samuel_1991

Q: Tutorial - How to triple boot OSX, Linux and Windows 8.1 with a shared Data Partition without any third party Win / OSX softwares

This is not a question, but rather a personal guide that has proved to be running successfully.

 

I would like to thank numerous sources, including Christopher Murphy's suggestions at:

 

Re: Repairing Boot Camp after creating new partition

 

Before proceeding, there are certain concepts needs to know:

 

Why Boot Camp does NOT allow further partitioning of drives after Windows has installed?

 

Answer: Because the way Apple configures the Mac to be recognized as non UEFI capable system on Windows.

 

Quote from Christopher Murphy based on the above line:

 

However, Windows on Macs right now use CSM-BIOS mode in Mac firmware that presents BIOS to Windows rather than EFI. Windows thinks it's on a BIOS computer, and therefore mandates the use of MBR for boot disks, rather than GPT. So that's why we have this hybrid MBR+GPT approach on Mac with Windows on it. You inherit the limitations of MBR, which is four primary partitions.

 

So what does it means?

 

It means that OSX + EFI + Recovery HD + Boot Camp partition = 4 primary partitions and thus any attempt to modify the disk will render booting issues of either system.

 

For more info on GPT (GUID Partition Table disks VS Master Boot Record or MBR in short, you may visit: http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/hardware/dn640535%28v=vs.85%29.a spx)

 

So, how to overcome it?

 

The general guideline is to install ALL GPT ready OS first then create a Data partition, before installing Windows (Which is again, NOT supported GPT due to EFI configuration by Apple where end-users are not able to modify it).

 

Interestingly, since Mac Pro 2013 Late supports only Windows 8 and above, thus it is not known if this CSM-BIOS applies to it or not.

 

Do take note that GPT disks in Windows can only be booted when the system meets the 2 requirements:

 

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/hardware/dn640535%28v=vs.85%29.a spx#gpt_faq_win7_boot

 

1) Windows x64 version (Which is a must for newer Macs. If you cannot go to Boot Camp 5, then you need Windows 7 x86 or 32bit version)

 

2) UEFI system. However, Windows sees all Macs (With the possibility of Mac Pro 2013 Late is an exception. To be determined) as BIOS, or rather NON-UEFI system.

 

In short, booting on GPT disks is not possible for Mac in Windows.

 

Summary,

 

It is tested that a combination of the following will not work:

 

- OSX + Windows + Linux

 

- Windows + OSX + Linux

 

- Windows + Linux + OSX

 

Usually it can create the system un-bootable or OSX refused to install due to the system does not recognize such partitions and / or Disk Utility refused to format a free space. An example screen-shot is provided below:

 

The error message is shown as

Title: "Failed to erase volume" Message: "Failed to wipe volume, as an error occurred: MediaKit has reported that the device does not have enough free space to execute the requested operations."

MediaKit Error.JPG

 

 

The second thing is about the preparations we need.

 

1) 1X Windows 7 or 8 DVD or USB thumbdrive

 

1A) If you uses a DVD to install, you will need another thumbdrive to load the BootCamp drivers for Windows as well as may requires an external DVD drive for newer Macs

 

2) 1X Linux DVD of your choice. Personally I choose Fedora 20.

 

So ready? Let's go.

 

1. Using Disk Utility, shrink the OSX's partition size to what is needed. For me, I give OSX 150GB. Do NOT create any new partition.

 

Disk Utility should see something like below whereby only OSX partition is left with desired disk space. The remaining space are to be unused disk space for the moment.

 

1 - Shrink OSX Partition.JPG

 

 

Note: Click on the top most item that should start with the size of your HDD / SSD. Then clicked on "Partition" and specify the desired OSX size. Hit "Apply" after that.

 

2: Download Boot Camp drivers only via Boot Camp Assistant. The USB thumbdrive shall be used later after Linux's installation.

 

Boot Camp Assistant should see this:

 

I have only selected "Download latest Windows Support Files from Apple"

2 - Download Boot Camp Drivers ONLY.JPG

 

3. Insert Linux DVD, reboot Mac into EFI mode (The left most first "EFI mode").

 

Note 1: Before rebooting, please plugged in an Ethernet adapter because Wi-Fi drivers is not installed.

 

Note 2: For Thunderbolt adapters, it must be plugged in before reboot as hot-swapping is not supported under Linux. More on the tips at the end of this article.

 

Note 3: Press and hold "Option" after the screen turns black. Release Option key after you see the image as below:

3 - Boot into Linux EFI.JPG

MacBook Pro with Retina display, OS X Mavericks (10.9.4)

Posted on Sep 1, 2014 9:24 AM

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Q: Tutorial - How to triple boot OSX, Linux and Windows 8.1 with a shared Data Partition without any third party Win / OSX softwares

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  • by samuel_1991,

    samuel_1991 samuel_1991 Sep 1, 2014 9:31 AM in response to samuel_1991
    Level 1 (5 points)
    Sep 1, 2014 9:31 AM in response to samuel_1991

    4. Run Linux installer, and choose the create the following partitions IN ORDER:

     

    /boot (500MB. Ext4)

     

    /boot/efi (200MB. Ext4)

     

    / (Depends how much you need, for my case, 100GB. I choose ext4 and I do not recommend LVM or BTRFS for inter-OS compatibility reason)

     

    swap (8GB, but there is a guide on swap depending on your machine's RAM. Reference: http://docs.fedoraproject.org/en-US/Fedora/20/html/Installation_Guide/s2-diskpar trecommend-x86.html)

     

    These are the rough interface I saw step by step:

     

     

    - Click on "Installation Location" (With the exclamation mark)

     

    4 - Preparing to setup Linux Installer.JPG

     

    - Ensures that the internal HDD / SSD is selected with a tick. Click on "Finished" on the top left corner as shown below:

     

    4a - Destination Drive is auto selected.JPG

    Fedora will prompt how the disk should be used. We should select "Before proceeding, I would like to view / modify disk's partition" and the partition layout should be "Standard Partition" and not LVM or BTRFS.

    4b - Manually Setup the Installation using Standard Partition.JPG

    Since previously the remaining space are left as unused free space, we can afford to click on "+" below (Where the mouse is) in order to add the few main partitions.

    4c - Overview page.JPG

    /Boot is created first with 500MB

    4d - Boot partition.JPG

    Followed by /Boot/EFI with 200MB

    4e - Boot EFI partition.JPG

  • by samuel_1991,

    samuel_1991 samuel_1991 Sep 1, 2014 9:32 AM in response to samuel_1991
    Level 1 (5 points)
    Sep 1, 2014 9:32 AM in response to samuel_1991

    Then the main root, known as / partition with 100GB (I feel I only need 100GB in Linux. You may change as required.)

    4f - Data partition.JPG

    Swap partition

    4g - Swap.JPG

    It should be like this before installation of Linux. Click on "Finished" on top left button when it is confirmed to be correct. Do NOT create a /Home directory as Linux's ext2/ext3/ext4 systems are NOT natively supported without the use of plugins.

    4h - It should be similar to this before proceed further.JPG

    Click on "Accept Changes"

    4i - Accept Changes.JPG

     

    Click on "Begin Installation"

     

    4j - System is ready to be installed.JPG

     

    Setup user accounts and root as required.

     

    4k - Setup Root and other user accounts as required during installation.JPG

     

     

    Note 1: It is known that should the Mac goes sleep, the installation would "fail".

     

    You might not be able to boot Linux after "successful" installtion should the Mac goes asleep. The Solution is -> Reinstall Linux (Without Internet Recovery, just remove all the Linux related partitions will do)

     

    Note 2: After installation, if the system does not reboot after 3 mins, you may require a force reboot.

  • by samuel_1991,

    samuel_1991 samuel_1991 Sep 1, 2014 11:42 AM in response to samuel_1991
    Level 1 (5 points)
    Sep 1, 2014 11:42 AM in response to samuel_1991

    5. After Linux installation, reboot the system into newly installed Linux. This is to give some of the remaining space for Data partition (Format as exFAT). Remember to leave some space for Windows installation. You may eject Linux Live DVD.

     

    5 - Reboot into newly installed Fedora.JPG

     

     

    For me, I give 250GB of Data partition and 450GB for Windows. Do NOT create any partition for Windows.

     

    6. For simplicity reason, you can install GParted to CREATE a raw paritition WITHOUT formatting. This is because GParted do NOT support formatting as exFAT while Windows do not allow converting a FAT32 to exFAT via Disk Management.

     

    6 - Install GParted for creating Data partition.JPG

    6a - Create New Data Partition WITHOUT Formatting.jpg

    6b - It should be like this.JPG

     

     

     

    Note 1: By deleting the partition later in Windows Disk Management, you can say goodbye to booting both OSX and Linux and say Hi to Internet Recovery. (Unless you are very sure how to recreate the hybrid MBR via gdiskin Linux DVD)

     

    7. Eject Linux Live DVD. Insert Windows 8 installation DVD (With the Boot Camp Support Files in the thumb drive too!) and boot into EFI mode.

     

    7 - Boot into Windows EFI Mode DVD.JPG

     

    8. Choose Custom Mode and select the last un-allocated partition. Click "Next" to install Windows 8.

     

    Click on "Custom Install" (Yes, the screen is really not good for eyes for now)


    7a - Choose Custom Install.JPG


     

    Choose the last un-allocated disk partition:

     

     

     

    7b - Select the last and only unallocated partition.JPG

     

     

    Note: Recommend to disconnect from Internet if you do NOT wish to setup Microsoft account yet.





  • by samuel_1991,

    samuel_1991 samuel_1991 Sep 1, 2014 11:31 AM in response to samuel_1991
    Level 1 (5 points)
    Sep 1, 2014 11:31 AM in response to samuel_1991

    9. Install the Windows Support software from your CD/USB drive to gain full functionality of your computer. Reboot and go to Windows again.

     

    8 - Install Boot Camp drivers.JPG

     

     

    Note 1: You may choose to eject disc at this point of time. For Apple SuperDrive users, you will need to wait until the drivers (i.e. Boot Camp support files) is installed and rebooted before ejecting is reasonably possible (As I failed to figured out how to right click without the drivers)

     

    Note 2: Unlike Windows 7 on KBase article TS4599 Keyboard/trackpad inoperative, black screen, or alert messages when installing Windows 7, USB stick can be plugged in after the Windows installation is done. This is because Windows 7 (And probably Windows 7 with SP1 DVD) does not have a built in USB 3 drivers when it was released back in 2009 where USB3 has not arrived then.

     

    Note 3: Due to TPM, Bitlocker is not supported without the use of thumbdrives.

     

    8a - Bitlocker not able to turn on due to TPM.JPG

     

    10. Using Disk Management to determine the given drive letter for the DATA partition (DO NOT DELETE and RECREATE partition or else you can goodbye to booting Linux and OSX). Disk Management will not allow you to format it as exFAT / FAT32 in graphical way.

     

    9 - Prepare to format DATA partition by determine the assigned drive letter.JPG

     

    Note: You may remove or modify some of the disk letters in Disk Management. However, do NOT remove / modfify the drive letter for the partition with 200MB size in HFS. This is because it will disallow booting of Linux and neither could Windows nor OSX can do anything EXCEPT to reinstall Linux only.

     

    11. Open Command Prompt in Administrator Mode (Important!!), and key in the following command:

     

    format F: /FS:exFAT

     

    Give this volume a label after it has successfully formatted before hitting "Enter" again.

     

    Note: Mine Data partition was assigned as F drive. Please make necessary adjustment to "F:" should your Data partition is assigned to other letters.

     

    9a - Use Command Prompt to format as exFAT.JPG

     

    12. After that, Setup your Data partition structure as you like.

     

    Tip: Minimally create the important folders such as:

     

    - Music

     

    - Documents

     

    - Movie (Videos)

     

    - Downloads

     

    - Pictures

     

    All these folders are commonly used by the 3 OSes. I do NOT recommend changing of /home (OSX and / or Linux) and / or user home directory (Windows) either partially or as a whole.

     

    This is because of compatibility issue.

     

    On a side note, iTunes Media Library used in OSX and Windows are NOT able to be use interchangably due to hard-coded path used.

     

    13. Useful troubleshooting in Fedora / Linux:

     

    With references to these:

     

    http://chaidarun.com/fedora-mbp

     

    http://anderson.the-silvas.com/2014/02/14/fedora-20-on-a-macbook-pro-13-late-201 3-retina-display/

     

    http://unencumberedbyfacts.com/2013/08/16/linux-on-a-macbook-pro-101/

     

    I would like to highlight a few important points:

     

    1) Wi-Fi driver:

     

    http://rpmfusion.org/Configuration

     

    Note 1: The sound driver should be installed at Out of Box Experience. However, the Wi-Fi is not.

     

    Note 2: Install both free and non-free repository. By the way, some other software like VLC can only be found after the Free Repository is installed.

     

    Search for "akmod-wl" in Gnome-Package-Installer in order to install Wi-Fi drivers

     

    Note 3: For those who do not have Ethernet adapters and their Mac does NOT have a built-in Ethernet port, it is recommended to get one. This is because Fedora 20 does not have a good support for iPhone USB tethering. Unsure for Andriod / Blackberry / Windows Phone users.

     

    2) Grub Menu:

     

    It will show several options to boot into OSX, even of the capability to boot into x86 or x64 mode. However, neither of them is bootable except Linux and the rescue.

     

    10 - Fedora will display few booting choices but only Linux and the recovery works.JPG

     

    Hence, it is recommended to remove the items by hand in this file:

     

    /boot/efi/EFI/fedora/grub.cfg

     

    Command to be used:

     

    "sudo gedit /boot/efi/EFI/fedora/grub.cfg"

     

    Parts to be removed:

     

    - For any extra kernels, delete the target entry by locating the line "menuentry" under "/etc/grub.d/10_linux" sector to one line above the next "menuentry".

     

    It is recommended to keep one main kernel, and one recovery at the minimal.

     

    10b - Remove all the lines from target menuentry to one line above the next menuentry.JPG

     

    - For other OS, delete all the entry (Since neither it can works) under "/etc/grub.d/30_os-prober" sector without removing the lines starts with ###.

     

    10a - Remove all the lines between 30_os-prober.JPG

     

    Auto Mount exFAT partition:

     

    - After installing extra packages for exFAT support (Since it is not supported by Fedora 20 from a default installation), you may wish to edit "/etc/fstab" in order to mount the exFAT partition during boot time.

     

    Command to be used:

     

    "sudo gedit /etc/fstab"

     

    Add the following line in gedit:

     

    UUID=702D-912D /run/media/Samuel/DATA                   exfat    defaults        1 2

     

    Note 1: For DATA partition, OSX & Boot Camp partition, Fedora defaults mounts under: "/run/medua/<Username with case sensitive>/<Partition Label Name>"

     

    Note 2: UUID is unique ID. You can find out the UUID by:

     

    Step 1: First determine the DATA partition number:

     

    "sudo gdisk /dev/sda"

     

    Step 2: Determine the UUID of this partition number:

     

    "sudo blkid /dev/sda8"

     

    Reference 1: http://manpages.courier-mta.org/htmlman5/fstab.5.html

     

    Reference 2: http://liquidat.wordpress.com/2007/10/15/short-tip-get-uuid-of-hard-disks/

     

    3) Overheating CPU

     

    Solution is to issue the following command in Linux terminal: su -c "echo -n 1 > /sys/devices/system/cpu/intel_pstate/no_turbo"

     

    4) System resumes immediately after suspend

     

    Solution is to issue the following command in Linux terminal: su -c "echo XHC1 > /proc/acpi/wakeup"

     

    5) What does not works well out of box:

     

    - Both GNOME and KDE's fonts are too small to be readable for out of box experience. Additional configuration is a need. (Some of the info can be found on "More Tips" later)

     

    - Thunderbolt hotplugging is NOT supported under Windows and Linux so far. Neither FaceTime HD camera works as well.

     

    - The red light in Headphone jack is always on. I do not have luck in switching off the light without losing the sound.

     

    Note 1: It is determined that the module "snd_hda_intel" is used by both cards (HDMI and normal output)

     

    Note 2: It is also known that blacklisting it can switch off the redlight at the price of muting the system.

     

    Note: Based on this article, http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1574

     

    A Mac (Except Mac Pro) needs servicing when there is a red light while the system fails to detect internal speakers. However, this article does NOT applies to this issue.

     

    5A) More Tips:

     

    Install gnome-tweak-tool for more customization

     

    Search for: "gnome-package" to install:

     

    Install Gnome Package Installer for advanced package repository

     

    Install Gnome Package Updater for advanced updates to be install (Whereby Fedora's App Store alike might not show the relevant updates)

     

    14. Verify if disk is still GPT:

     

    Use Gdisk to determine if the disk is pure GPT:

     

    http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1742682

     

    Command: sudo gdisk -l /dev/sda (The entire hard drive)

     

    You should see the MBR is "Protective" instead of anything else.

     

    15. Congrats, the system is ready for triple boot. (I forgot to eject my Windows DVD when the photo was taken)

     

    12 - End &amp; Congrats.JPG

     

    Note 1: You cannot set the default startup disk in Linux due to the lack of Boot Camp Control Panel in Linux.

     

    Neither is changing startup disk recommended in Windows due to the inability to display correctly.

     

    For me, I click "Cancel" whenever I am on this tab (Feel free to make other Boot Camp adjustments in other tabs).

     

    Only OSX I know that can show the startup disk options correctly.

     

     

    11 - OSX Startup Disk Options OK.JPG

     

     

    11a - Windows Boot Camp Control Panel does not show Startup Options correctly.JPG

     

    Note 2: For some reason, OSX likes to auto mount the EFI partition everytime it boots up. It is not known to have any issue for ejecting other disks or mounting disks via Disk Utility.

     

    Note 3: It is not determined if any Firmware or System upgrades will cause issues. It is only known that all 3 OS's regular updates should not be an issue.

     

    System Updates excludes Mac OSX 10.9.3 updates to OSX 10.9.4 type as I had done it on a OSX 10.9.4 Mac or Windows 8.1 to Windows 8.1 Update 1 since my Windows DVD comes with Update 1.

     

    System Upgrades refers to OSX Mavericks to Yosemite, Fedora 20 to Fedora 21, Windows 8.1 Update 1 to Windows 8.2 / Windows 9 for that matter.

     

    Note 4: Reset SMC and / or PRAM will NOT affect your ability to boot any of the OS (OSX, Recovery HD, Fedora & Windows 8)

  • by samuel_1991,

    samuel_1991 samuel_1991 Sep 1, 2014 11:44 AM in response to samuel_1991
    Level 1 (5 points)
    Sep 1, 2014 11:44 AM in response to samuel_1991

    16. For those who wants to customize their DATA partition's main folders to be using native system icons as well as creating shortcuts on the native system's main documents that points to the DATA partition, actually it can be easily changed.

     

    In Windows, the procedure is quite straight forward.

     

    There is a direct option in right click to create a shortcut.

     

    In properties menu, there is a section that can change icon.

     

    However, the default folder icons resides in:

     

    %WINDIR%\system32\imageres.dll

     

    Reference: http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/90705-personal-user-shell-folders.html

     

    In Linux, you will need to use Terminal command as the feature of creating an alias is not supported when mounting to an exFAT system.

     

    Reference: http://apple.stackexchange.com/questions/51709/can-i-create-a-desktop-shortcut-a lias-to-a-folder-from-the-terminal

     

    Do note that you will need to add a prefix of "/run/media/<Your username>/" before the volume name before it can work.

     

    So for me, as my username is "Samuel" and there all my main folders (Documents, Downloads, Videos, Pictures, Music) are under /DATA/Samuel, thus the link in the "Documents" folder to be created would be:

     

    cd ~/Documents

    ln -s /run/media/Samuel/DATA/Samuel/Documents Documents

     

    The Linux's default folder icons could be found at: /usr/share/icons/gnome/48x48/places. It can be changed via right click -> Properties as well.

     

    13 - Change Icon Pic in Linux.JPG

     

    In OSX, you need to:

     

    1 - Change icons in Data partition:

     

    Reference: http://support.apple.com/kb/PH13922

     

    2 - Create an Alias:

     

    Reference: http://support.apple.com/kb/PH13755

     

    3 - Due to a bug in Mavericks, this is the workaround by using compressed file:

     

    Reference: http://macosx.com/forums/mac-os-x-system-mac-software/322475-sigh-now-what-chang ing-alias-file-icons-get-info-mavericks.html

  • by samuel_1991,

    samuel_1991 samuel_1991 Sep 1, 2014 12:00 PM in response to samuel_1991
    Level 1 (5 points)
    Sep 1, 2014 12:00 PM in response to samuel_1991

    For the unfortunate part that did not make it on time to edit the images:

     

    9. Install the Windows Support software from your CD/USB drive to gain full functionality of your computer. Reboot and go to Windows again.

     

    8 - Install Boot Camp drivers.JPG

     

     

    Note 1: You may choose to eject disc at this point of time. For Apple SuperDrive users, you will need to wait until the drivers (i.e. Boot Camp support files) is installed and rebooted before ejecting is reasonably possible (As I failed to figured out how to right click without the drivers)

     

    Note 2: Unlike Windows 7 on KBase article TS4599 Keyboard/trackpad inoperative, black screen, or alert messages when installing Windows 7, USB stick can be plugged in after the Windows installation is done. This is because Windows 7 (And probably Windows 7 with SP1 DVD) does not have a built in USB 3 drivers when it was released back in 2009 where USB3 has not arrived then.

     

    Note 3: Due to TPM, Bitlocker is not supported without the use of thumbdrives.

     

    8a - Bitlocker not able to turn on due to TPM.JPG

     

    10. Using Disk Management to determine the given drive letter for the DATA partition (DO NOT DELETE and RECREATE partition or else you can goodbye to booting Linux and OSX). Disk Management will not allow you to format it as exFAT / FAT32 in graphical way.

     

    9 - Prepare to format DATA partition by determine the assigned drive letter.JPG

     

    Note: You may remove or modify some of the disk letters in Disk Management. However, do NOT remove / modfify the drive letter for the partition with 200MB size in HFS. This is because it will disallow booting of Linux and neither could Windows nor OSX can do anything EXCEPT to reinstall Linux only.

     

    11. Open Command Prompt in Administrator Mode (Important!!), and key in the following command:

     

    format F: /FS:exFAT

     

    Give this volume a label after it has successfully formatted before hitting "Enter" again.

     

    Note: Mine Data partition was assigned as F drive. Please make necessary adjustment to "F:" should your Data partition is assigned to other letters.

     

    9a - Use Command Prompt to format as exFAT.JPG

     

    12. After that, Setup your Data partition structure as you like.

     

    Tip: Minimally create the important folders such as:

     

    - Music

     

    - Documents

     

    - Movie (Videos)

     

    - Downloads

     

    - Pictures

     

    All these folders are commonly used by the 3 OSes. I do NOT recommend changing of /home (OSX and / or Linux) and / or user home directory (Windows) either partially or as a whole.

     

    This is because of compatibility issue.

     

    On a side note, iTunes Media Library used in OSX and Windows are NOT able to be use interchangably due to hard-coded path used.

     

    13. Useful troubleshooting in Fedora / Linux:

     

    With references to these:

     

    http://chaidarun.com/fedora-mbp

     

    http://anderson.the-silvas.com/2014/02/14/fedora-20-on-a-macbook-pro-13-late-201 3-retina-display/

     

    http://unencumberedbyfacts.com/2013/08/16/linux-on-a-macbook-pro-101/

     

    I would like to highlight a few important points:

     

    1) Wi-Fi driver:

     

    http://rpmfusion.org/Configuration

     

    Note 1: The sound driver should be installed at Out of Box Experience. However, the Wi-Fi is not.

     

    Note 2: Install both free and non-free repository. By the way, some other software like VLC can only be found after the Free Repository is installed.

     

    Search for "akmod-wl" in Gnome-Package-Installer in order to install Wi-Fi drivers

     

    Note 3: For those who do not have Ethernet adapters and their Mac does NOT have a built-in Ethernet port, it is recommended to get one. This is because Fedora 20 does not have a good support for iPhone USB tethering. Unsure for Andriod / Blackberry / Windows Phone users.

     

    2) Grub Menu:

     

    It will show several options to boot into OSX, even of the capability to boot into x86 or x64 mode. However, neither of them is bootable except Linux and the rescue.

     

    10 - Fedora will display few booting choices but only Linux and the recovery works.JPG

     

    Hence, it is recommended to remove the items by hand in this file:

     

    /boot/efi/EFI/fedora/grub.cfg

     

    Command to be used:

     

    "sudo gedit /boot/efi/EFI/fedora/grub.cfg"

     

    Parts to be removed:

     

    - For any extra kernels, delete the target entry by locating the line "menuentry" under "/etc/grub.d/10_linux" sector to one line above the next "menuentry".

     

    It is recommended to keep one main kernel, and one recovery at the minimal.

     

    10b - Remove all the lines from target menuentry to one line above the next menuentry.JPG

     

    - For other OS, delete all the entry (Since neither it can works) under "/etc/grub.d/30_os-prober" sector without removing the lines starts with ###.

     

    10a - Remove all the lines between 30_os-prober.JPG

     

    Auto Mount exFAT partition:

     

    - After installing extra packages for exFAT support (Since it is not supported by Fedora 20 from a default installation), you may wish to edit "/etc/fstab" in order to mount the exFAT partition during boot time.

     

    Command to be used:

     

    "sudo gedit /etc/fstab"

     

    Add the following line in gedit:

     

    UUID=702D-912D /run/media/Samuel/DATA                   exfat    defaults        1 2

     

    Note 1: For DATA partition, OSX & Boot Camp partition, Fedora defaults mounts under: "/run/medua/<Username with case sensitive>/<Partition Label Name>"

     

    Note 2: UUID is unique ID. You can find out the UUID by:

     

    Step 1: First determine the DATA partition number:

     

    "sudo gdisk /dev/sda"

     

    Step 2: Determine the UUID of this partition number:

     

    "sudo blkid /dev/sda8"

     

    Reference 1: http://manpages.courier-mta.org/htmlman5/fstab.5.html

     

    Reference 2: http://liquidat.wordpress.com/2007/10/15/short-tip-get-uuid-of-hard-disks/

     

    3) Overheating CPU

     

    Solution is to issue the following command in Linux terminal: su -c "echo -n 1 > /sys/devices/system/cpu/intel_pstate/no_turbo"

     

    4) System resumes immediately after suspend

     

    Solution is to issue the following command in Linux terminal: su -c "echo XHC1 > /proc/acpi/wakeup"

     

    5) What does not works well out of box:

     

    - Both GNOME and KDE's fonts are too small to be readable for out of box experience. Additional configuration is a need. (Some of the info can be found on "More Tips" later)

     

    - Thunderbolt hotplugging is NOT supported under Windows and Linux so far. Neither FaceTime HD camera works as well.

     

    - The red light in Headphone jack is always on. I do not have luck in switching off the light without losing the sound.

     

    Note 1: It is determined that the module "snd_hda_intel" is used by both cards (HDMI and normal output)

     

    Note 2: It is also known that blacklisting it can switch off the redlight at the price of muting the system.

     

    Note: Based on this article, http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1574

     

    A Mac (Except Mac Pro) needs servicing when there is a red light while the system fails to detect internal speakers. However, this article does NOT applies to this issue.

     

    5A) More Tips:

     

    Install gnome-tweak-tool for more customization

     

    Search for: "gnome-package" to install:

     

    Install Gnome Package Installer for advanced package repository

     

    Install Gnome Package Updater for advanced updates to be install (Whereby Fedora's App Store alike might not show the relevant updates)

     

    14. Verify if disk is still GPT:

     

    Use Gdisk to determine if the disk is pure GPT:

     

    http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1742682

     

    Command: sudo gdisk -l /dev/sda (The entire hard drive)

     

    You should see the MBR is "Protective" instead of anything else.

     

    15. Congrats, the system is ready for triple boot. (I forgot to eject my Windows DVD when the photo was taken)

     

    12 - End &amp; Congrats.JPG

     

    Note 1: You cannot set the default startup disk in Linux due to the lack of Boot Camp Control Panel in Linux.

     

    Neither is changing startup disk recommended in Windows due to the inability to display correctly.

     

    For me, I click "Cancel" whenever I am on this tab (Feel free to make other Boot Camp adjustments in other tabs).

     

    Only OSX I know that can show the startup disk options correctly.

     

     

    11 - OSX Startup Disk Options OK.JPG

     

     

    11a - Windows Boot Camp Control Panel does not show Startup Options correctly.JPG

     

    Note 2: For some reason, OSX likes to auto mount the EFI partition everytime it boots up. It is not known to have any issue for ejecting other disks or mounting disks via Disk Utility.

     

    Note 3: It is not determined if any Firmware or System upgrades will cause issues. It is only known that all 3 OS's regular updates should not be an issue.

     

    System Updates excludes Mac OSX 10.9.3 updates to OSX 10.9.4 type as I had done it on a OSX 10.9.4 Mac or Windows 8.1 to Windows 8.1 Update 1 since my Windows DVD comes with Update 1.

     

    System Upgrades refers to OSX Mavericks to Yosemite, Fedora 20 to Fedora 21, Windows 8.1 Update 1 to Windows 8.2 / Windows 9 for that matter.

     

    Note 4: Reset SMC and / or PRAM will NOT affect your ability to boot any of the OS (OSX, Recovery HD, Fedora & Windows 8)

     

     

    Yup, that is it!

  • by mihai_lpr,

    mihai_lpr mihai_lpr Nov 18, 2014 1:14 PM in response to samuel_1991
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Nov 18, 2014 1:14 PM in response to samuel_1991

    Can you please explain why you need to create /boot and /boot/efi partitions separately?

    Also you said: "Do NOT create a /Home directory as Linux's ext2/ext3/ext4 systems are NOT natively supported without the use of plugins."

    Why you cannot create a /home partition? How it can not be natively supported, isn't linux the one who should access it? Also to boot osx recovery is it still done with command+r?

    Also what are the benefits of using this option to triple boot comparing to rEFIt/rEFInd?

  • by d3viliz3d,

    d3viliz3d d3viliz3d Mar 20, 2016 7:34 AM in response to samuel_1991
    Level 1 (8 points)
    Mac OS X
    Mar 20, 2016 7:34 AM in response to samuel_1991

    Hi Samuel!

    Thanks for this guide. I'm actually trying to do the same, or similar, booting Mac OSX, Kali 2.0 and Windows 10.

    Windows seems to be the most problematic, but if I read your guide correctly, you're not solving the problem.

    Let me explain: as you said Windows will not allow more than 4 primary partitions on a GPT disk. And in fact when I have more the system is not bootable.

    But you're creating far more than 4, right? Mac EFI, OS X, boot, Linux EFI, root and swap. We're at 6 already. How can you install windows after that? I have 5 now after installing OS X and Kali: Mac EFI, OS X, boot, root and swap. And Windows won't let me start the installation.

    How can I proceed?

     

    Thanks!

  • by Loner T,

    Loner T Loner T Mar 20, 2016 8:46 AM in response to d3viliz3d
    Level 7 (24,002 points)
    Safari
    Mar 20, 2016 8:46 AM in response to d3viliz3d

    You need to use Gdisk and construct a Hybrid MBR, which has 4 entries and at the same time maps more than 4 GPT entries. This method combines multiple GPT entries into a single MBR entry.

  • by d3viliz3d,

    d3viliz3d d3viliz3d Mar 20, 2016 8:49 AM in response to Loner T
    Level 1 (8 points)
    Mac OS X
    Mar 20, 2016 8:49 AM in response to Loner T

    Ummm is there a detailed guide for this? Haven't found anything about this before.

  • by BobTheFisherman,

    BobTheFisherman BobTheFisherman Mar 20, 2016 8:58 AM in response to d3viliz3d
    Level 6 (15,371 points)
    Mar 20, 2016 8:58 AM in response to d3viliz3d

    IMHO, it would be easier and less problematic to spend $200 on a Windows PC then install Linux on that. Or, use a virtual machine to install Linux onto your Boot Camped Mac.

  • by Loner T,

    Loner T Loner T Mar 20, 2016 8:59 AM in response to d3viliz3d
    Level 7 (24,002 points)
    Safari
    Mar 20, 2016 8:59 AM in response to d3viliz3d

    Here is an example of creating a 'stuffed' MBR - Re: [Help] Can't boot to windows (8.1) after resizing partition ?

  • by d3viliz3d,

    d3viliz3d d3viliz3d Mar 20, 2016 9:01 AM in response to BobTheFisherman
    Level 1 (8 points)
    Mac OS X
    Mar 20, 2016 9:01 AM in response to BobTheFisherman

    There's always an easier way, but there's also a reason if one wants to put up a triple boot. Not everything can be done or solved with a virtual machine, sometimes it even adds another level of complexity.

  • by BobTheFisherman,

    BobTheFisherman BobTheFisherman Mar 20, 2016 10:26 AM in response to d3viliz3d
    Level 6 (15,371 points)
    Mar 20, 2016 10:26 AM in response to d3viliz3d

    d3viliz3d wrote:

     

    There's always an easier way, but there's also a reason if one wants to put up a triple boot. Not everything can be done or solved with a virtual machine, sometimes it even adds another level of complexity.

    You are correct. I was offering my humble opinion. In the dozens of times I've had to use different versions of Linux, Windows, and OSX at the same time  I always found it easier to setup and maintain separate installations of Linux on Windows PCs or in a virtual machine on my Boot Camped Macs. This is especially true when I needed these systems up and running quickly without errors. If you are doing this as a hobby or to gain knowledge go for it. If you are doing this in a production environment needing 3 operating systems my advice remains the same.

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