Windows 8 Ubuntu 13.04 Dual boot

Hi, I'm aware that this has been asked several times but I can't seem to find an answer that pertains to my case. I've been trying to install Ubuntu on a separate hard drive to dual boot with Windows 8. Every time I try to install it, the installer doesn't detect my Windows 8 installation. If I go on and install Ubuntu in the separate hard drive, when it reboots, it goes straight to the windows 8 logo, which then proceeds to go on a boot loop and won't boot into windows unless I turn off my PC and disconnect the HDD that has Ubuntu on it. I tried checking to see if I had secure boot on but my motherboard does not have it in the bios. I also disbaled the fast startup from the Windows 8 settings. I really don't want to give up on installing Ubuntu since I've used it in the past and I want to use it with this new hardware that I have. I would install it by itself but unfortunately I need Windows for college purposes. Here's my current setup:

• Motherboard: Gigabyte Z77X-UD3H
• 32 GB RAM
• Intel i5 3570k
• 128GB SSD (windows 8 disk)
• 2 TB HDD (for data and personal files)
• 500 GB HDD (Intended for Ubuntu installation)

Thank you in advance for your help. If you need any more information just let me know and I'll post it.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by virgiliox

Every time I try to install it, the installer doesn't detect my Windows 8 installation.

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What do you mean the installer doesn't detect your Windows installation? I take it you mean you don't get a GRUB menu with dual boot showing Windows as an option. If so, open your terminal and type

Code:

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sudo update-grub

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Given that your Windows loader is intact, this should solve the problem. You may need to play with the drive mapping later on if you have multiple drives though. But let's deal with that if need be.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by virgiliox

If I go on and install Ubuntu in the separate hard drive, when it reboots, it goes straight to the windows 8 logo, which then proceeds to go on a boot loop and won't boot into windows unless I turn off my PC and disconnect the HDD that has Ubuntu on it.

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This simply means you're booting from the drive which has the Windows 8 MBR installed on it. Go to your BIOS and set it to boot from the drive with the Linux GRUB MBR, and you're all set.

What I meant is that after the Ubuntu installation, after the reboot, not even Windows 8 loads. it just shows the logo for like 1 second and then the computer automatically reboots. And that keeps happening unless I disconnect the drive with Ubuntu. does this have anything to do with where the boot loader is installed during the Ubuntu installation?

Sorry, I meant to say my Windows 8. It says that there were no other operating systems found.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/9h4dw6a5ng...Partitions.JPG


That's my current partition layout. Disk 1 is where my personal files are. Disk 2 is the SSD with Windows 8 Installed and Disk 3 is where I intend to install Ubuntu.

You might want to try Ubuntu with a primary partition instead, and what I said about installing the bootloader on the disk instead of the Ubuntu partition still goes. Also make sure to set the Ubuntu disk for boot. Then you'll have GRUB instead of the Windows bootloader, and it'll likely detect Windows 8. You can always run the aforementioned command on the Terminal if it doesn't.

If the problem still persists after all that, I'm afraid it's a GPT-specific issue and since I'm not familiar with that I won't be able to help you much.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by virgiliox

https://www.dropbox.com/s/9h4dw6a5ng...Partitions.JPG


That's my current partition layout. Disk 1 is where my personal files are. Disk 2 is the SSD with Windows 8 Installed and Disk 3 is where I intend to install Ubuntu.

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You have change the Partition Table on the disk you want to install Ubuntu to. Have you changed it to GUID Partition Table [GPT]?
GPT because your Windows 8 is probably booting in UEFI mode. And Ubuntu too needs to be installed in UEFI. Only GPT can let Ubuntu dual boot with Windows in UEFI mode.

When you are done. Create First Partition on that disk as 300MB partition formated with FAT32. (This is not a Must but it is recommended).

To install Ubuntu in UEFI you need to boot it in UEFI mode. If you boot in UEFI mode then you will see a Black Screen with options, if not its regular purplish Ubuntu screen.

thanks for the advice. I do know how to boot it in UEFI mode, however, I do not know how to partition the drive with a GPT. Can you please advise me on how to achieve this. thank you.

Also, how should I proceed if the Ubuntu installer does not detect Windows 8?

I deleted all partitions using linux installation usb without Win partition ofcourse. Ive been using partition guide while installing or help or whatever it calls giving linux rest of the system. Install grub as one of installation steps. I was choosing ex4 with libraries for linux and it works.