01-06-2015, 01:36 AM
(This post was last modified: 01-06-2015, 01:40 AM by gold_finger.)
You can just boot up a live Linux DVD/USB (if they're not running Linux already) and run "sudo parted -l" command to see which partition type is being used. Here's an example of first few lines from that command with area you need to look at highlighted in red:
Model: ATA WDC WD3200BEKT-2 (scsi)
Disk /dev/sda: 320GB
Sector size (logical/physical): 512B/512B
Partition Table: msdos
Just in case you are all set to go with installation and I'm not able to get back on forum in timely manner, I'm going to post instructions for installing and converting now.
To Install
Just follow this tutorial. That will get you installed in legacy mode. If for some reason the partitioning software of the installer (or GParted itself) does not "see" your Windows partitions -- do not proceed. Just stop and report back here.
Once install is done, you'll need to go into main UEFI settings and turn off UEFI booting -- or set for Legacy/CSM (not sure what the wording will be on that). Only then will you be able to boot into the LL installation. Otherwise it will just boot straight into Windows as if nothing else is there.
To Convert to UEFI
When you've got it booted into LL, open GParted (Menu->System->Partition Drives) and look at the drive partitions. You want to find out which partition is the "EFI System Partition". It should be one of the first two partitions on the drive and it will be a small (100-500MB) FAT32 formatted partition. Make a mental note of which partition that is because you will need to know that for the conversion process. (NOTE: There may also be a small NTFS formatted partition present on drive also -- that is not the one you want.)
Then, just follow instructions I posted on this thread (starting with step #4 in your case) to convert your install to UEFI mode.
If you've got any questions about anything before you start, feel free to ask.
P.s. If this method does not work to convert the installation, there is another way that will but it is more complicated. We'll cross that bridge later if necessary.
Model: ATA WDC WD3200BEKT-2 (scsi)
Disk /dev/sda: 320GB
Sector size (logical/physical): 512B/512B
Partition Table: msdos
Just in case you are all set to go with installation and I'm not able to get back on forum in timely manner, I'm going to post instructions for installing and converting now.
To Install
Just follow this tutorial. That will get you installed in legacy mode. If for some reason the partitioning software of the installer (or GParted itself) does not "see" your Windows partitions -- do not proceed. Just stop and report back here.
Once install is done, you'll need to go into main UEFI settings and turn off UEFI booting -- or set for Legacy/CSM (not sure what the wording will be on that). Only then will you be able to boot into the LL installation. Otherwise it will just boot straight into Windows as if nothing else is there.
To Convert to UEFI
When you've got it booted into LL, open GParted (Menu->System->Partition Drives) and look at the drive partitions. You want to find out which partition is the "EFI System Partition". It should be one of the first two partitions on the drive and it will be a small (100-500MB) FAT32 formatted partition. Make a mental note of which partition that is because you will need to know that for the conversion process. (NOTE: There may also be a small NTFS formatted partition present on drive also -- that is not the one you want.)
Then, just follow instructions I posted on this thread (starting with step #4 in your case) to convert your install to UEFI mode.
If you've got any questions about anything before you start, feel free to ask.
P.s. If this method does not work to convert the installation, there is another way that will but it is more complicated. We'll cross that bridge later if necessary.
Try Linux Beginner Search Engine for answers to Linux questions.