install linux as 2nd system

[oldfred]

If you are creating the 1 or 2MB bios_grub partition you must choose unformatted. That is a choice.

[mrkaplan]

i tried unformatted , different sizes including less than 10 mb . but even so , i dont have an option for managing flags . when i right click on "unformatted" space , flags is greyed out .
another things thats unclear is , whats been suggested in a previous post , that is try to rename existing partitions to /something , either using gparted or ubuntu installer, is likely to format them.

[oldfred]

See if you save partition as unformatted, then come back and add flag.

[mrkaplan]

heres what i ended up doing
-erased the 100 gb partition to free space
- download and launch ubuntu 13.04
installation partition settings as folows :
2 gb logical beginning swap
16 gb logical beginning ext 3 /
80 gb logical beginning ext 3 /home

then restart
drive fails to boot . only my windows drive is recognized

any ideas ?

[oldfred]

If drive is gpt then grub will not install correctly without bios_grub partition.

Boot-Repair will not repair it either unless you have the bios_grub partition.
If MBR then Boot-Repair should just install grub to MBR.

Post the link to the BootInfo report that this creates. Is part of Boot-Repair:
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Boot-Info
Boot Repair -Also handles LVM, GPT, separate /boot and UEFI dual boot.:
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Boot-Repair
You can repair many boot issues with this or 'Create BootInfo' report (Other Options) & post the link it creates, so we can see your exact configuration and diagnose advanced problems.
LighterWeight (Lubuntu based) Boot-RepairCD
http://sourceforge.net/projects/boot-repair-cd/files/

[mrkaplan]

Yes, the drive is gpt .
the issue is why gparted wont write bios_grub flag . troubleshoot this might be complicated . i m considering reformatting and partitioning this 1000 GB drive, possibly with gparted .. if so , i suppose my best practical choice would be MBR . rather confusing considering mbr will be discontinued .
if efi is the future , and ubuntu is ill suited for efi .. that makes it difficult for linux users, ..unless they are experts like people helping here.

[oldfred]

I have two drives with gpt and even a flash drive with gpt. And have had no issue.
You can create unformatted partition anywhere on drive.
Then try again setting flag, but after you have run the check mark to create partition.
Or change flags with disks.
Or use parted
Or use gdisk the fdisk for gpt drives.

sudo apt-get install gdisk
GPT fdisk Tutorial -srs5694 in forums
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1439794
http://www.rodsbooks.com/gdisk/


You can set bios_grub flag in gparted (right click flags) & no format
In GPT fdisk (gdisk), give bios_grub a type code of EF02.
Or with terminal - see man parted:
sudo parted /dev/sda set <partition_number> boot on

[mrkaplan]

image attached

[mrkaplan]

above is an image from my 100gb problem drive contents . might give you a clue what causes trouble
linux swap and ext3 14 gb and 80 gb are the three partitons i made with ubuntu installer yesterday , smaller ext3 being the system

[Bucky Ball]

Just attach images rather than inserting them in the body of your posts. Edit Post>Go Advanced>Paperclip icon. Thanks.