I have tried to install Ubuntu alongside Windows 8.1 on my portable DELL Inspiron.
I have been through problems, which, everytime I tried to solve, brought other bigger problems...
First, I installed Ubuntu 12.04 (from official website) with a burnt DVD. (Legacy mode)
I partitionned my hard disk :
- 5Gb, type : ext4, mount point : /
- 6Gb, type : ext4, mount point : /home
- 1Gb, type : swap
- 2Mb, I don't remember the type, but the installation device adviced me to do that
The installation worked, but when I restarted, I had a black screen
So I decided to install Ubuntu 13.10 (official website) with a burnt DVD too. (Legacy mode)
I formatted the ext4 partitions and installed ubuntu 13.10
The installation worked, but when I restarted, I had an error : "variable root isn't set" and the loading screen of ubuntu couldn't finish.
So I decided to use the boot-repair disk. I burnt it on a CD and ran it. (Legacy mode)
I followed the instructions, but when I restarted, I had this error : "invalid arch independent ELF magic" "grub rescue> "
So I ran the boot-repair disk again, still the same error.
However, when booting in UEFI mode (to access Windows), I didn't have this error.
(remark : when executing the boot-repair disk instructions, I had this error :"Fatal : could not open either sysfs or procfs directories for accessing EFI variables. Try 'modprobe efivars' as root")
At last, booting in UEFI, boot secure option disabled, I have now this GRUB screen :
- Ubuntu with Linux 3.8.0-35-generic
- Ubuntu with Linux 3.8.0-35-generic (recovery mode)
- Previous Linux versions
- Windows UEFI recovery bkpbootmgfw.efi
- Windows boot UEFI recovery
- Windows recovery environment (loader) (on /dev/sda1)
- Windows (on /dev/sda5)
- System set up
When I choose Windows recovery environment (loader) (on /dev/sda1) or Windows (on /dev/sda5), I have this error : unknown command 'drivemap'
invalid EFI file path
.
When I choose Windows UEFI recovery bkpbootmgfw.efi or Windows boot UEFI recovery, it's OK, I can reach and use Windows.
When I choose Ubuntu with Linux 3.8.0-35-generic, I can see some bluetooth error, and then I have the unavoidable black screen.
When I choose Ubuntu with Linux 3.8.0-35-generic (recovery mode), it's OK, I have a menu where I can choose several options. So then, I chose graphic safe mode -> reconfigure graphics (default), and then, low graphics boot for one session, and then update grub bootloader. At last, I clicked on standard boot, and I reached for the first time the ubuntu desktop. I restarted, but the Ubuntu with Linux 3.8.0-35-generic choice still gives me a black screen.
Besides, booting UEFI with boot secure option enable, gives me for the first time : "secure boot violation, invalid signature detected. Check secure boot policy on setup", and then "internal hard disk drive not found blablabla, no bootable devices blablabla".
From this message, I have several options, I chose "check PSA" or something like that. I am waiting now for the checking.
What afraid me is that now, to access Windows, I must go through one of the two boot recovery GRUB options, AND also must have the boot secure option disabled.
What annoy me is that I still can't use Linux on my computer (which is new, I bought it 2 weeks ago...), and I need it to work.
Any help ??? please.....