XPS 8700 multi-boot issue

Hi Backthatthingupyoyoyo,

The "new BIOS" is UEFI. If you want to boot a non-Windows OS that does not support UEFI, you need to set the BIOS to legacy. Of course, this will require reinstalling Windows 8.

I've already set the BIOS to Legacy. I'd actually done that before I attempted to install the Linux distro.

So, when it wouldn't boot as previously described, I "REMOVED" the Win8 disk from the machine entirely and reinstalled Linux on the external USB2 drive. NO GO. Still would not boot. Same issue as before. So is this a case where I have to also "hunt down and remove" the 32GB SSD that's used to provide the so-called fastboot? BTW, where is this card?

Never had so much trouble with a DELL Box. Don't think I'll ever buy again (I've exclusively purchased DELL machines for the passed 10-12 years). I may have to rethink my next purchase and maybe go with HP?

Here are the manuals for information on removing the mSATA card.

As to why your version of Centos cannot boot that system, I'll defer to Linux experts.

Hi Dzrtman

Since your last post Ubuntuone service has been terminated.

Would it be possible to make the article available somewhere else? I'm looking to have a dual boot system with windows 8.1 and ubuntu 14.04.

Thanks in advance

cordeu

Hello Cordue,

The document is a 21.7mb pdf, which I believe is too large to load to the Dell forum site. I don't subscribe to any drop-box like services, so now Ubuntuone has been terminated, how would you like to receive this document?

Dzrtman

Side by side Dual Boot has been a feature of UBUNTU since 12.04.2

As long as you are not using Secure boot Its not an issue to install Ubuntu onto an NTFS partition with

XP/VISTA/7/8/10 windows.

I do not recommend getting a malware infected PDF file or ZIP file or link to find out how to do something that is natively supported by UBUNTU.WUBI is an Ubuntu installer which allows to "install and uninstall Ubuntu in the same way as any other Windows application.

CSM Legacy UEFI Boot requires a reinstall of windows from scratch.

So you install windows first.

Then you install UBUNTU Side By Side with windows and PICK which OS boots once you restart.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wubi_%28software%29

ubuntu-12.04.5-dvd-i386.iso

ubuntu-12.04.5-dvd-amd64.iso

Hi Dzrtman

Services like speedyshare.com allow uploading the file without registering. Just share the link when you finish.

I've been using dual boot Windows-Ubuntu for few years but is slightly different with Windows 8 and I would appreciate the guide.

Regards

cordeu

Hi Cordeu,

i was wondering if you got ubuntu running on your dell? I have the same problem and I am searching the web for a solution. I would very much appreciate if you could share your experiences.

Regards,

Borris

I pulled the add-on card, ditched the Win8 ***-OS, got my hands on a Win7-Pro license and haven't looked back.

From what I've seen in mainstream blogs, "MicroSloth" appears to have gotten the message as to how "great" Win8 is NOT.

As to future PCs, not one more will be a Dell.

Hi Borris,

I gave a copy of my guide to Cordue. The guide will be available at the following location for 30 days: 

Download at SpeedyShare

Good luck :emotion-1:

Dzrtman

Hi Borris

I used the above guide and got dual-boot working in no time. Dzrtman really did a great job compiling all the info, there are even screenshoots for everything!!

With that said, I'm not impressed with 8.1 and will stick with Ubuntu. Anyway, It's handy to have windows working since we've already paid for the licence.

Dzrtman, thanks again for the guide.

Cordeu

Thank you very much for the guide!! Worked like a charm. I finally managed to install kubuntu and even got the nvidia card running.

The installation in my case was even a bit easier (when you know what to do). On my machine there is an Intel rapid storage program already installed from where you can turn off the IRST acceleration. So for others, in total here is what I did to install Linux:

(1. Make some space available on your hard disk (e.g. in Windows / or later with gparted))

2. Enter EFI (new BIOS)

3. Turn secure boot off (still in EFI mode, not legacy)

4. Change boot priority (to USB first if you want to boot from USB)

5. in Windows search for the intel rapid storage app/program, open it and turn off the SSD acceleration. You can even release the SSD and make it available again for other purposes (although I didn't try this)

6. Boot with a live USB or CD and install what ever Linux you want

7. On your own risk(!!!) you might even turn SSD acceleration on again after the installation

8. Enjoy!

Thanks again to Dzrtman and cordeu!

I don't know if this can help anyone. Anyway after a day or two trying to figure out how to solve this I managed to install ubuntu thanks to wubiefi without much effort.