!!!~ this article in progress ~!!!
MIS/IT/Developer/Designer types live today in a multi-operating-system/multi-web-browser world. The fancy word we use to refer to this paradigm is “heterogeneity” (which sort of means: lots of systems on one network).
Today, different types of computers are learning to offer more common ground. The people behind these systems do a lot of work to make sharing this common ground easier. At WIGITAL, we too are learning to participate in this effort. Responding to clients and the needs of a diverse computer culture requires us to both “learn” and carry around resources that empower (Linux, Mac, Windows) to work together.
Enter the MacBook Pro.
The Intel based-MacBook offers a platform on which all three Operating Systems can run. MacBooks are costly but they enable one “Tech guy” to carry around one laptop and do “the job”. This weekend, I took my own deep dive into the proverbial swimming pool of multi-booting on the MacBook. Here are my views on the experience, some links, research and walk throughs. If you are thinking of the same, read what’s here (and all over the web) and share your comments.
Resources to get you started (posts I read over the weekend):
Software you need:
Terms to know:
- EFI
- The EFI specification defines a model for the interface between operating systems and platform firmware. The interface consists of data tables that contain platform-related information, plus boot and runtime service calls that are available to the operating system and its loader. Together, these provide a standard environment for booting an operating system and running pre-boot applications.
- http://www.uefi.org/home
HISTORY:
Intel Macs use GPT - GUID Partition Table (which is part of the EFI specification) as the source of information/code relating to partitions and boot information. Modern operating systems are EFI aware “even though” we must go through the BIOS based Multi Boot Record (MBR) method to get our (Linux and WIndows) systems loaded.
Windows Vista, beginning at Service Pack 1, “DOES SUPPORT EFI” - (see Hardware Ecosystem Support in this article). Also, some previous 64bit Windows and Itanium based Windows Operating Systems support EFI.
Older Microsoft Operating systems (XP, Windows 2000 etc…) use MBR - Master Boot Record (which is legacy Windows) as the code to manage partitions and boot. Multibooting on the MacBook requires us to create FAT32 partitions and the MBR table even with EFI aware Vista and Linux. This has proved challenging in multi boot environments that need to implement both the modern EFI GUID Partition Table (Mac as example) and the legacy Master Boot Record. Originally (the old days), pulling this off required a lot of hacking (like this example and this example using this method). The end result, which is still in use today using rEFIt, is a GPT/MBR Hybrid which combines EFI, GPT, MBR, BIOS emulation to get all the partition tables written (and synchronized) for multibooting.
Linux can use both EFI and MBR has been deployed in various ways using rEFIt in both dual and multi boot settings on MacBook. The walkthroughs still rely on initial FAT32 partitions to get things started prior to the installation of Linux and OpenSolaris. These are later converted to Ext3 in Linux and NTFS in Windows.
PARTITIONING:
As has been well outlined in pioneering articles, the primary challenge in multi booting operating systems is the partitioning systems.
Dealing with these partitions, the boot loaders associated with them and ultimately syncing EFI with MBR still remains the primary focus of successfully multibooting Linux, OS X and Windows to a MacBook
NOTES:
Wish List:
- to be able to use EFI/GPT on all partitions (now supported on Mac OS X, Linux, Windows Vista SP1 or later)
Real World:
- create a EFI / GPT Mac OS X partition
- a FAT32 partition (converted during Linux install to Ext3)
- a FAT32 partition (converted during Windows install to NTFS)
Partition Details (basic outline as of today):
- disk0s1 = /dev/sda1 - EFI (Extensible Firmware Interface)
- Apple reserves the first primary partition for the EFI System Partition
- disk0s2 = /dev/sda2 - EFI/HFS+ (Mac Hierarchical File System plus)
- Apple Mac OS X Leopard 1.5.4
- disk0s3 = /dev/sda3 - FAT32
- target for Linux/Open Solaris (later converted to Ext3 in Linux and ZFS in Open Solaris)
- disk0s4 = /dev/sda4 - FAT32
- target for Windows Vista x64 (later converted to NTFS during install)
- NOTE: this process expects Windows to be the last partition on the drive
Partitions Details - (additional info)
- IMPORTANT: the GPT Partition table must show the FAT 32 partitions as Microsoft Basic Data or Mac OS X will not recognize it.
- Because MBR only supports 4 partitions, we must use a Linux Swap File instead of a Swap Partition (when triple-booting). This must be created at the command line.
- Mac OS X can recognize and mount both FAT 32 and NTFS, however the partition must begin as FAT 32. NOTE: the FAT 32 partition can later be converted to NTFS for use with Vista and Windows Server
Helpful Utilities:
Boot: use rEFIt or BootCamp as the Graphic Boot Utility
Multiboot Walkthrough Basics
INSTALLATION (a basic outline)
Phase 1 - Install the base Mac OS System and updates
- Install Mac OS X (base system only)
- Install all updates to OS X
- Install available firmware updates to MacBook
- Install BootCamp
- Install updates to BootCamp
Phase 2 - install rEFIt
Phase 3 - create Windows Driver CD or use Mac OS X installation disc 1
- Run BootCamp Assistant and create Windows Vista SP1 x64 driver CD
-
- Right/Ctrl Click on Boot Camp Assistant
- select Show Package Contents
- copy the Contents/Resources/diskimage.dmg file to your Desktop
- launch Disk Utility and burn the diskimage.dmg image to a CD
- NOTE: you are only using BootCamp for the drivers
- NOTE: DO NOT partition with BootCamp
- more…
Phase 4 - list and Create your Partitions
Open a terminal window and type: diskUtil list
the result should look like:
/dev/disk0
#: type name size identifier
0: GUID_partition_scheme *233.8 GB disk0
1: EFI 200.0 MB disk0s1
2: Apple_HFS Macintosh HD 233.4 GB disk0s2
Locate the identifier for your Mac OS X partition (in this example disk0s2).
To create the partitions for your multi boot system type the command using the following syntax:
sudo diskutil resizeVolume [disk identifier] [disk size] [partition type] ["Partition label"] [partition size] [partition type] ["Partition label"] [partition size]
In my scenario, I’m working on a 200GB hard drive, I would therefore type:
sudo diskutil resizeVolume disk0s2 50G "Linux" "Linux" 100G "MS-DOS FAT32" "Windows" 15G
CREATE PARTITIONS
With the MacBook, partitions can be created either at the command line or using the Graphical DiskUtilities tool.
COMMAND LINE SETUP OF PARTITIONS
- in Mac OS X, launch Terminal
-
type diskUtil list
**this will display all the current paritions
Last login: Sat Jul 19 14:30:15 on ttys000
mark-raborns-macbook-pro:~ wigital$ diskutil list
/dev/disk0
#: TYPE NAME SIZE IDENTIFIER
0: GUID_partition_scheme *186.3 Gi disk0
1: EFI 200.0 Mi disk0s1
2: Apple_HFS Macintosh HD 186.0 Gi disk0s2
mark-raborns-macbook-pro:~ wigital$
In our scenario, we have a 200GB hard drive
14GB are used by ?
disk0s2 is the HFSplus partition used by the MAC
We now resize this disk and create 2 new partitions for Sun Open Solaris and Windows Vista
In Mac Terminal, type the command
sudo diskutil resizeVolume disk0s2 34G “MS-DOS FAT32″ “Linux” 100G “MS-DOS FAT32″ “Windows” 50G
OR
*Insert the Mac OS X installation DVD
*When the DVD autoplays you will view this screen - Picture 3
*click Install Mac OS X and Bundled Software
*When the Install Mac OS X Restart windows appears, click (Restart) - Picture 4
*enter you password - Picture 5
When you get to the Welcome screen, select Disk Utility from the Utilities menu
When Disk Utility starts, select the MacBook’s hard disk, my Disk Description is: “FUJITSU MHY2200BH Media”
select the Partition tab on the right panel
*under Volume Scheme:
**click once on the Macintosh HD to change the Volume Scheme
**click the [ + ] button (a second Volume HD_2 will appear)
**click once on the second Volume
**in the Name: box, name the Disk Description partition: “LINUX”
**click the [ + ] button (a third Volume HD_3 will appear)
**click once on the third Volume
**in the Name: box, name the Disk Description partition: “WINDOWS”
In my scenario
**Volume 1: in the Size: box, set the size of the Macintosh HD partition: “65.00″
**Volume 2: in the Size: box, set the size of the LINUX partition: “25.00″
**Volume 3: in the Size: box, set the size of the WINDOWS partition: “95.00″
click Apply
once the existing Partition has been resized and the new Partitions have been created
*Quit the Disk Utility
If you are creating a fresh installation, then Install Mac OS X
If Max OS X was already installed in your system and you require no changes
*Quit the Mac OS X Installer
*select Restart
*eject the Mac OS X installation disc
WINDOWS
*Eject any discs that may be in the DVD drive
*insert the Windows Vista x64 disc
*restart the MacBook
*listen for the chime, hold down the C key when the chime sounds, this boots from CD/DVD
with rEFIt
*you can also insert the Windows Vista DVD
*start the MacBook and let rEFIt come up
*tab to the Boot from Windows CD option
*press return
*the MacBook will boot to the Windows Vista DVD setup
At Windows Vista setup
*Select
**Language
**Time and currency
**Keyboard or input method
*click Next
*click Install now
*enter your Product Key
*accept the Terms
*select Custom at “Which type of installation do you want?” screen
*you should now see a list of partitions
**BE VERY CAREFUL NOT TO DELETE OR OVERWRITE ANY PARTITIONS labeled as “Unallocated Space”
**click on Drive options (advanced)
**highlight the partition you created earlier with the Disk Description “WINDOWS”
**NOTE: this partition should appear as Disk 0 Partition 4 WINDOWS
**click on Format
**you will receive a warning about data, click OK
**once formatted (should be very fast), click Next
*the installer will begin Installing Windows
Copying files
Expanding files (0% etc… this portion may take some time)
Installing features
Installing updates
Completing installation
Once Windows Vista is installed, the system will reboot.
Allow the system to go into the rEFIt boot manager
from the available options, select Boot Windows from Partition 4
the Windows Vista x64 installer will continue at this point
<code>Please wait while Window Sets up your computer</code>
after some time it will return to the Preinstallation Environment GUI showing
Completing installation …
once the Installation is complete, the system will reboot once again
*when rEFIt comes up, boot into Windows Vista, select Boot Windows from Partition 4
*go through the OOBE (Out of Box Experience) screens and select your preferences (Windows Update settings, time and date, etc…)
*once OOBE is complete, click Start
*you will view the “Please wait will Windows launches for the first time” display
*once complete, you will view the Windows Vista welcome screen for the first time
ADD WINDOWS DRIVERS
*insert the Mac OS X installation disk 1
*when the AutoPlay window appears, select Open folder to view files
*navigate to WindowsSupport\Boot Camp\
*double-click Setup
*A program needs your permission to continue , select Continue
*this launches Boot Camp installer, click Next
*select I accept the terms in the license agreement, click Next
*click Install
Installing Apple Softrware Update Apple Built-in iSight
**Bluetooth
Broadcom wireless
Apple Null Divers
Crystal Bach
ATI graphics
NVIDIA graphics
Sigmatel audio
***Removing old RealTek audio driver
RealTek audio
Apple Built_In Bluetooth
Apple REmote
Apple Keybaord Support
Apple Cinema Display
Copying new files
APPle Time Service
Keyboard Servidee
Apple Trackpad
Music HAL
Intel chipset, etc…
When you reach Boot Camp installer completed.
click Finish
click Yes to Restart
Windows Vista reboots, when rEFIt boot loader select Boot Windows from Partition 4
when Vista launches, you may very well experience your fastest Vista experience ever
UBUNTU
- insert Ubuntu 8.04 LiveCD
- at rEFIt, select to boot from Linux CD
- select to Install Ubuntu
- select Language,Time and Keyboard options (your Country - Macintosh), click Forward
- at Prepare disk space screen in Install, you will be asked “How do you want to partition the disk?, select Manual, click Forward
- system will begin Scanning disks
- highlight /dev/sda3 (which should read fat32 in the Type column), select Edit partition
- from the Use as: drop down:
- select Ext3 journamling file system
- DO NOT check the box labeled Format the partition:
- in the Mount point: enter “/”
- click OK
- click Forward
- you will receive a WARNING “Do you want to return to the partitioning menu?”. This warning will inform you “You have not selected any partitions for use as swap space.” Click Continue.
- Enter the Who are you? information, click Forward
- There is no need to migrate documents, click Forward
- !!! IMPORTANT !!! - at the last Ready to Install screen, CLICK THE “Advanced” button
- in Advanced Options, from the drop down in Device for boot loader installation: select /dev/sda3
- DO NOT Install boot loader to (hd0). This is the hard drive and not the sda3 partition. Installing boot loader to (hd0) will cause the boot loader to fight with rEFIt and also take over the boot loading process for Vista (which means booting to Linux to then boot to Vista. We prefer rEFIt to be our “one and only boot loader”. Installing the boot loader to /dev/sda3 keeps Mac OS X, Vista and Linux all accessible from withing the rEFIt GUI.
- once this is set… click Install
NOTES:
Once the installation is complete, the FAT32 partition will have been re-formated replaced by the Ext3 partition. The Ext3 partition is not readable from within Mac OS x without third party software.
OPEN SOLARIS
*attach a USB keyboard to the MacBook Pro
**(on my install, OpenSolaris read the MacBook Pro keyboard as USB but would not take input from the number keys on the keyboard)
*attach a USB mouse to the MacBook Pro (ctrl+click not supported by Solaris)
*Insert OpenSolaris 2008.05
*reboot the system
*once rEFIt appears, select Boot Legacy OS from CD
GNU BRUB version 0.95
OpenSolaris 2008.05
OpenSolaris 2008.05text console
Boot from Hard Disk
*Highlight OpenSolaris 2008.05 and press Enter
*Select the keyboard layout (using External USB keyboard), press Enter
*Select the desktop language, press Enter
Configuring devices.
Mounting local partitions/cdroms
Reading ZFS config: done.
opensolaris console login:
…wait while opensolaris prepares it’s Live environment
*Close the OpenSolaris License (external USB mouse can now be used)
*double-click the Install OpenSolaris icon
*at OpenSolaris Installer, click Next
*on the Disk screen, Paritions should read
EFI PMBR (EFI primary)
Unknown (HFSplus - Mac OS X)
Win95 FAT32 (will be used with OpenSolaris)
IFS: NTFS (Windows Vista x64)
*click Win95 FAT32 and select Solaris, click Next
*Select Tim Zone, Date and Time, click Next
*select Locale, click Next
*enter Root Password, Name, username and password and Computer name, click Next
*review your settings, click Install
OPEN SOLARIS BUG: Bug ID 6413235
In my installation the Open Solaris Bug 6413235 would not enable me to install. The Bug relates to an issue with FDisk where FDisk fails to create the Partition Table for Linux.
Read about Bug 6413235 here:
http://bugs.opensolaris.org/view_bug.do?bug_id=6413235
Solve the issue here:
http://www.genunix.org/wiki/index.php/OpenSolaris_Dual_Boot
Here is an overview of the proceedure.
*boot into Mac OS X
*install rEFIt
*insert the GPartEd LiveCD
*reboot into rEFIt
*once rEFIt appears, select Boot Legacy OS from CD
*connect a USB Keyboard and USB mouse (necessary on some MacBook’s as MacBook keyboard/touchpad not recognized)
*answer the Keyboard and Language questions
*complete boot into Debian/GPartEd
GPartEd Terminal
*the GPartEd application and Terminal will be on the Desktop
*double-click the Terminal
*at the Terminal window type: # fdisk /dev/sda
*…. a block of text information will appear
*enter the following commands as each line appears
<code>
Command (m for help): t
Partition number (1-4): 1
Hex code (type L to list codes): af
Changed system type of partition 1
Command (m for help): w
The partition table has been altered!
calling ioctl() to re-read partition table
syncing disks.
</code>
GParted application
*if it is not alread open, double-click GParted on the desktop
*my display was something similar to this:
<pre>
Partition | Filesystem | Label | Size | Used | Unused | Flags
/dev/sda1 fat32 EFI
/dev/sda2 hfs+
unallocated unallocated
/dev/sda3 fat32
/dev/sda4 ntfs
</pre>
/dev/sda is the EFI bootloader partition (changed to FAT 32 by applying the Hex code “AF” in the Terminal steps above
/dev/sda2 is the hfs+ partition for Mac OS X
unallocated should not be changed
/dev/sda3 is the fat32 partition which is our destination for OPEN SOLARIS
/dev/sda4 is the ntfs partion (converted from fat32 during the Vista x64 installation)
*highlight the /dev/sda3 partition (click once with mouse)
*go to Partition | Format to | and select linux-swap
*in the display /dev/sda3 will change from fat32 to linux-swap
*the footer of the application will display: “1 operation pending”
*to Apply the changes, click the Apply button (top of application)
*the changes will be made
*Exit GParted and reboot into rEFIt