Ubuntu 14.04 + UEFI install problem

[Sophie_Lagace]

I'm a user, not a hacker. I had an old computer that had been running various incarnations of Ubuntu since Lucid Lynx (10.04 LTS) five years ago, but it was getting too slow for recent versions of Ubuntu so I bought a reconditioned desktop unit:

HP Pavilion 500-314 Desktop, AMD A8-7600 Quad-Core 3.1GHz, 8GB DDR3, 2TB SATA, 802.11n, Win8.1

I used a LiveDVD of Ubuntu 14.04.01 LTS to test, then install in dual-boot but it wouldn't boot on its own after install (I was not familiar with UEFI). I tried again to install, this time agreeing to wipe the disk. I didn't need *******, after all. I researched a bit, learned that I needed to install in EFI mode since apparently Win8.1 would have been in UEFI. If I understand correctly, I've compounded my error by trying to re-install, and these would have ended up installing in BIOS, not EFI.

My question is: How do I sort out what I messed up? Answers in lay terms are much appreciated.

Here are the links I've explored, understanding only half:
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=2147295
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/UEFI
http://askubuntu.com/questions/395879/how-to-create-uefi-only-bootable-usb-live-media/

I followed the instructions in the second link under "Installing Ubuntu Quickly and Easily via Trial and Error" and by turning off FastBoot, at least got the computer to boot from the LiveDVD rather than have to escape to BIOS and manually force it to boot. But after re-install it still won't self-boot. I ran Boot-Repair and got the following summary: http://paste.ubuntu.com/10841217/

I greatly appreciate any help I can get, but I need explained to me in lay terms.

[oldfred]

You have a full drive LVM type install. That is for advanced users or those who want full drive encryption. And LVM default install is always a full drive erase.

You have to use gparted to delete existing partitions

Unless that is what you really wanted, I would reinstall with standard partitions. And if you want Windows erase all of Ubuntu and reinstall Windows first.
But how you boot installer for both Windows & Ubuntu is how it installs either UEFI or BIOS boot.

Shows install with screen shots. Both BIOS purple accessibility screen & UEFI black grub menu screen
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/UEFI


The dual boot instructions are with with Windows and you can skip those parts if only wanting Ubuntu.
UEFI install,windows 8 with Something Else screen shots
http://www.everydaylinuxuser.com/2014/05/install-ubuntu-1404-alongside-windows.html
Linux on UEFI: A Quick Installation Guide
http://www.rodsbooks.com/linux-uefi/
Something Else or manual Install
http://www.dedoimedo.com/computers/dual-boot-windows-8-ubuntu.html

Default install is / (root) and swap, but better to have separate /home or data partition(s). But to have more than default you must use the Something Else install options. Examples above show screen shots of just about every step.

More info in link in my signature.

[Sophie_Lagace]

I used Gparted to delete the existing partitions, then used the LiveDVD to run Ubuntu and do a standard install, no LVM, encryption or options. Still won't self-boot, so I'm still doing something wrong. I took a few snapshots of the BIOS options as I have them now, perhaps this is where I goofed?
https://plus.google.com/photos/109519159272220299318/albums/6139144437863749425?authkey=CKrR_KuV3KuT5AE

[oldfred]

HP is one of the vendors that violate UEFI specs and require "Windows" entry to boot. If not using Windows you can rename the UEFI entry for grub or shim to read Windows.

If Description has to be Windows then change UEFI description. Run this from live installer booted in UEFI mode.
sudo efibootmgr -c -L "Windows Boot Manager" -l "\EFI\ubuntu\shimx64.efi"

Others that dual boot with Windows, modify the hard drive boot entry in UEFI which uses /EFI/Boot/Bootx64.efi to really be grub or shim.

Other HP users:

HP to get into UEFI/BIOS menu - escape then f10 as soon as it starts.
http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?docname=c01443329&lc=en&cc=us&dlc=en&product=5171079
It seems hp firmware do not allow you to boot anything other than windows. Hence no ubuntu option in the UEFI. To work around it
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=2227889
1) press esc key while booting to access start up menu 2) press F9 for boot devices menu.
[SOLVED] Trying to install Ubuntu as dual boot on Windows 8.1 desktop HP500
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=2218154

HP ProBook 450 G1 Custom UEFI boot or copy to bootx64.efi
http://forums.linuxmint.com/viewtopic.php?f=46&t=164076
HP 4545s Secure boot off, manually copy files.
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=2133796
HP Manually renamed files to make it work.
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=2131886

If still issues, run Boot-Repair and post link to summary report.

Post the link to the Create BootInfo summary report. Is part of Boot-Repair:
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Boot-Info