reinstall/reconfigure GRUB for a new OS

[sunrat]

I usually use live-cd's for installation so I have the tools I need to change anything before I commit to disk and would use it to make any changes.

Last I heard, live CDs won't install in UEFI mode. Has this changed?

Here's where I am at present: I re-installed both Windows and Debian, but now both drives show partitioning for MBR. Evidently my installations overwrote the formatting I'd done before. I guess I have two questions at this point:

1. is there a bootable utility that will allow me to format both drives for GPTs?

Gparted will do it. You probably need to rewrite the partition table - Device - Create Partition table. Disk needs to be empty to do this ie. no partitions. http://gparted.org/display-doc.php?name ... tion-table

2. what am I doing during the installations that is causing these drives to be reformatted?

Use Manual Partitioning in the installer to choose not to format. I usually just use the installer to create and format.
Last time I installed Win 10, I'm pretty sure it created GPT partition table and GPT partitions. Then I shrunk it to make space for Debian and other Linux installs. I prefer to install all OSs on one disk with other disks just for data.

[Dai_trying]

I usually re-format the drives and then do the installation (just in case) but I'm not really sure it would make a difference, it's just what I am used to doing.

In case of what?

In case any remnants of previous installation have any effect on fresh one, it's just a step I take, I didn't say it was for any particular reason.

[Dai_trying]

I usually use live-cd's for installation so I have the tools I need to change anything before I commit to disk and would use it to make any changes.

Last I heard, live CDs won't install in UEFI mode. Has this changed?

Sorry this may be true, I can recall having to fudge a Live-CD using some advice here in the forum to get it booting in UEFI mode but thought it would have been sorted by now, my bad!

[Dai_trying]

Here's where I am at present: I re-installed both Windows and Debian, but now both drives show partitioning for MBR. Evidently my installations overwrote the formatting I'd done before. I guess I have two questions at this point:

1. is there a bootable utility that will allow me to format both drives for GPTs?
2. what am I doing during the installations that is causing these drives to be reformatted?

1. You can let the installer sort that out.
2. You should disable "legacy boot" from your bios (UEFI) that will prevent mbr installation and Windows will (should) automatically use GPT

[phenest]

1. is there a bootable utility that will allow me to format both drives for GPTs?

Yes. Both the Windows and Debian installers will do that. If you have the computer setup for UEFI booting, the installers will automatically choose the appropriate partition type. Just delete any existing partitions and start fresh.

[mzimmers]

Thanks for the information, guys. This is quite a learning experience, but I'm grateful for all the help. I've posted in the ASRock forum about disabling legacy boot, as I couldn't find mention of it in my owners manual nor online (specific to ASRock). I'm a little concerned that such a feature may not exist on my board (the firmware is described as "64Mb AMI UEFI Legal BIOS" in the manual), but hopefully I'll know more soon.

[Dai_trying]

It might be something like enable CSM in your bios.

[mzimmers]

It might be something like enable CSM in your bios.

Indeed it was. Thanks...I guess I'll try reinstalling now. I think I'll do Debian first, and then Windows. That'll make it easier for me to format the Windows drive. Back in a while...

[GarryRicketson]

by mzimmers » I think I'll do Debian first, and then Windows. That'll make it easier for me to format the Windows drive. Back in a while...

I think you need to do some research first, I don't use windows, and never install it on my hardware. But I did do some experiments, and also based on research,
I found that one can not install windows, without destroying the other partitions,
Windows must be installed first, then the partition resized, a new one created, and
Debian, or what ever installed to the new partition.
In any event , when it comes to the MS windows, I don't know anything, except that everything works better with out it.
But what ever, good luck, do what you want.

[mzimmers]

Hi, Garry -

Thanks for the post. I'm installing Windows on a separate disk, so I think I'm OK. I guess we'll see, though...

[GarryRicketson]

Oops, Ok, well that is a different ball game, I thought you ment on
the same HD, (disk),... sorry

[phenest]

In any event , when it comes to the MS windows, I don't know anything,

That much is clear. That was some very misguided advice.

I think you need to do some research first

Shame you didn't this thread fully.

[mzimmers]

Status report:

1. I've installed Debian (including grub-efi) successfully, and all is good in that world.
2. When I try to boot from my Windows installation DVD with CSM disabled, it hangs. If I re-enable CSM, it works, but I'm concerned that if I install, it won't create GPT partitions. My plan is to use gparted to create the partitions first, then install, then disable CSM again. Does this have a chance of working?

If I go this route, my intention is to use this as a partitioning guide:
https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/window ... igurations

It brings up a couple of questions, though. Do I still need a System partition (since I have an ESP on my Debian disk already), or is this liable to cause confusion for GRUB?

Thanks...

[phenest]

Both Debian and Windows installers check your BIOS to see whether you're using UEFI booting or not. If you are, it will create GPT, and if not, it will create MBR.

Don't use gparted. Let Windows do it itself.

If you've installed Debian first, Windows will auto detect the ESP on the Debian drive and use that. If you don't want it to use the Debian one, disconnect the Debian drive before proceeding, and Windows will create a new one on the Windows drive.

EDIT: It's completely normal for multiple OS's to share one ESP. That's part of its design.

[mzimmers]

I think we're getting somewhere. Current status is:

• both drives formatted for GPT
• Windows installed on /dev/sda; Debian o /dev/sdb
• grub-efi installed and seems to be (sort of) working

So this is really good news, and definite progress.

I say "sort of" above because the behavior isn't yet quite what I wanted all along. When CSM mode is disabled, Windows doesn't start up correctly -- I get "an error occurred while attempted to read the boot configuration data." Does this mean that Windows doesn't know about the GRUB information on the Debian disk?

And, when CSM mode is enabled, I don't get the GRUB menu. I can still boot Debian, but I have to use the UEFI boot menu.

Phenest: is it at long last time for me to run the commands you gave me on the first page?

Code: Select all

mount /dev/sdb1 /boot/efi
apt-get install --reinstall grub-efi
grub-install /dev/sdb
update-grub
exit

Thank you...this is very encouraging.

[phenest]

• both drives formatted for GPT
  ...
  When CSM mode is disabled, Windows doesn't start up correctly

Why did you change the CSM setting after formatting?

All you have to do is disable CSM in the BIOS. Install Debian and install Windows (or whichever order you want). GPT will automatically be used because CSM is disabled in the BIOS.

There is no need for you to select GPT or MBR manually because the installers check the BIOS and select the appropriate type for you.

[phenest]

• both drives formatted for GPT
  
  Phenest: is it at long last time for me to run the commands you gave me on the first page?

That was to fix your broken system. But now that you've reformatted the drives, there's nothing to fix.

[mzimmers]

Why did you change the CSM setting after formatting?

All you have to do is disable CSM in the BIOS. Install Debian and install Windows (or whichever order you want). GPT will automatically be used because CSM is disabled in the BIOS.

There is no need for you to select GPT or MBR manually because the installers check the BIOS and select the appropriate type for you.

The Windows installation freezes when have CSM disabled. The only way I can install is to re-enable it.

[phenest]

Are you installing Windows 64bit? And is it an MS disc?

[mzimmers]

Are you installing Windows 64bit? And is it an MS disc?

Yes, it's 64-bit and I believe it's a genuine MS disk. My sysAdmin at a former employer gave it to me years ago.
It's white with black print, Windows 7 Professional, includes service pack 1. It does say "Intended for distribution with a refurbished PC."

And it works just fine when I install with CSM enabled.