Comment 55 for bug 8497

If you're feeling particularly adventurous you could build the kernel EDD module.

1. Install the kernel-source from GIT (https://wiki.ubuntu.com/KernelGitGuide) or use

$ sudo apt-get install linux-source
$ sudo tar -xjf linux-source-2.6.22.tar.bz2
$ cd /usr/src/linux-source-2.6.22

2. Edit debian/config/*/config matching the PC's architecture e.g:

$ sudo sed -i 's/# CONFIG_EDD is not set/CONFIG_EDD=m/' debian/config/*/config

3. Build the kernel package (See https://wiki.ubuntu.com/KernelMaintenance)

$ fakeroot debian/rules binary-arch

4. Install the edd module (not the entire custom kernel)

$ sudo cp drivers/firmware/edd.ko /lib/modules/$(uname -r)/kernel/drivers/firmware/
$ sudo depmod -a
$ modinfo edd

You should see the module's basic details. If you do you can go ahead and load it:

$ sudo modprobe edd

5. Now check sysfs for what EDD reports:

$ ls /sys/firmware/edd/int13_dev8?/
$ cat /sys/firmware/edd/int13_dev8?/mbr_signature

This assumes the BIOS that supports EDD, and that edd has access to libx86