iMac5,1 hardy wont launch from rEFIt

[tsr]

Hi,

When I first got my iMac (5.1 17" screen) I tried to follow the instructions to install ubu6.04 and failed.

Now, since my real comp a generic laptop has died I'm trying again.

I've downloaded the install (32 bits) disk of ubu 8.04, burnt it and booted with it. (I don't get to make a choice in the boot-menu since it gets covered in a non-removable language-selection menu).

Either way the liveCD gets going and I'm able to install ubuntu (using manual partition to keep my efi partion and MacOS X partitions).

Every thing gets installed and I'm asked to reboot...

In the rEFIt-menu (I've updated rEFIt to version 0.11) I have three choices:
- a penguin to boot with lilo.conf
- mac
- a penguin to boot from HD

The first option gives: "invalid configuration in lilo.conf" (or something similar)

The second boots MacOS X (I'm on Tiger 10.4.11)

The third just smacks a small penguin in the middle of the screen and then stops working (I've tried waiting for 10 mins but still nothing).

I'd prefer to not have to wipe the HD as I don't have a back-up device for the media files that I've got into there (since my laptop died).

Any hints? Do you need more info?

Thanks, tsr

[cyberdork33]

There is an installation bug in Hardy, thoughyour errors sound a bit different.

[tsr]

Ok, maybe it is that bug, can you tell me more about it?

I'm willing to try anything

Is there any way to do it all from the beginning without losing my MacOS X install?

/tsr

[hajk]

Have you by any chance forgotten to synch the GUID and MBR partition tables? Just in case: in the rEFIt boot menu use the arrow keys to select the Partitioner Tool and confirm with "yes". Then, again with the arrow keys in rEFIt, select the restart button.

[cyberdork33]

Sorry, I got pulled away when posting the last reply.

Please have a look in the FAQ. There is a link to the Install Bug fix there. The lilo error is a strange one and might need to more details to be able to see what is going on since you shouldn't even have lilo installed at this point since it does not come with a default install of Ubuntu. I think it might be a leftover from your previous attempts to get things working.
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=493393

Please give the output of the following commands in the Ubuntu LiveCD environment:
List the MBR Partition Table

sudo fdisk -l /dev/sda

List the GPT:

sudo parted /dev/sda print

You cannot select a language when booting from the LiveCD because of a firmware issue on your Mac related to your keyboard. Since you have an iMac5,1 this should be fixed if you apply all the updates in OSX.

[tsr]

Have you by any chance forgotten to synch the GUID and MBR partition tables? Just in case: in the rEFIt boot menu use the arrow keys to select the Partitioner Tool and confirm with "yes". Then, again with the arrow keys in rEFIt, select the restart button.

Well according to the partition tool nothing needs syncing...

/tsr

[tsr]

Ok, thanks for giving me a hand, here are the results:

sudo fdisk -l /dev/sda

WARNING: GPT (GUID Partition Table) detected on '/dev/sda'! The util fdisk doesn't support GPT. Use GNU Parted.


Disk /dev/sda: 160.0 GB, 160041885696 bytes
255 heads, 63 sectors/track, 19457 cylinders
Units = cylinders of 16065 * 512 = 8225280 bytes
Disk identifier: 0x00000000

   Device Boot      Start         End      Blocks   Id  System
/dev/sda1               1          26      204819+  ee  EFI GPT
/dev/sda2   *          26        6537    52297728   af  Unknown
/dev/sda3           19199       19457     2075980+  82  Linux swap / Solaris
/dev/sda4            6537       19199   101709824   83  Linux

Partition table entries are not in disk order

and

sudo parted /dev/sda print


Disk /dev/sda: 160GB
Sector size (logical/physical): 512B/512B
Partition Table: gpt

Number  Start   End     Size    File system  Name                  Flags
 1      20.5kB  210MB   210MB   fat32        EFI System Partition  boot 
 2      210MB   53.8GB  53.6GB  hfs+         Apple_HFS_Untitled_1       
 4      53.8GB  158GB   104GB   ext3                                    
 3      158GB   160GB   2126MB  linux-swap                              

Information: Don't forget to update /etc/fstab, if necessary.

Oh, and I tried to boot from holding down the alt-key during start-up and that worked.

Ofc, now I have to get the ndiswrapper and co going to be able to access the intarweb

/tsr - two different steps at a time

[cyberdork33]

Well all your partitions look good. I would venture to guess that you likely have lilo installed in the MBR from your previous attempt, and you current install didn't go over well because of the install bug. You should try reinstalling GRUB to the MBR to overwrite what might be there now.

At least we know that the system is bootable now.

[tsr]

Well all your partitions look good. I would venture to guess that you likely have lilo installed in the MBR from your previous attempt, and you current install didn't go over well because of the install bug. You should try reinstalling GRUB to the MBR to overwrite what might be there now.

At least we know that the system is bootable now.

Great, how do I do that.

/tsr - feeling n00by

[cyberdork33]

Great, how do I do that.

/tsr - feeling n00by

Sorry, never linked to it. The link fpr the install bug is in the FAQ...

http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=493393