Is it possible to install Linux as a standalone OS with a UEFI system that came preinstalled with Windows 8?

Question

I've tried installing Ubuntu several times as a standalone OS on my Toshiba Portege z935 which has a UEFI Bios and came pre-installed with windows 8 and it does not work. Is it really only possible to dual boot with Windows 8?

Yes is it possible. You said you previous attempts at installing failed. What happened exactly? — , Oct 31 '14 at 04:05
I would install Ubuntu and it would be successful. However after restarting it wouldn't boot. My hard drive was basically not being recognized. — rrtorres1991, Oct 31 '14 at 04:08
I just booted the live USB and installed the distribution to my hard disk following the prompts. — rrtorres1991, Oct 31 '14 at 04:12
The Boot Loader should have been installed. Would you like me to create a Q&A where I go through the process of Installation for you? — , Oct 31 '14 at 04:17
Taking longer than I anticipated. You want to completely remove Win 8? — , Oct 31 '14 at 04:42
I'm sorry haha, I was waiting for you. And Yes. Windows 8 is already removed. The hard drive is empty. — rrtorres1991, Oct 31 '14 at 04:43
Thanks. I'm coming through shortly How much Space is on the hard drive? — , Oct 31 '14 at 04:44
last request: sudo parted -lfrom terminal what's the output for the SSD 120GB disk? paste output here and paste link as reply. — , Oct 31 '14 at 04:49

score 3 · Answer 1 · edited Apr 13 '17 at 12:24

Fedora and Windows install a file called \EFI\BOOT\BOOTx64.EFI (x64 is the architecture and can be something like ARM too) in the EFI System Partition (ESP) which allows to boot an application or operating system when the NVRAM entries (storage on the mainboard) to boot a certain OS are not available or missing. Ubuntu currently doesn't provide such a file, which results in a non-bootable installation in these cases.

You can follow these instructions which install and configure Gummiboot for such scenarios. You can even configure this for secure boot. I already filed a bug, but it doesn't seem to get taken seriously.

Is it possible to install Linux as a standalone OS with a UEFI system that came preinstalled with Windows 8?

1 Answers1