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    Ubuntu and Windows 8 Dual Boot

    Discussion in 'Linux Compatibility and Software' started by misterhobbs, Jan 18, 2013.

  1. misterhobbs

    misterhobbs Notebook Evangelist

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    I've read that many have issues with Windows 8 but luckily I was able to set up my system to dual boot Windows 8 (UEFI) and Ubuntu 12.10. However, it's not quite as easy as with Windows 7 because I have to either switch the boot order in BIOS or hold down F7 to bring up the boot options. This really doesn't bother me but it may to others. Also, I think what is making this work with less issues is that I have Windows on my main SSD and Ubuntu on my mSATA ssd with a mechanical drive shared by each. I understand that Ubuntu 12.10 has support for UEFI and that it's possible to work alongside Windows 8 in secure boot, but I was hesitant to combine everything onto the main SSD and use a single boot loader to give me an option to choosing between the two. Have any of you had much or any success with that? Also, my keyboard backlighting is no longer working but I'm sure I just need to find the right driver.
     
    misterhobbs, Jan 18, 2013
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  2. be77solo

    be77solo pc's and planes

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    Curious, ever have any more luck with the dual boot? I've been playing around with Windows 8 and Ubuntu on the same mSATA with varying degrees of success and a couple of reformats trying different things. I have secure boot disabled but do use uefi.

    I can dual boot no problem when using Ubuntu's grub2 as the boot loader and have the OS selection menu at bootup. But, I want to keep using the Windows 8 bootloader. I can get it to show both 8 and Ubuntu, but it won't actually boot into Ubuntu properly. I'm sure its something I've setup wrong but learning as I go ha.
     
    be77solo, Mar 14, 2013
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  3. SuperTechie

    SuperTechie Notebook Enthusiast

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    Unfortunately, the Windows bootloaders are not as advanced as the Linux bootloaders. Come to think of it, Windows is not as advanced as most everything in Linux. Linux is a bettter OS in all aspects. (Security, reliability, usability) You could even argue compatibility, since Linux mounts more file systems, and will run a lot of Windows software, and will set up the bootloader to boot to either OS.

    Can Windows even recognize and read/write a Linux partition? I've never seen it done, but I've hardly used Windows since XP, so maybe it's possible now. This new Windows 7 laptop doesn't mount my Linux partitions. . . which is one of a few reasons I gave up on Windows and installed Ubuntu on it. Running Windows 7 felt like a step backwards.
     
    SuperTechie, Apr 28, 2013
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