Problem with legacy installation: no EFI partition [ABANDONED]

[PCNetSpec]

Okay, have fun doing whatever you're doing .. later Slim

[Slim.Fatz]

Hi PCNetSpec,

Back again (and it was rather fun: I picked up a case of (organic-)wine that a friend brought back for me from a trip to southern France; then I bought a six pack of Benediktiner Helles Lagerbier on the way home; and now I'm enjoying a great dry gin martini -- at least something in life is working well, even if my Peppermint Ten install efforts are not  ).


Ok, so I burned the fresh DL of Peppermint Ten to the USB, booted it and attempted the chroot/grub-install dance again -- unfortunately with the same error: cannot find EFI directory. So why did the installation of earlier Peppermint versions not fail on this computer??  Something must have been changed in the Ubuntu installation code.


On to business: the new live session is also acting crazy!! I cannot start firefox

Code: [Select]

/usr/sbin/firefox: line 1: 2645 Bus error   env GTK_THEME=Peppermint-10-Red-Mixed /usr/bin/firefox "$@"

and I cannot start the text editor to show you the complete output of fdisk -l:

Code: [Select]

xed: error while loading shared libraries: /usr/lib/x86_64-linux-gnu/xed/libxed.so: cannot read file data: Input/output error

I don't know about you, but I'm beginning to worry. 


Do you think that my USB stick is defective?
 
Tell me what you want to see from the outputs of fdisk -l and blkid and I will copy that over in my next reply.

Regards,

-- Slim

[PCNetSpec]

I'm more inclined to think the HDD (or at least the filesystem) is defective/corrupt.

(or maybe memory)

[EDIT]

Ignore that, YES if xed now isn't working from the LiveUSB (and it was before) then it's likely a USB I/O issue .. try another USB stick

[Slim.Fatz]

Hi PCNetSpec,

New USB, more or less the same problems/errors -- but I can start firefox (using it now in the live session to write this) and xed. So here are the outputs:

Spoiler (click here to view / hide)

root@peppermint / # sudo fdisk -l
Disk /dev/loop0: 1,4 GiB, 1472348160 bytes, 2875680 sectors
Units: sectors of 1 * 512 = 512 bytes
Sector size (logical/physical): 512 bytes / 512 bytes
I/O size (minimum/optimal): 512 bytes / 512 bytes


Disk /dev/sda: 465,8 GiB, 500107862016 bytes, 976773168 sectors
Units: sectors of 1 * 512 = 512 bytes
Sector size (logical/physical): 512 bytes / 4096 bytes
I/O size (minimum/optimal): 4096 bytes / 4096 bytes
Disklabel type: dos
Disk identifier: 0x000229af

Device     Boot     Start       End   Sectors  Size Id Type
/dev/sda1            2048  62525040  62522993 29,8G 83 Linux
/dev/sda2        62525041 976771071 914246031  436G  5 Extended
/dev/sda5        62525043 844761959 782236917  373G 83 Linux
/dev/sda6       968536064 976771071   8235008  3,9G 82 Linux swap / Solaris
/dev/sda7       906981768 968526719  61544952 29,4G 83 Linux
/dev/sda8  *    844763136 906981766  62218631 29,7G 83 Linux

Partition 2 does not start on physical sector boundary.
Partition 5 does not start on physical sector boundary.
Partition table entries are not in disk order.




Disk /dev/sdb: 29,8 GiB, 32008830976 bytes, 62517248 sectors
Units: sectors of 1 * 512 = 512 bytes
Sector size (logical/physical): 512 bytes / 512 bytes
I/O size (minimum/optimal): 512 bytes / 512 bytes
Disklabel type: dos
Disk identifier: 0x6b8b4567

Device     Boot Start     End Sectors  Size Id Type
/dev/sdb1  *        0 3057663 3057664  1,5G  0 Empty
/dev/sdb2         924    5595    4672  2,3M ef EFI (FAT-12/16/32)


Disk /dev/zram0: 483,4 MiB, 506900480 bytes, 123755 sectors
Units: sectors of 1 * 4096 = 4096 bytes
Sector size (logical/physical): 4096 bytes / 4096 bytes
I/O size (minimum/optimal): 4096 bytes / 4096 bytes


Disk /dev/zram1: 483,4 MiB, 506900480 bytes, 123755 sectors
Units: sectors of 1 * 4096 = 4096 bytes
Sector size (logical/physical): 4096 bytes / 4096 bytes
I/O size (minimum/optimal): 4096 bytes / 4096 bytes


Disk /dev/zram2: 483,4 MiB, 506900480 bytes, 123755 sectors
Units: sectors of 1 * 4096 = 4096 bytes
Sector size (logical/physical): 4096 bytes / 4096 bytes
I/O size (minimum/optimal): 4096 bytes / 4096 bytes


Disk /dev/zram3: 483,4 MiB, 506900480 bytes, 123755 sectors
Units: sectors of 1 * 4096 = 4096 bytes
Sector size (logical/physical): 4096 bytes / 4096 bytes
I/O size (minimum/optimal): 4096 bytes / 4096 bytes

[close]

and:

Spoiler (click here to view / hide)

root@peppermint / # sudo blkid/dev/sda1: UUID="af3003a8-dd0f-4130-89c8-759c166b227c" TYPE="ext4" PTTYPE="dos" PARTUUID="000229af-01"
/dev/sda5: LABEL="data" UUID="3aca02db-0ebf-446e-bc7f-4f540fba7289" TYPE="ext4" PARTUUID="000229af-05"
/dev/sda7: UUID="cea1ce2b-95ec-47c7-8fba-2cda25e0ec85" TYPE="ext4" PARTUUID="000229af-07"
/dev/sda8: UUID="3f71d648-f7b6-4dd1-bfb7-546c26f78817" TYPE="ext4" PARTUUID="000229af-08"
/dev/loop0: TYPE="squashfs"
/dev/sda6: UUID="af3c8372-93b5-49ec-92d9-680d251921e6" TYPE="swap" PARTUUID="000229af-06"
/dev/sdb1: UUID="2019-05-13-13-12-11-00" LABEL="Peppermint Ten" TYPE="iso9660" PTUUID="6b8b4567" PTTYPE="dos" PARTUUID="6b8b4567-01"
/dev/sdb2: SEC_TYPE="msdos" UUID="044E-AC17" TYPE="vfat" PARTUUID="6b8b4567-02"
/dev/zram0: UUID="104ec437-dfe5-4340-bb46-3d4f07d12ba5" TYPE="swap"
/dev/zram1: UUID="18a81d52-4424-48c3-9be3-0b9dc95cd6b3" TYPE="swap"
/dev/zram2: UUID="5208fb04-0339-4ceb-88b1-60dda15d0dd6" TYPE="swap"
/dev/zram3: UUID="a4165e8d-9e2f-47ef-bdf6-9251ec379b73" TYPE="swap"

[close]

I hope that this is something that can be resolved. 


Regards,

-- Slim

[PCNetSpec]

Okay can you give us the make/model of computer (so I can look for the manual), because for some reason the LiveUSB appears to be booting in UEFI mode.

Oh, and what are you using to create the LiveUSB ?

[Slim.Fatz]

Hi PCNetSpec,

Computer: acer  Extensa 2510. Here is the inxi info:

Spoiler (click here to view / hide)

peppermint@peppermint ~ $ inxi -Fz
System:    Host: peppermint Kernel: 4.18.0-18-generic x86_64 bits: 64 Desktop: N/A
           Distro: Peppermint Ten
Machine:   Device: laptop System: Acer product: Extensa 2510 v: V1.09 serial: N/A
           Mobo: Acer model: BA50_HB v: V1.09 serial: N/A
           UEFI: Insyde v: V1.09 date: 07/11/2014
Battery    BAT1: charge: 46.6 Wh 100.0% condition: 46.6/55.9 Wh (83%)
CPU:       Dual core Intel Core i3-4030U (-MT-MCP-) cache: 3072 KB
           clock speeds: max: 1900 MHz 1: 1150 MHz 2: 1156 MHz 3: 1169 MHz
           4: 1121 MHz
Graphics:  Card: Intel Haswell-ULT Integrated Graphics Controller
           Display Server: x11 (X.Org 1.20.1 )
           drivers: modesetting (unloaded: fbdev,vesa)
           Resolution: 1366x768@60.00hz
           OpenGL: renderer: Mesa DRI Intel Haswell Mobile version: 4.5 Mesa 18.2.8
Audio:     Card-1 Intel 8 Series HD Audio Controller driver: snd_hda_intel
           Card-2 Intel Haswell-ULT HD Audio Controller driver: snd_hda_intel
           Sound: Advanced Linux Sound Architecture v: k4.18.0-18-generic
Network:   Card-1: Realtek RTL8111/8168/8411 PCIE Gigabit Ethernet Controller
           driver: r8169
           IF: enp1s0f1 state: down mac: <filter>
           Card-2: Qualcomm Atheros QCA9565 / AR9565 Wireless Network Adapter
           driver: ath9k
           IF: wlp2s0 state: up mac: <filter>
Drives:    HDD Total Size: 532.1GB (2.1% used)
           ID-1: /dev/sda model: WDC_WD5000LPVX size: 500.1GB
           ID-2: USB /dev/sdb model: USB_Flash_Drive size: 32.0GB
Partition: ID-1: / size: 1.9G used: 160M (9%) fs: overlay dev: N/A
           ID-2: swap-1 size: 4.22GB used: 0.00GB (0%) fs: swap dev: /dev/sda6
           ID-3: swap-2 size: 0.51GB used: 0.00GB (0%) fs: swap dev: /dev/zram0
           ID-4: swap-3 size: 0.51GB used: 0.00GB (0%) fs: swap dev: /dev/zram1
           ID-5: swap-4 size: 0.51GB used: 0.00GB (0%) fs: swap dev: /dev/zram2
           ID-6: swap-5 size: 0.51GB used: 0.00GB (0%) fs: swap dev: /dev/zram3
RAID:      No RAID devices: /proc/mdstat, md_mod kernel module present
Sensors:   System Temperatures: cpu: 47.0C mobo: N/A
           Fan Speeds (in rpm): cpu: N/A
Info:      Processes: 194 Uptime: 1:34 Memory: 699.4/3867.3MB
           Client: Shell (bash) inxi: 2.3.56

[close]

I used mintstick from another installation of Peppermint Ten to create the live session usb.

Regards,

-- Slim

[PCNetSpec]

Okay that's odd, according to the manual this system doesn't even appear to support UEFI
https://www.acer.com/ac/en/ID/content/support-product/5343;-;

When you boot the LiveUSB, do you see the GRUB menu, or the graphical "Try Peppermint / Install Peppermint" screen (with the Peppermint logo) ?

And whilst booted to the LiveUSB, what's the output from

Code: [Select]

[ -d /sys/firmware/efi ] && echo "Booted as UEFI" || echo "Booted as Legacy BIOS"

Just thinking out loud here...

Maybe you could boot the LiveUSB .. install Boot Repair
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Boot-Repair

then use it to fix GRUB


If not, we're gonna need to chroot in and reinstall grub.

Do you know which partition contains the Peppermint 10 installation that failed at grub installation ?

[Slim.Fatz]

Hi PCNetSpec,

When booting the live session I get a GRUB menu with a black sort of leather-looking background (so it seems to be a graphical screen), but there is no Peppermint logo. In the BIOS settings, under the entry Boot, there is a choice to use UEFI (which I do not select).

The requested output:

Code: [Select]

Booted as UEFI

Strange but true ... 


WRT your talking to yourself at the end of your last message: I almost had done this at the beginning, but decided to wait and see if there is something else to do first (and, I must admit, I've never used the program Boot Repair before).


Regards,

-- Slim

[pin]

Wouldn't it be better to try to put the boot flag on the PM7 partion, re-install grub on that and reformat the PM10 partion??
Just thinking out loud...

[Slim.Fatz]

Hi pin,

Great idea! I like that. And then run the live session installer again, format the P10 partition (just to be safe), install to it again and then put the GRUB in the P10 partition?


I think I will try this. 


Regards,

-- Slim

[PCNetSpec]

In your BIOS, under the "BOOT" tab, is there a "Boot Mode" option that is currently set to [UEFI] ?

Nothing is mentioned in the manual about UEFI, but I gather it was a Win8 PC, and it obviously can boot UEFI

You need to find how to boot the LiveUSB in legacy BIOS mode

[Slim.Fatz]

Hi PCNetSpec,

Sorry for the late reply but I was out of town for a short while.

Thanks again for your time and effort. It is most probably true that back when I bought this laptop Win8 was typically installed by default. But when I purchased this laptop I purchased it precisely because the dealer could deliver it without any OS (although it turned out to have a pretty much useless and specked-down Linux of some sort -- whose name I no longer remember -- and I immediately installed PeppermintOS and eliminated the original from the HDD).

Unfortunately, the two videos that you found only show and describe what I have been doing all along. As an alternative I decided to try several other Linux distros to see if the same problem occurs. With two Ubuntus (minimal and Xubuntu) and with an Arch derivative that uses the Calamares installer the exact same thing occurs (no EFI partition found error).

I was about to give up and either try installing the Boot Repair utility or try performing the suggestion from pin (moving the boot flag to my Peppermint 7 partition, installing GRUB to the MBR from there and then checking whether I could boot into the Peppermint Ten installation).

But then I thought I would try one last distro and DL'ed MX Linux 18.3. And presto! No problem, it installed without hesitation and runs perfectly.  So I guess I'll mark this as ABANDONED and fool around with MX Linux for a bit (when I am not in Peppermint Ten on my other machines). 


Thanks again for the time and effort from yourself and pin. I'm sorry it didn't really help us in any way WRT others having this problem (but until now, no one else has mentioned it as being an issue  ).


Regards,

-- Slim

[pin]

As far as I'm concerned, NO problem 
I was actually at the airport on my way to Portugal when this all started  ...visiting family and some holiday after that.

Some early EFI machines seem to behave rather strange. I've had a few installs with a similar issue, although setting the boot to legacy mode has always fixed it. Don't really know what has happened in your case 

Enjoy your multiboot 

[Slim.Fatz]

Hi pin,

Enjoy your time with the family and don't forget to get in some R&R too! 


Regards,

-- Slim

[alynur]

I seem to remember, pretty strange for me, about somebody wanting to install without installing grub. Isn't there a code that can be run while in the live session to tell umbiguity(?) to install without grub?