Force Linux Mint 21 to install in LEGACY MODE

[SHESH]

Hi folk,

I ran into a problem with clean installing the new Mint 21.
My Notebook (HP Probook 6470b) has two physical hard drives, for Windows 7 and Linux and both are booted seperately via BIOS in Legacy mode at startup (instead of GRUB).
So, the second drive must be installed with an OS in Legacy mode only. UEFI mode is disabled in BIOS.

Problem is: when I boot into the live USB, it always installs Mint in UEFI mode, even if I try manual partitioning. While manual partitioning it says "no EFI System Partition was found".
And after installing Mint in UEFI mode, the drive doesnt recognize any OS on it with an error message. It only boots if I enable UEFI in BIOS.


The question is now, how do I force the Mint Installer to install in LEGACY MODE???
The USB stick was made with rufus in MBR mode and also booted in Legacy mode.

Greets

[pbear]

It's a known bug, inherited by Mint from Ubuntu. If you boot in legacy mode and use the default erase-and-install method, you will get a superfluous EFI partition, but the installed system will boot in legacy mode, i.e., both boot loaders are being installed. Alternatively, you can use manual partitioning. When you get the warning about no-EFI-partition, click Continue. The installation will complete and the installed system will boot fine.

ETA: If option one doesn't work, that's a firmware problem. The solution is to reinstall using manual partitioning and the Something Else method.

[Marie SWE]

Check out this thread: (LM20 - legacy erase & install issues) viewtopic.php?f=46&t=326270
You will find how to solve it in that thread.
Good Luck with the install of Mint21

[Pierre]

you should select Legacy Boot from your BIOS using F12 / F9 or similar to do that.

once you are using Legacy Mode, then you can use the Gparted program,
to Delete any existing partitions, and then create an maximum of Four Primary Partitions,
- on which to point the LinuxMint Installer onto for it's Installation to proceed.

[pbear]

Please, folks. It's a simple problem, easily solved. Let's not make this sound more complicated than it is.

That said, yes, anyone interested in the back story of the bug probably will find the thread Marie links worth reading.

[Jo-con-Ël]

In appearance you are doing things well. Booting live on BIOS mode if there is no EFI/ESP partition on any disk, installing on a previously formatted MBR disk with Something else.. option, as pbear say, that warning should be omited and Linux Mint system is expected to be installed on BIOS legacy mode.

You can be sure any way. Once you boot Linux Mint live or installed system run following codes on a terminal (copy and paste one line each time and press enter), and post back result using </> Codes option on forum editor as indicated here..

Code: Select all

inxi -Fxxxz
sudo fdisk -l
sudo efibootmgr -v

if booting installed system also post back

Code: Select all

cat /etc/fstab
ls /boot/efi/EFI

result.

[SHESH]

Thanks for your fast replies!

Manual partitioning is not a solution as I dont know how to do it properly with LVM encryption.
I tried the 20.3 installer and it worked fine, installed the distro in Legacy mode. So Im gonna wait until I can upgrade to Mint 21 without clean installing it.

Hopefully it wont create an EFI partition while upgrading.

[Jo-con-Ël]

Manual partitioning is not a solution as I dont know how to do it properly with LVM encryption.

No, it is not . It is just a different option when installing. LVM with encryption option is something you would need to say from the beginning and also in subject.

[pbear]

Right, LVM and encryption is going to be a more difficult problem. Multi-boot encryption? Oh my.

[fahad64]

Probably help
viewtopic.php?p=2234640#p2234640

[pawelnrg]

same problem HP8770w
fahad64
Not. 20.3 not make that problem. install and start OK.

Right, LVM and encryption is going to be a more difficult problem. Multi-boot encryption? Oh my.

single bot encryption. He decide on BIOS with drive use to boot. 20.3 not make that problem. Question is how to force 21 to install same way like 20.3.

[karlchen]

<mod>
iconoclast's report has been turned into a separate thread, to be found over there: viewtopic.php?f=46&t=388926
</mod>