[Bug 1082418] Re: Ubuntu UEFI install locks out UEFI firmware (~bios) access

[Satish]

Some more info in the hope it helps the developers to make sense of this
issue:-

I managed to restore the "Boot via CD/DVD" option by shorting the said
CL1 and CL2 pins. However this did not restore my BIOS/UEFI firmware
access. I was just able to use the 'Boot via CD/DVD' and 'Boot via USB
HDD' options. Using the former, I installed Linux Mint 14. Deleted the
EFI system partition and installed grub-pc to handle the boot loading
process.

Later used the manufacturer's BIOS Flash via FreeDOS to flash my
firmware and get back firmware access.

Windows 8.1 preview arrived and I wanted to check it out so went ahead
and grabbed the ISO. Since Windows doesn't allow BIOS mode installation
on a GPT disk, I had to go for a UEFI mode installation. This went as
expected and removed the grub loader. However the firmware access was
still there. Installing UEFI Windows just added a 'Windows Boot loader'
in the firmware's boot menu and put it on top. I was still able to
choose boot via CD or USB.

Put in the Ubuntu Live CD and booted through that to restore access to
Ubuntu/Mint. Installed Boot-Repair and used the 'Recommended Repair'
approach. Now since there is a EFI System Partition (Windows created
this) and UEFI mode OSes (Windows 8.1 and Ubuntu), I guess, Boot-Repair
figured out that grub-efi needs to be installed. Followed instructions
shown by Boot-Repair and the summary is present here -
http://paste.ubuntu.com/5873309/

I was asked to disable 'Secure Boot' from my firmware on restart but as
earlier, I lost firmware access again. I guess, grub-efi failed
somewhere and I was being taken directly to the grub menu with no way to
enter my firmware and switch off Secure Boot.

Since I have a working Windows, I booted into it via grub and flashed my
BIOS again to get back firmware access.

I stumbled upon the utility - rEFInd Boot Manager by Roderick W. Smith
here - http://www.rodsbooks.com/refind/ and using the instructions for
Windows (http://www.rodsbooks.com/refind/installing.html#windows), I
installed it and now have a working system with access to all OSes
(Windows 8.1, Ubuntu and Mint) along with my BIOS/UEFI firmware access
as well (restored via flashing).

When my Windows 8.1 preview expires, I will have some work to do
probably but I'll cross that bridge when I come to it.

To Developers:- Just holler if you need me to run any tests or provide
more info.

-- 
You received this bug notification because you are a member of Ubuntu
Foundations Bugs, which is subscribed to grub2 in Ubuntu.
https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/1082418

Title:
  Ubuntu UEFI install locks out UEFI firmware (~bios) access

Status in “grub2” package in Ubuntu:
  Confirmed

Bug description:
  lsb_release -rd
  Description:	Ubuntu 12.10
  Release:	12.10

  apt-cache policy grub-efi-amd64
  grub-efi-amd64:
    Installed: 2.00-7ubuntu11
    Candidate: 2.00-7ubuntu11

  
  Pheonix Secure Core Tiano bios version 1.09

  New laptop Fujitsu Lifebook AH532. Windows 7 preinstalled. All
  functions worked normally when running Win7. Ubuntu 12.10 installed
  using whole disk. Installation successful Ubuntu boots and runs
  normally, however all access to the bios has now been lost. Pressing
  the default key (f2) during boot up is acknowledged by bios beep, but
  ignored and Ubuntu continues booting. In addition the 'boot choices'
  menu (f12) contains nothing but Ubuntu making it impossible to boot
  from USB or CD/DVD.

  The latter (f12) problem was overcome by opening up the machine,
  removing the ram and shorting the cl1/cl2 posts with a screwdriver.
  This restores the ability to boot from USB/CD by pressing f12 but does
  not restore bios access.

  The following recovery actions have been tried.
  1) Install Boot-Repair, run repair, no change occurred. Boot repair report here:
  http://paste.ubuntu.com/1375041/

  2) Restore Windows from Clonezilla disk image (factory settings) -
  result - bios access is no longer possible from windows either, f2 now
  launches the Windows boot menu.

  3) Update all drivers using Fujitsu driver update tool from within
  windows (which included a bios update). Result - no change, no bios.

  4) Restored Ubuntu from Clonezilla disk image - no change.

  5) Added second distro to disk. Installed successfully (uefi mode as
  that is all I have) no change to bios access.

  So overall result I have lost all bios access even from a reinstalled
  Windows. I repeat that bios access was perfectly normal before
  installing Ubuntu.

  I strongly suggest you read the contents of this thread in addition to
  the information here:

  http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=2086602

  ProblemType: Bug
  DistroRelease: Ubuntu 12.10
  Package: grub-efi 2.00-7ubuntu11
  ProcVersionSignature: Ubuntu 3.5.0-18.29-generic 3.5.7
  Uname: Linux 3.5.0-18-generic x86_64
  ApportVersion: 2.6.1-0ubuntu6
  Architecture: amd64
  Date: Fri Nov 23 15:50:07 2012
  InstallationDate: Installed on 2012-11-22 (1 days ago)
  InstallationMedia: Ubuntu 12.10 "Quantal Quetzal" - Release amd64 (20121017.5)
  MarkForUpload: True
  SourcePackage: grub2
  UpgradeStatus: No upgrade log present (probably fresh install)

To manage notifications about this bug go to:
https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/grub2/+bug/1082418/+subscriptions