After installing Ubuntu on an Intel Mac, you may get a 'no bootable devices' error or simply a blinking cursor after choosing Ubuntu with rEFIt., or no other operating systems show up at all when holding the Option key on startup. (You may also get a Question Mark Folder on startup). There is a bug in the installer that wipes out information about your partitions in the MBR. This data is required in order to boot what Apple calls "legacy" operating systems (meaning linux, windows).
WARNING: For those that have very complicated multi-boot systems (numerous installs of linux and/or windows). This may leave some of your installs unbootable. Please post in the forum to get specialized help with your setup.
If you Dual-Boot or Triple-Boot:
- If you have the Question Mark Folder icon as descied above then you will need to create a rEFIt CD or install it on a USB key. Otherwise, you can install it normally from within OS X.
- Once you boot into the rEFIt menu, choose to start the partition tool. It will ask if you want to sync your partitions. Say yes. after rebooting, you should be able to select the Linux icon in rEFIt and it will boot into your Ubuntu install.
- PLEASE add your comment to this bug report. This is a serious issue and should be addressed. It will not get attention unless it affects a lot of people: https://bugs.edge.launchpad.net/ubun...ty/+bug/222126
Additional Problems:
After all this, choosing to boot linux from refit can cause a freeze on the Tux logo or still other problems actually booting the OS. Many people have reported this problem to go away if they power down (completely, not reboot) and try to boot into Linux a few times. Please try this first.
If that doesn't work, reinstalling Grub seems to work. Directions are here:
http://ubuntuforums.org/showpost.php...3&postcount=11
Although it indicates that you should install to the Ubuntu partition, you may very likely end up with two boot options if you do. Just install to the MBR unless you also have / want to install windows.
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