Install ubuntu on mac refit

The trouble is that Ubuntu doesn't support installing to a Mac in EFI mode, at least not as of version Some sources claim that this now works on some later versions, but I haven't tested this claim—indeed, I lack the hardware to do so! The bit Ubuntu installation discs lack EFI support. Ubuntu has also released bit disc images for Macs.

Ironically, these boot only in BIOS mode! Therefore, to rid your computer of the dangerous hybrid MBR, you'll need to jump through some hoops. An alternative to all of this is to run Ubuntu in a virtual environment, such as VirtualBox. This can be a good solution in some cases, but it doesn't give Linux direct access to the hardware and you'll lose some speed. These include:. Enthusiasts have been working to get Windows to boot in EFI mode on Macs, with some progress and considerable pain.

See this thread on MacRumors, for example. This goal appears to be more attainable with Windows 8 than with Windows 7, and success depends on your specific Mac model. It's possible that your preferred distribution already supports direct EFI installation, in which case the problem of installing to a Mac in EFI mode may not exist.

Check your distribution's documentation to be sure. I've tested this procedure only on my first-generation Intel-based Mac Mini. It's possible that the bit version has different requirements, or you may need to do things differently on newer bit Macs. For some reason, although I was able to install Ubuntu If you have this problem, you'll have to install rEFInd before you can install Ubuntu.

With these items in hand, you can proceed with installing Ubuntu, and then fix it up so that it doesn't use a hybrid MBR.

rEFIt - An EFI Boot Menu and Toolkit

If you've already got a working dual-boot configuration with OS X and Ubuntu, you can skip this section and jump ahead to "Fixing the Installation. When the installation finishes, the computer will reboot—straight into Mac OS X! See the below note if it doesn't boot, though. You must now proceed with fixing it up in various ways If by chance your computer won't boot, try booting the Ubuntu installer but click Try Ubuntu to run it in its live CD mode. With any luck, OS X will start up again, and you can proceed with step 8. If you've followed the directions, your computer should now be booted into OS X, looking very much like it did before.

Ubuntu is installed, however, and your disk has a hybrid MBR.

You must now take steps to return the hybrid MBR to a safer protective MBR, as the GPT standard requires, and to set up a boot loader that enables you to select which OS to boot when the computer powers up. To do so, follow these steps:. The rEFInd installation instructions presented here are simplified. You should see the rEFInd boot manager screen. Beginner Geek: Hard Disk Partitions Explained. How much space you want for Linux is up to you.

Drag and drop the handle on the partition volume or enter a final size for the partition and click Partition to partition it. Restart your computer and rEFInd will appear. On Ubuntu, launch the Install Ubuntu application from the desktop and install Ubuntu as you normally would.

Avoid long EFI wait before GRUB

The installation process should otherwise be normal. Core 2 Duo machines can use bit or bit ISOs. Instead, you burn the image onto a disc. It's kind of like mixing Cool-Aid. You don't just drop the packet ISO into the water disc , you must open the packet and dump the contents into the water. If you do not see this option, try pressing the Option key when your computer starts. Booting into Ubuntu this way takes many minutes, including a minutes-long period where Ubuntu appears to have locked up on the boot menu.

Most likely it has not.

Just wait! If you press function f6 at the boot options screen you can choose that option. Note 2: I had to press function f6 when I saw a man and keyboard. Once booted, you have a Ubuntu desktop. This will be the only partition with the EXT4 file system. When the installer is finished, reboot. Fix the Partition Tables There is a bug in the installer that causes a problem on Macs. Describe problem?

It can be fixed with rEFIt. If you don't have an English keyboard, note that the keys "Z" and "Y" are swapped in the partition tool. For suggestions on other ways to fix the table, see the discussion at Ubuntu on MacBookPro - difficulties w partition tables. This is best explained in this post - boot a live Ubuntu CD the instructions say this is also possible from an OS X terminal , install and run the gdisk tool as the instructions say. You should now be able to boot into Ubuntu.

This is the reason why some extra attention is needed for partitioning layouts in Intel Macs to get what you want. Mac OSX can be installed on an external drive, and Linux on an external is possible with the installation of a small boot partition on the HD. If Windows is installed, rules apply to choice of partition, and this depends on Windows version Vista or XP. Some methods used for Vista will not work for XP.

It is not intended to detail all the possible combinations here, but some general rules and examples of multi-booting partition arrangements and tools required are shown to help you choose. Some of these require extra enthusiasm, and the more complex, the more need for backup. Triple Boot: This screen shot shows an example OSX The external drive was partitioned the same way. This method requires careful choice of partition formats if MS Windows is involved. The following screen shot shows the same partitoning and resizing options as seen in ubuntu desktop gparted.

Install windows normally. Start your computer with the Ubuntu disk in the drive. Install Ubuntu by partitioning the boot camp drive that Windows is located on, and install both Ubuntu and GRUB bootloader onto the new partition. This will allow you to boot into every operating system on boot.

Shrink OSX to final size, make empty partition with room for ubuntu. This has not been tested.

The rEFIt Project

Changing "boot. Back-up all data using "Time machine" and repair disk permissions. Make sure you have the currently running OSX installation disk ready and your system is up to date. Insert Windows CD and reboot holding C when you hear the beeping sound. Windows installation should start, follow the usual installation process of Windows. Update your Apple Software there will be an option on the start menu to do so.

Update Windows XP.