Ubuntu LiveCD/Grub2 can't boot on Asus EeeBook X205

[clausen2]

I just bought an Asus EeeBook X205, which is a new model ultrabook from late 2014. It comes with Windows 8.1 installed. I have not yet been able to boot Linux in any form on it.

I think I have figured out why:

1. The UEFI firmware does not support legacy BIOS.
2. The UEFI firmware seems to be 32-bit based (not 64-bit). The EFI system partition contains a 32-bit boot file, named /EFI/BOOT/bootia32.efi. (It's possible to access this by going to Windows 8.1's advanced boot menu, booting into the rescue command prompt, mounting the system partition with mountvol S: /s, and then looking inside that by typing S: then CD EFI\BOOT then DIR.)

Apparently Ubuntu does not yet provide a 32-bit EFI boot loader, so I think the only way to proceed is to install my own 32-bit based boot-loader, as per http://askubuntu.com/questions/39271...i-boot-support. Am I missing anything?

[clausen2]

Apparently this is a well known problem (even though it isn't documented in the release notes or install guides). These bugs are relevant: https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu-cdimage/+bug/1025555 and https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+s...2/+bug/1341944.

Potential work-arounds: https://bbs.archlinux.org/viewtopic.php?id=179948 and https://github.com/lopaka/instructio...asus-x205ta.md.

[oldfred]

Just recently Linux kernel added support.
Instructions to install Ubuntu 14.10 on ASUS EeeBook X205TA - Atom Bay Trail 32 bit UEFI
https://github.com/lopaka/instructio...asus-x205ta.md
Linux 3.15 Kernel Gains EFI Mixed Mode Support
http://www.phoronix.com/scan.php?pag...tem&px=MTY0OTI


Don't ship 32-bit UEFI firmware on x86
http://mjg59.dreamwidth.org/26734.html
Some new 64 bit low cost systems with 32 bit UEFI
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=2189855

Now older, recompile yourself:

New 32 bit UEFI class 3 (no CSM) Only with recompile UEFI/grub/Ubuntu
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=2189855

But someone has it partially working:
http://liliputing.com/2013/10/bootin...book-t100.html
Asus T100 Compile own grub 32 bit
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=2191557