Ubuntu UEFI grub does not add Arch Linux correctly

[Cavsfan]

If you have Arch Linux installed in UEFI/GPT mode on SSD, when you add any version of Ubuntu in UEFI/GPT mode, it does not create the correct initrd boot line correctly for Arch leaving just the ability to boot into the fallback kernel.
Ubuntu Grub adds this:

initrd    /intel-ucode.img

However with the Grub on Arch Linux, it creates the correct initrd boot line:

initrd    /intel-ucode.img /initramfs-linux.img

I create a bug on Ubuntu grub to hopefully get this fixed. If you have this problem add your name.

https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+s...r/+bug/1772314

[Cavsfan]

Not many people using Ubuntu along with Arch?

[Cavsfan]

FWIW, this bug was fixed in openSUSE last week.

[JonPaul]

same problem with antergos..

[Cavsfan]

same problem with antergos..

Same problem in every Linux system there is, I'm pretty sure.
I've installed openSUSE Tumbleweed, Fedora 28, CentOS, Sabayon Linux and all Debian based systems, possibly a few others have this same problem.

They do not take into account the possibility that the initrd could have 2 .img entries.

openSUSE is the only one I'm aware of that has fixed this.

[23dornot23d]

Its almost every linux system that seems not to want to include arch or manjaro .......

In the past I have just kept manjaro as the first bootloader ..... but as you say ...... by now it should have been included.

Maybe we all just get used to our own workarounds ...... but it would be helpful to get it fixed properly if anyone can do that please.

[Cavsfan]

same problem with antergos..

I got to thinking later, Antergos is based on Arch so, that's crazy.

Its almost every linux system that seems not to want to include arch or manjaro .......

In the past I have just kept manjaro as the first bootloader ..... but as you say ...... by now it should have been included.

Maybe we all just get used to our own workarounds ...... but it would be helpful to get it fixed properly if anyone can do that please.

I opened up the bug on Ubuntu and it isn't going any where. I opened the same bug on openSUSE and Michael Chang, the developer worked with me to fix it and so that is one down.

My workaround is to make a custom grub on every system I install because unlike the Legacy/MBR partitioning, with UEFI you cannot keep your grub on any one system.
If a system updates it's grub, it also installs it there and I hate typing in "/initramfs-linux.img" on the Arch menuentry. Also, surprisingly most of the other menuentries are wrong on other distros.

I've learned a lot like how to customize each grub on each system I have - Ubuntu, Arch Linux, openSUSE, Fedora and CentOS.
But, I dropped CentOS when I found that it isn't good for a desktop OS more for a server. The conky version was 1.9 I'm pretty sure.

I installed Xubuntu 18.04 this morning and my custom entries would be this (using UUIDs):

cavsfan@cavsfan-xubuntu:~$ sudo blkid | grep sdc
[sudo] password for cavsfan: 
/dev/sdc1: UUID="688D-126B" TYPE="vfat" PARTLABEL="EFI System Partition" PARTUUID="3c1b6d6f-8a24-43da-b595-8c304ceee48d"
/dev/sdc2: PARTLABEL="Microsoft reserved partition" PARTUUID="49992d5b-79cd-4934-a12f-11782bb345bd"
/dev/sdc3: LABEL="C:" UUID="C4968A52968A44C0" TYPE="ntfs" PARTLABEL="Windows_10" PARTUUID="345c85f4-bce7-4bc7-bbe0-db03eb319cad"
/dev/sdc4: UUID="bbc771f8-ba61-4e50-aeca-d2754b112aee" TYPE="swap" PARTLABEL="swap" PARTUUID="c39d976b-91cd-4d59-a270-91398b764d3f"
/dev/sdc5: LABEL="ArchLinux" UUID="bbca28b2-503e-4dc8-9850-c54bd0492da8" TYPE="ext4" PARTLABEL="Arch_Linux" PARTUUID="5312b771-0835-4957-80a6-9a8a7107f24a"
/dev/sdc6: LABEL="Media" UUID="840ac879-510a-4b8d-be01-9d3a5f37dbb2" TYPE="ext4" PARTLABEL="Media" PARTUUID="61e2e7f9-1a98-44f7-881e-ae85fceaf994"
/dev/sdc7: LABEL="openSUSE" UUID="06d2aa5d-5c70-4916-9f8f-219f93668d52" TYPE="ext4" PARTLABEL="openSUSE" PARTUUID="6c7b8cd9-4350-4600-8e9e-ff1eb2933c9f"
/dev/sdc8: LABEL="Fedora" UUID="56ffa54a-e3c5-4b5d-9a21-fc14f662f7bb" TYPE="ext4" PARTLABEL="Fedora" PARTUUID="887a3d2f-73ed-4894-b566-3e37294757e7"
/dev/sdc9: UUID="27fb4082-7bd3-4974-9fa5-d2b43886513b" TYPE="ext4" PARTUUID="2edba524-105d-40b4-9242-530ca362a32a"

/etc/grub.d/06_custom:

#!/bin/sh
echo 1>&2 "Adding Arch Linux, Fedora 28 (Workstation), openSUSE Tumbleweed, Xubuntu 18.04 and Windows 10"
exec tail -n +4 $0
# This file provides an easy way to add custom menu entries.  Simply type the
# menu entries you want to add after this comment.  Be careful not to change
# the 'exec tail' line above.
menuentry 'Arch Linux' --class arch --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os $menuentry_id_option 'gnulinux-simple-bbca28b2-503e-4dc8-9850-c54bd0492da8' {
     load_video
     set gfxpayload=keep
     insmod gzio
     insmod part_gpt
     insmod fat
     set root='hd2,gpt1'
     search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 688D-126B
     linux  /vmlinuz-linux root=UUID=bbca28b2-503e-4dc8-9850-c54bd0492da8 rw  quiet
     initrd /intel-ucode.img /initramfs-linux.img
}
menuentry 'Arch Linux (fallback kernel)' --class arch --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os $menuentry_id_option 'gnulinux-linux-fallback-bbca28b2-503e-4dc8-9850-c54bd0492da8' {
     load_video
     set gfxpayload=keep
     insmod gzio
     insmod part_gpt
     insmod fat
     set root='hd2,gpt1'
     search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 688D-126B
     linux  /vmlinuz-linux root=UUID=bbca28b2-503e-4dc8-9850-c54bd0492da8 rw  quiet
     initrd /initramfs-linux-fallback.img
}
menuentry 'Fedora (Workstation)' --class fedora --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os --unrestricted $menuentry_id_option 'gnulinux-simple-9084e0b8-b05b-41af-a4eb-902a0bebe70a' {
     load_video
     set gfxpayload=keep
     insmod gzio
     insmod part_gpt
     insmod ext2
     set root='hd2,gpt8'
     search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 9084e0b8-b05b-41af-a4eb-902a0bebe70a
     linux  /boot/vmlinuz root=UUID=9084e0b8-b05b-41af-a4eb-902a0bebe70a ro rd.driver.blacklist=nouveau resume=UUID=bbc771f8-ba61-4e50-aeca-d2754b112aee rhgb quiet
     initrd /boot/initrd
}
menuentry 'openSUSE Tumbleweed' --class opensuse --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os $menuentry_id_option 'osprober-gnulinux-simple-06d2aa5d-5c70-4916-9f8f-219f93668d52' {
     insmod part_gpt
     insmod ext2
     set root='hd2,gpt7'
     search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 06d2aa5d-5c70-4916-9f8f-219f93668d52
     linux  /boot/vmlinuz root=/dev/sdc7 splash=silent resume=/dev/disk/by-uuid/bbc771f8-ba61-4e50-aeca-d2754b112aee quiet
     initrd /boot/initrd
}
menuentry 'Xubuntu 18.04' --class ubuntu --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os $menuentry_id_option 'gnulinux-simple-27fb4082-7bd3-4974-9fa5-d2b43886513b' {
     recordfail
     load_video
     gfxmode $linux_gfx_mode
     insmod gzio
     insmod part_gpt
     insmod ext2
     set root='hd2,gpt9'
     search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 27fb4082-7bd3-4974-9fa5-d2b43886513b
     linux  /boot/vmlinuz root=UUID=27fb4082-7bd3-4974-9fa5-d2b43886513b ro quiet splash $vt_handoff
     initrd /boot/initrd.img
}
menuentry 'Windows 10' --class windows --class os $menuentry_id_option 'osprober-efi-688D-126B' {
     insmod part_gpt
     insmod fat
     set root='hd2,gpt1'
     search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 688D-126B
     chainloader /EFI/Microsoft/Boot/bootmgfw.efi
}

The resume=UUID=bbc771f8-ba61-4e50-aeca-d2754b112aee part from the openSUSE vmlinuz worked on 18.10 yesterday.
Also, the resume=/dev/disk/by-uuid//bbc771f8-ba61-4e50-aeca-d2754b112aee part from the Fedora vmlinuz line would probably work too on the Ubuntu vmlinuz line.
It points to the swap file for resume after suspend.

[oldfred]

Why not use a Windows type entry that boots into the other install's UEFI entry.

menuentry "Fedora UEFI" {
  search --file --no-floppy --set=root F496-1330
  chainloader (${root})/efi/fedora/grub.cfg
}

Or a configfile entry to boot the other grub.cfg or whatever they use?

I only have Ubuntu and first thing I do is turn off os-prober and add my own 40_custom. Most are configfile as Ubuntu's grub only installs to /EFI/ubuntu.

I am in process of changing to use labels, but some are still like this:

 menuentry "Cosmic 18.10 on sdb12" { 

  configfile (hd2,gpt12)/boot/grub/grub.cfg 
  }

Then you get the full grub from your other install.

label version:
https://askubuntu.com/questions/3441...on-a-usb-drive

[Dennis N]

Why not use a Windows type entry that boots into the other install's UEFI entry.

I agree. This is the only way I know to have a maintenance-free UEFI multiboot setup that includes Fedora. Works with other OS too. In particular, I also use it for Arch-based Manjaro. This was discussed extensively last year in this thread:
https://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=2355551
If you should have two Fedora installations, you can still make the custom menu totally maintenance-free by using two EFI system partitions!
My own working entry:

#!/bin/sh
exec tail -n +3 $0
# This file provides an easy way to add custom menu entries.  Simply type the
# menu entries you want to add after this comment.  Be careful not to change
# the 'exec tail' line above.
menuentry 'FEDORA 28            lvm - menu' {
insmod part_gpt 
insmod fat
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root DE47-135A
chainloader /EFI/fedora/shimx64.efi 
}

This method was proposed for multi-booting by J.A. Watson in his ZDNet columns:
https://www.zdnet.com/blog/jamies-mostly-linux-stuff/
In particular, see the Mar. 24,26,30, 2015 columns.

[Cavsfan]

Why not use a Windows type entry that boots into the other install's UEFI entry.

menuentry "Fedora UEFI" {
  search --file --no-floppy --set=root F496-1330
  chainloader (${root})/efi/fedora/grub.cfg
}

Or a configfile entry to boot the other grub.cfg or whatever they use?

I only have Ubuntu and first thing I do is turn off os-prober and add my own 40_custom. Most are configfile as Ubuntu's grub only installs to /EFI/ubuntu.

I am in process of changing to use labels, but some are still like this:

 menuentry "Cosmic 18.10 on sdb12" { 

  configfile (hd2,gpt12)/boot/grub/grub.cfg 
  }

Then you get the full grub from your other install.

label version:
https://askubuntu.com/questions/3441...on-a-usb-drive

I know you are light years ahead of most of us, myself included. This is a great idea. I will definitely look into it more.

I agree. This is the only way I know to have a maintenance-free UEFI multiboot setup that includes Fedora. Works with other OS too. In particular, I also use it for Arch-based Manjaro. This was discussed extensively last year in this thread:
https://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=2355551
If you should have two Fedora installations, you can still make the custom menu totally maintenance-free by using two EFI system partitions!
My own working entry:

#!/bin/sh
exec tail -n +3 $0
# This file provides an easy way to add custom menu entries.  Simply type the
# menu entries you want to add after this comment.  Be careful not to change
# the 'exec tail' line above.
menuentry 'FEDORA 28            lvm - menu' {
insmod part_gpt 
insmod fat
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root DE47-135A
chainloader /EFI/fedora/shimx64.efi 
}

This method was proposed for multi-booting by J.A. Watson in his ZDNet columns:
https://www.zdnet.com/blog/jamies-mostly-linux-stuff/
In particular, see the Mar. 24,26,30, 2015 columns.

Sweet. I guess there are more than one way to accomplish this. Arch already uses the EFI UUID, which is probably why it works so well.

I will definitely look into this.

I was just happy to be able to create a custom grub period that did not need to be changed but, this looks like the best idea.

Thanks Fred and Dennis!

Last night, I put together a custom menu that boots into Xubuntu's new kernel, recovery and the backup kernel.
I booted into the backup kernel at present so it works.
FWIW:

#!/bin/sh
echo 1>&2 "Adding Arch Linux, Fedora 28 (Workstation), openSUSE Tumbleweed, Xubuntu 18.04 and Windows 10"
exec tail -n +3 $0
# This file provides an easy way to add custom menu entries.  Simply type the
# menu entries you want to add after this comment.  Be careful not to change
# the 'exec tail' line above.
menuentry 'Arch Linux' --class arch --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os $menuentry_id_option 'gnulinux-simple-bbca28b2-503e-4dc8-9850-c54bd0492da8' {
    load_video
    set gfxpayload=keep
    insmod gzio
    insmod part_gpt
    insmod fat
    set root='hd2,gpt1'
    search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 688D-126B
    linux  /vmlinuz-linux root=UUID=bbca28b2-503e-4dc8-9850-c54bd0492da8 rw  quiet
    initrd /intel-ucode.img /initramfs-linux.img
}
menuentry 'Arch Linux (fallback kernel)' --class arch --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os $menuentry_id_option 'gnulinux-linux-fallback-bbca28b2-503e-4dc8-9850-c54bd0492da8' {
    load_video
    set gfxpayload=keep
    insmod gzio
    insmod part_gpt
    insmod fat
    set root='hd2,gpt1'
    search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 688D-126B
    linux  /vmlinuz-linux root=UUID=bbca28b2-503e-4dc8-9850-c54bd0492da8 rw  quiet
    initrd /initramfs-linux-fallback.img
}
menuentry 'Fedora (Workstation)' --class fedora --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os --unrestricted $menuentry_id_option 'gnulinux-simple-9084e0b8-b05b-41af-a4eb-902a0bebe70a' {
    load_video
    set gfxpayload=keep
    insmod gzio
    insmod part_gpt
    insmod ext2
    set root='hd2,gpt8'
    search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 9084e0b8-b05b-41af-a4eb-902a0bebe70a
    linux  /boot/vmlinuz root=UUID=9084e0b8-b05b-41af-a4eb-902a0bebe70a ro rd.driver.blacklist=nouveau resume=UUID=bbc771f8-ba61-4e50-aeca-d2754b112aee rhgb quiet
    initrd /boot/initrd
}
menuentry 'openSUSE Tumbleweed' --class opensuse --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os $menuentry_id_option 'osprober-gnulinux-simple-06d2aa5d-5c70-4916-9f8f-219f93668d52' {
    insmod part_gpt
    insmod ext2
    set root='hd2,gpt7'
    search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 06d2aa5d-5c70-4916-9f8f-219f93668d52
    linux  /boot/vmlinuz root=/dev/sdc7 splash=silent resume=/dev/disk/by-uuid/bbc771f8-ba61-4e50-aeca-d2754b112aee quiet
    initrd /boot/initrd
}
menuentry 'Xubuntu 18.04' --class ubuntu --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os $menuentry_id_option 'gnulinux-simple-27fb4082-7bd3-4974-9fa5-d2b43886513b' {
    recordfail
    load_video
    gfxmode $linux_gfx_mode
    insmod gzio
    insmod part_gpt
    insmod ext2
    set root='hd2,gpt9'
    search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 27fb4082-7bd3-4974-9fa5-d2b43886513b
    linux  /vmlinuz root=UUID=27fb4082-7bd3-4974-9fa5-d2b43886513b ro quiet splash $vt_handoff
    initrd /initrd.img
}
menuentry 'Ubuntu (recovery mode)' --class ubuntu --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os $menuentry_id_option 'gnulinux-4.15.0-39-generic-recovery-27fb4082-7bd3-4974-9fa5-d2b43886513b' {
    recordfail
    load_video
        gfxmode $linux_gfx_mode
    insmod gzio
    insmod part_gpt
    insmod ext2
    set root='hd2,gpt9'
    search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 27fb4082-7bd3-4974-9fa5-d2b43886513b
        linux    /vmlinuz root=UUID=27fb4082-7bd3-4974-9fa5-d2b43886513b ro recovery nomodeset 
    initrd    /initrd.img
}
menuentry 'Xubuntu 18.04 (backup kernel)' --class ubuntu --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os $menuentry_id_option 'gnulinux-simple-27fb4082-7bd3-4974-9fa5-d2b43886513b' {
    recordfail
    load_video
    gfxmode $linux_gfx_mode
    insmod gzio
    insmod part_gpt
    insmod ext2
    set root='hd2,gpt9'
    search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 27fb4082-7bd3-4974-9fa5-d2b43886513b
    linux  /vmlinuz.old root=UUID=27fb4082-7bd3-4974-9fa5-d2b43886513b ro quiet splash $vt_handoff
    initrd /initrd.img.old
}
menuentry 'Windows 10' --class windows --class os $menuentry_id_option 'osprober-efi-688D-126B' {
    insmod part_gpt
    insmod fat
    set root='hd2,gpt1'
    search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 688D-126B
    chainloader /EFI/Microsoft/Boot/bootmgfw.efi
}