EFI booting hangs

[Melab]

I have a fit-PC3 on which I am trying to boot Linux in EFI mode. The problem is that the booting process (or maybe it's just the graphics) hangs right when GRUB2 says that it is loading the initrd. It doesn't matter if it's an already-setup Ubuntu installation, the Ubuntu installer ISO, or another distro's installer or installation. No further updates to the display happen.

To find out if it is just a case of graphics not working and that the OS is actually booting up and running, I wrote a script that I included in my initramfs on my bootable Ubuntu USB which mounts a partition and appends information about the motherboard on which the OS is running to a log on the mounted partition. I verified that it works on other computers, but nothing is recorded when booting my USB's kernel on my fit-PC3.

Things I have tried which don't work:

• Using a different bootloader. The same problem happens when I used rEFInd.
• Using the boot option "nomodeset".
• Using the boot options "acpi=off" and "pci=biosirq" as in this solution to a similar-sounding problem.
• Talking to the manufacturer. They wouldn't even try to reproduce the problem.

How might I fix this?

Note, that I can boot Linux successfully in BIOS mode. Also, I know that my USB drive boots just fine in EFI mode on other computers, so the fit-PC3's EFI is likely buggy/flawed is thus the likely culprit. But, that doesn't mean some combination of boot options/paramters, modules, and whatever else can't solve this.

Finally, please don't ask me why I want to use EFI mode instead of BIOS mode. I just do and discussing my reasons will only bog down the thread.

[oldfred]

How much RAM?
I could not install Ubuntu 20.04 (only as test) on my 2006 BIOS only laptop. Laptop only has 1.5 GB of RAM and old slow HDD.
Both batteries are dead, but as long as connected to power it works.
I was able to install server & add lightweight gui.
I then tried Kubuntu which I normally use on newer desktop & laptop. And was surprised it was light enough to work.

Or long way of saying have you tried a lighter weight flavor.
https://ubuntu.com/download/flavours
Light weight flavors:
Lubuntu, Xubuntu, Ubuntu MATE, Budgie
Flavors of Ubuntu only come with three years of supported life (five years applies to Ubuntu Desktop, Ubuntu Server but not flavors)

[dragonfly41]

When recently booting into my Windows 10 dual boot I discovered a Windows only app named EasyUEFI.This is available (as are many Windows apps) on a free 15 days trial basis after which purchase is needed. But during the trial period you can inspect your EFI settings. I complicate matters by adding rEFInd.

[Melab]

How much RAM?
I could not install Ubuntu 20.04 (only as test) on my 2006 BIOS only laptop. Laptop only has 1.5 GB of RAM and old slow HDD.
Both batteries are dead, but as long as connected to power it works.
I was able to install server & add lightweight gui.
I then tried Kubuntu which I normally use on newer desktop & laptop. And was surprised it was light enough to work.

Or long way of saying have you tried a lighter weight flavor.
https://ubuntu.com/download/flavours
Light weight flavors:
Lubuntu, Xubuntu, Ubuntu MATE, Budgie
Flavors of Ubuntu only come with three years of supported life (five years applies to Ubuntu Desktop, Ubuntu Server but not flavors)

If RAM is not a problem in BIOS mode, then I'm pretty sure it's not the problem in EFI mode.

I've tried lighter distros and it is still the same problem.

[Melab]

When recently booting into my Windows 10 dual boot I discovered a Windows only app named EasyUEFI.This is available (as are many Windows apps) on a free 15 days trial basis after which purchase is needed. But during the trial period you can inspect your EFI settings. I complicate matters by adding rEFInd.

1. I don't have a Windows installation for my fit-PC3.
2. I wouldn't even know what settings to look for.
3. Even if I did know what settings to look for, going by the screenshots, it looks like it only controls boot entries.

[dragonfly41]

I should have researched more.


fit-PC3
fit-PC Slim has General Software BIOS supporting PXE and booting from a USB CDROM or USB thumb drive. It is pre-installed with either Windows Vista or with Ubuntu 8.10 and Gentoo Linux 2008.0 . Also Windows Embedded can be used, or pre-installed on a FlowDrive.

But above refers to Windws Vista. So be it.

[Melab]

I should have researched more.


fit-PC3
fit-PC Slim has General Software BIOS supporting PXE and booting from a USB CDROM or USB thumb drive. It is pre-installed with either Windows Vista or with Ubuntu 8.10 and Gentoo Linux 2008.0 . Also Windows Embedded can be used, or pre-installed on a FlowDrive.

But above refers to Windws Vista. So be it.

I don't have a fit-PC Slim. That's not my device.

[tea for one]

I notice that this has been on your radar since August 2020?
https://askubuntu.com/questions/1268...art-on-fit-pc3

Some suggestions:-

Have you tried using rEFInd on a portable USB device?
You have the option of launching an EFI shell.
Does the shell appear?

Remove the internal disk(s)
Can you boot anything in UEFI mode?

Is your UEFI firmware the latest iteration?

Finally, please don't ask me why I want to use EFI mode instead of BIOS mode. I just do and discussing my reasons will only bog down the thread.

I have to ask - it's giving me sleepless nights...........

[MAFoElffen]

Fit-PC's Support has two different instructions for booting UEFI USB install disks on their machines, based on if their PC has either AMI or Phoenix BIOS...

Basically for both, they recommend that the USB installer be created using Rufus, with a GPT partition table... Here's where the differences are:

For Phoenix BIOS:

• On the target PC set USB to be the first boot device in the boot order (BIOS defaults).
• Connect the prepared bootable USB drive to the target PC and boot from it.
• Press F5 during boot until the One-Time-Boot menu appears.
• Browse to the Main -> Boot Features menu and set the CSM Support setting to No.
• Press F10 and Yes to save the changes, and Exit.
• Press F5 during boot until the One Time Boot menu appears.
• Choose the USB HDD option from the list of bootable devices.
• The system will boot from the installation media.

For AMI BIOS:

• Connect the created media to the PC.
• Power up the PC.
• Press the F7 key during the BIOS boot until the One Time boot menu appears.
• Choose the installation media device.
• The system will boot from the installation media.

[Melab]

Have you tried using rEFInd on a portable USB device?

Yes, as I said in my OP.

You have the option of launching an EFI shell.
Does the shell appear?

Yes.

Remove the internal disk(s)
Can you boot anything in UEFI mode?

I have attempted this both with and without the internal drive. I have been able to boot GRUB, rEFInd, and systemd-boot.

Is your UEFI firmware the latest iteration?

It is the second latest.

I have to ask - it's giving me sleepless nights...........

I like EFI.