:

ls /sys/firmware

If you see "efi" listed in the output, then you're booted in UEFI mode and can go ahead with install attempt.  If not, then you need to reboot and look for an option that boots the dvd/usb in UEFI mode.

Yes I confirmed the output, efi was listed.. I checked BIOS prior to install, efi is the only available option..
I can turn secure boot off (which was done), thus allowing the LiveUSB to boot..

For example - I have the multi-boot live usb, which I added the "LL efi build" iso to it; bios would not recognize that stick as a bootable option. My guess is that there wasn't an efi/gpt partition - FWIW that stick was built with "Yumi".
The stick that works use, was built with "win32diskimage" and only contains the "LL efi build" iso.

I'll grab a few screen shots of the BIOS options - if you think it would be helpful (or for future install documentation).

Thanks

*Update*
The more I think about.. I think the missing mount point "/boot/efi" may be the wrench.. I'm almost certain the mount point wasn't available to manually enter.. Again from memory...

[firenice03]

This will be a long post w/ lots of pics...
So tried installing...

EFI=Firmware
Command line output

Code:

ls /sys/firmware

Started off - Wiped drive to let the installer handle



Creating EFI 2 pics (note: EXT4=mount point available | EFI=no mount point)
EXT4 was just to compare - EFI was choosen





Created swap and root "/" 2 pics





Summary



Prompt to Write



Error and Install Crashed 2 pics





Re-ran installer and gparted to compare partitions:



Other options available to "Use as:"

[gold_finger]

Looks like you're doing everything correctly, so not sure what is going wrong.

One thing I can't tell from pics is whether you formatted the drive you're installing to as GPT or not.  It must be GPT for UEFI installs.  Enter this command and see what it says for the LL drive:

Code:

sudo parted --list | grep 'Table'

Report back with what is shows for BOTH the Windows and the LL drive please.

I can't remember if you said what type of machine you're installing to or not, but if it's a small tablet type system or maybe even some small netbook it's possible that you're dealing with a 32-bit UEFI instead of the much more common 64-bit UEFI.  If that's the case LL won't install.  It's pretty rare, but there are machines with a 32-bit UEFI and a 32-bit Windows install on them.  Best way to tell what you've got is to boot into Windows and open up system info section of control center (or whatever they call it).  It should tell you what type of Windows is installed.

If it's 32-bit Windows, then forget about trying to install LL -- it won't work.

If it's 64-bit Windows, then I'm not sure what is causing the problem (assuming the drive you're installing to is formatted as GPT).  Maybe try again and this time tick the box to format the LL EFI Boot partition.  (I noticed the box wasn't ticked in your prior screenshot.  Honestly I doubt that will solve it, but who knows?)

[firenice03]

It looks like true 64.. Win 10.. Here's some screenshots while I boot back to the LiveUSB..





Sorry they're Windoz screens  :-[
I'll check the table in LL too, to confirm...

**Update**
Both disk tables in LL show the 2 as GPT.
Checked installer - for the EFI partition, format is grayed/not selectable...
I'm wiping the USB out and redoing, if perhaps something is corrupt within...
I'll keep y'all posted

[firenice03]

Well think I may have completely over thought this one?? ?? ??  >  :

Googled the error, looks like a connection to the Internet resolves it.. Sadly, I looked at that every time thinking I'm saving a few minutes on the install and I'll do after..

I should have confirmation here in a few... Upside if it corrects it, its an easy fix and definitely one for the books... 8)