I have a UEFI system drive and a UEFI LiveUsb key and I have installed both 16.04 and 17.04 before using this setup so I don't think that configuration or video drivers is an issue.
I decided that I needed to go down to the metal and create a new UEFI system volume. I created a new GPT partition table, an ESP partition, a root partition and a /home partition but I forgot to set the ESP and Boot flags on the ESP partition. I went ahead and installed 16.04 on this configuration without problems and used it for a few weeks. Today, I decided it was time to upgrade to 17.04 and make sure this was a proper UEFI install so first I set the ESD and boot flags on my ESP partition. I then proceeded to install 17.04 from my UEFI LiveUsb key. The install went OK but when I tried to boot the new system I got a black screen before Grub2 could display the boot screen, even if I held down the right shift key during the boot. Just to be sure that it was not my video card I tried with nomodeset without success.
Grub2 Configuration file:
#
# DO NOT EDIT THIS FILE
#
# It is automatically generated by grub-mkconfig using templates
# from /etc/grub.d and settings from /etc/default/grub
#
### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/00_header ###
if [ -s $prefix/grubenv ]; then
set have_grubenv=true
load_env
fi
if [ "${next_entry}" ] ; then
set default="${next_entry}"
set next_entry=
save_env next_entry
set boot_once=true
else
set default="0"
fi
if [ x"${feature_menuentry_id}" = xy ]; then
menuentry_id_option="--id"
else
menuentry_id_option=""
fi
export menuentry_id_option
if [ "${prev_saved_entry}" ]; then
set saved_entry="${prev_saved_entry}"
save_env saved_entry
set prev_saved_entry=
save_env prev_saved_entry
set boot_once=true
fi
function savedefault {
if [ -z "${boot_once}" ]; then
saved_entry="${chosen}"
save_env saved_entry
fi
}
function recordfail {
set recordfail=1
if [ -n "${have_grubenv}" ]; then if [ -z "${boot_once}" ]; then save_env recordfail; fi; fi
}
function load_video {
if [ x$feature_all_video_module = xy ]; then
insmod all_video
else
insmod efi_gop
insmod efi_uga
insmod ieee1275_fb
insmod vbe
insmod vga
insmod video_bochs
insmod video_cirrus
fi
}
if [ x$feature_default_font_path = xy ] ; then
font=unicode
else
insmod part_gpt
insmod ext2
set root='hd0,gpt2'
if [ x$feature_platform_search_hint = xy ]; then
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root --hint-bios=hd0,gpt2 --hint-efi=hd0,gpt2 --hint-baremetal=ahci0,gpt2 24989abc-3526-4933-a477-493a0dd822b4
else
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 24989abc-3526-4933-a477-493a0dd822b4
fi
font="/usr/share/grub/unicode.pf2"
fi
if loadfont $font ; then
set gfxmode=auto
load_video
insmod gfxterm
set locale_dir=$prefix/locale
set lang=en_US
insmod gettext
fi
terminal_output gfxterm
if [ "${recordfail}" = 1 ] ; then
set timeout=30
else
if [ x$feature_timeout_style = xy ] ; then
set timeout_style=hidden
set timeout=0
# Fallback hidden-timeout code in case the timeout_style feature is
# unavailable.
elif sleep --interruptible 0 ; then
set timeout=0
fi
fi
### END /etc/grub.d/00_header ###
### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/05_debian_theme ###
set menu_color_normal=white/black
set menu_color_highlight=black/light-gray
if background_color 44,0,30,0; then
clear
fi
### END /etc/grub.d/05_debian_theme ###
### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/10_linux ###
function gfxmode {
set gfxpayload="${1}"
if [ "${1}" = "keep" ]; then
set vt_handoff=vt.handoff=7
else
set vt_handoff=
fi
}
if [ "${recordfail}" != 1 ]; then
if [ -e ${prefix}/gfxblacklist.txt ]; then
if hwmatch ${prefix}/gfxblacklist.txt 3; then
if [ ${match} = 0 ]; then
set linux_gfx_mode=keep
else
set linux_gfx_mode=text
fi
else
set linux_gfx_mode=text
fi
else
set linux_gfx_mode=keep
fi
else
set linux_gfx_mode=text
fi
export linux_gfx_mode
menuentry 'Ubuntu' --class ubuntu --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os $menuentry_id_option 'gnulinux-simple-24989abc-3526-4933-a477-493a0dd822b4' {
recordfail
load_video
gfxmode $linux_gfx_mode
insmod gzio
if [ x$grub_platform = xxen ]; then insmod xzio; insmod lzopio; fi
insmod part_gpt
insmod ext2
set root='hd0,gpt2'
if [ x$feature_platform_search_hint = xy ]; then
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root --hint-bios=hd0,gpt2 --hint-efi=hd0,gpt2 --hint-baremetal=ahci0,gpt2 24989abc-3526-4933-a477-493a0dd822b4
else
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 24989abc-3526-4933-a477-493a0dd822b4
fi
linux /boot/vmlinuz-4.10.0-19-generic.efi.signed root=UUID=24989abc-3526-4933-a477-493a0dd822b4 ro quiet splash $vt_handoff
initrd /boot/initrd.img-4.10.0-19-generic
}
submenu 'Advanced options for Ubuntu' $menuentry_id_option 'gnulinux-advanced-24989abc-3526-4933-a477-493a0dd822b4' {
menuentry 'Ubuntu, with Linux 4.10.0-19-generic' --class ubuntu --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os $menuentry_id_option 'gnulinux-4.10.0-19-generic-advanced-24989abc-3526-4933-a477-493a0dd822b4' {
recordfail
load_video
gfxmode $linux_gfx_mode
insmod gzio
if [ x$grub_platform = xxen ]; then insmod xzio; insmod lzopio; fi
insmod part_gpt
insmod ext2
set root='hd0,gpt2'
if [ x$feature_platform_search_hint = xy ]; then
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root --hint-bios=hd0,gpt2 --hint-efi=hd0,gpt2 --hint-baremetal=ahci0,gpt2 24989abc-3526-4933-a477-493a0dd822b4
else
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 24989abc-3526-4933-a477-493a0dd822b4
fi
echo 'Loading Linux 4.10.0-19-generic ...'
linux /boot/vmlinuz-4.10.0-19-generic.efi.signed root=UUID=24989abc-3526-4933-a477-493a0dd822b4 ro quiet splash $vt_handoff
echo 'Loading initial ramdisk ...'
initrd /boot/initrd.img-4.10.0-19-generic
}
menuentry 'Ubuntu, with Linux 4.10.0-19-generic (upstart)' --class ubuntu --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os $menuentry_id_option 'gnulinux-4.10.0-19-generic-init-upstart-24989abc-3526-4933-a477-493a0dd822b4' {
recordfail
load_video
gfxmode $linux_gfx_mode
insmod gzio
if [ x$grub_platform = xxen ]; then insmod xzio; insmod lzopio; fi
insmod part_gpt
insmod ext2
set root='hd0,gpt2'
if [ x$feature_platform_search_hint = xy ]; then
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root --hint-bios=hd0,gpt2 --hint-efi=hd0,gpt2 --hint-baremetal=ahci0,gpt2 24989abc-3526-4933-a477-493a0dd822b4
else
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 24989abc-3526-4933-a477-493a0dd822b4
fi
echo 'Loading Linux 4.10.0-19-generic ...'
linux /boot/vmlinuz-4.10.0-19-generic.efi.signed root=UUID=24989abc-3526-4933-a477-493a0dd822b4 ro quiet splash $vt_handoff init=/sbin/upstart
echo 'Loading initial ramdisk ...'
initrd /boot/initrd.img-4.10.0-19-generic
}
menuentry 'Ubuntu, with Linux 4.10.0-19-generic (recovery mode)' --class ubuntu --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os $menuentry_id_option 'gnulinux-4.10.0-19-generic-recovery-24989abc-3526-4933-a477-493a0dd822b4' {
recordfail
load_video
insmod gzio
if [ x$grub_platform = xxen ]; then insmod xzio; insmod lzopio; fi
insmod part_gpt
insmod ext2
set root='hd0,gpt2'
if [ x$feature_platform_search_hint = xy ]; then
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root --hint-bios=hd0,gpt2 --hint-efi=hd0,gpt2 --hint-baremetal=ahci0,gpt2 24989abc-3526-4933-a477-493a0dd822b4
else
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 24989abc-3526-4933-a477-493a0dd822b4
fi
echo 'Loading Linux 4.10.0-19-generic ...'
linux /boot/vmlinuz-4.10.0-19-generic.efi.signed root=UUID=24989abc-3526-4933-a477-493a0dd822b4 ro recovery nomodeset
echo 'Loading initial ramdisk ...'
initrd /boot/initrd.img-4.10.0-19-generic
}
}
### END /etc/grub.d/10_linux ###
### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/20_linux_xen ###
### END /etc/grub.d/20_linux_xen ###
### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/20_memtest86+ ###
### END /etc/grub.d/20_memtest86+ ###
### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/30_os-prober ###
### END /etc/grub.d/30_os-prober ###
### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/30_uefi-firmware ###
### END /etc/grub.d/30_uefi-firmware ###
### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/40_custom ###
# This file provides an easy way to add custom menu entries. Simply type the
# menu entries you want to add after this comment. Be careful not to change
# the 'exec tail' line above.
### END /etc/grub.d/40_custom ###
### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/41_custom ###
if [ -f ${config_directory}/custom.cfg ]; then
source ${config_directory}/custom.cfg
elif [ -z "${config_directory}" -a -f $prefix/custom.cfg ]; then
source $prefix/custom.cfg;
fi
END /etc/grub.d/41_custom
This is a tardy update relating to this boot problem. I have taken the following steps to try and get more information about the problem:
- Clear all partitions from /dev/sda
- Zero the entire physical disk with dd
- Install one of the following Ubuntu configurations on a GPT partitioned disk with a ESD partition as the first partition on the disk:
- LVM system volume
- Normal system with separate boot partition
- Normal system - no separate boot partition
- Repeat for each configuration
Early in this process the boot sympton changed from getting a blank screen before Grub appeared to the EFI firmware trying each boot possibility in turn ending with an attempted network boot without finding a bootable source.
If my LiveUsb stick was not present it would go through the entire boot order winding up with a failure at the network boot option. If my LivUsb stick was present it could always boot to it (it is second in the boot order). Thus it appears that something is making the firmware think that the Ubuntu entry is not bootable but no messages appear to help understand why it is not bootable. I have also tried the recommended repair from boot-repair without success. I have done extensive manual checking as well and everything appears to be OK.
You can access the latest boot repair report at www.pastebin.com/1qvuy647. Any suggestions on what I should do next?
nomodesetoption, which suggests it did appear.) See https://askubuntu.com/questions/162075/my-computer-boots-to-a-black-screen-what-options-do-i-have-to-fix-it and please run the Boot Repair utility and select the "Create BootInfo Summary" option. (DO NOT click "Recommended Repair," at least not yet!) When asked whether to upload the report, click "Yes," and then post the URL provided here. – Rod Smith Jul 31 '17 at 13:08/. – Pilot6 Aug 09 '17 at 16:32