Ubuntu CD Images

Bug #1025555
Comment #44

Comment 44 for bug 1025555

Revision history for this message

Jonathan (miareggeti) wrote on 2013-09-09: Re: Ubuntu i386 images are not compatible with 32-bit UEFI computers

#44

WARNING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I have only tested this when booting only ubuntu. Dual-booting has not been tested by this.
If you plan to dual-boot, then USE AT YOUR OWN RISK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

==============================Workaround==============================

Note: Read ALL the instructions before preforming this, up to the set of ==== signs.

First, MAKE A FULL DISK BACKUP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Then enable "CSM" (Compatibility Support Module) or Legacy (BIOS) mode. If you do not have this option available, then this workaround will not work :( .
Boot an Ubuntu 12.04 32-bit disk. Use GParted to WIPE EVERYTHING (create a new partition table). This action can NOT be undone. Make a new partition labeled "EFI" (about 200 MB of space, FAT32 format). After the formatting completes, mount it:

sudo mount /dev/sda1 /mnt

Add a folder called "boot". This folder will be empty.
Add a folder called "EFI". Add a sub-folder called "Ubuntu". Leave it empty.
Unmount (the command is called umount, not a spelling error):

sudo umount /dev/sda1

Start the installer. Choose the "Something Else" option. Add a new "swap" partition (make it the size of your memory). Then make a new "ext4" partition with mount-point of "/". Then click the partition labeled "EFI" and select "Change". For the mount point, type in "/boot/efi" (without quotes). Click "Install now"
Ignore warnings about making a BIOS partition, or elimination of files in /etc, /usr, /var... This will not affect the EFI partition.
Reboot, remove CD/DVD when prompted. Keep legacy mode ON.
Once ubuntu has booted from the HDD (or SSD), install "Synaptic". Then launch synaptic (enter password when prompted). Use it to install "grub-efi-ia32". This will install/uninstall other programs as well. Click apply.
Wait...
Reboot. Turn legacy/CSM to OFF. Problem (should be) solved.
---
If ubuntu doesn't boot, then press a key like F9, F12, ESC, or another key to choose which device to boot. Choose "Boot from EFI file" Select a drive labeled "EFI". Select EFI. Select Ubuntu. Select "grubia32.efi" or "boot.efi". Let ubuntu boot.
---
If you are dropped to an EFI shell, do the same as above, except type "exit" (without quotes) instead of pressing a key.
---
Anything else goes wrong, use your backup to restore to its original state.
======================================================================

WARNING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I have only tested this when booting only ubuntu. Dual-booting has not been tested by this.
If you plan to dual-boot, then USE AT YOUR OWN RISK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

==============================Workaround==============================

Note: Read ALL the instructions before preforming this, up to the set of ==== signs.

sudo mount /dev/sda1 /mnt

Add a folder called "boot". This folder will be empty.
Add a folder called "EFI". Add a sub-folder called "Ubuntu". Leave it empty.
Unmount (the command is called umount, not a spelling error):

sudo umount /dev/sda1

Start the installer. Choose the "Something Else" option. Add a new "swap" partition (make it the size of your memory). Then make a new "ext4" partition with mount-point of "/". Then click the partition labeled "EFI" and select "Change". For the mount point, type in "/boot/efi" (without quotes). Click "Install now"
Ignore warnings about making a BIOS partition, or elimination of files in /etc, /usr, /var... This will not affect the EFI partition. 
Reboot, remove CD/DVD when prompted. Keep legacy mode ON.
Once ubuntu has booted from the HDD (or SSD), install "Synaptic". Then launch synaptic (enter password when prompted). Use it to install "grub-efi-ia32". This will install/uninstall other programs as well. Click apply.
Wait...
Reboot. Turn legacy/CSM to OFF. Problem (should be) solved.
---
If ubuntu doesn't boot, then press a key like F9, F12, ESC, or another key to choose which device to boot. Choose "Boot from EFI file" Select a drive labeled "EFI". Select EFI. Select Ubuntu. Select "grubia32.efi" or "boot.efi". Let ubuntu boot.
---
If you are dropped to an EFI shell, do the same as above, except type "exit" (without quotes) instead of pressing a key.
---
Anything else goes wrong, use your backup to restore to its original state.
======================================================================