Dual-Boot Windows 10 and Ubuntu, GRUB 2 not booting

Question

So, I've spent 2 days now, trying out different ways to install a dual boot and boot into GRUB. I've seen like 5 - 10 pages on how to install Ubuntu when Windows 8 and up is the original one. The latest one I followed is This guide on instructables, which I found the easiest to follow.

I have an Acer Aspire V3-772G which had Windows 8 when I bought it, now I have Windows 10 from the free upgrade. I love the way Linux work, so I want to install Ubuntu, because the one I feel I know best and I know it would fit me, because I'm a coder which love low level stuff.

I've successfully installed Ubuntu 14.04.3, But when I boot the computer I can't manage to get into GRUB, I just get into my Windows 10. I have UEFI, and I can't disable Secure Boot.

I've tried moving Windows Boot Manager to the bottom, I thought it would help but it didn't. I've also disabled Fast Boot, still not working. The only way I can get into Ubuntu is by Pressing F12 multiple times when booting, to get into the BIOS boot selection menu, choose the Ubuntu drive and get into grub that way.

What I want though is a way to boot directly into grub, and choose windows or ubuntu that way. I've also tried this command:

bcdedit /set {bootmgr} path \EFI\ubuntu\grubx64.efi

which I saw on this thread. Still didn't work. I did make sure to install a 64-bit Ubuntu because I do have a 64-bit laptop. And I also followed the (I may have said the name wrong) "how to get a UEFI bootable USB" (I use an USB because I have no CD/DVD available). So, I don't wanna give up, I would be very happy if I could get this working.

Solution

First, you probably can disable Secure Boot; you just haven't figured out how. For systems that shipped with Windows 8, Microsoft required that users be able to disable Secure Boot, so if it really can't be done, Acer is in violation of their contract with Microsoft. That said, the option could be completely hidden or named in a confusing way. That said, disabling Secure Boot should not be necessary -- it does work for you, or you wouldn't have been able to boot the installer. There is one exception, though....

In the bcdedit command you said you used, specifying grubx64.efi bypasses Shim, which is what Ubuntu uses to deal with Secure Boot. Thus, that particular command will work only if Secure Boot is disabled. The equivalent that should work with Secure Boot active is:

bcdedit /set {bootmgr} path \EFI\ubuntu\shimx64.efi

You can also try using EasyUEFI in Windows. This is a third-party GUI tool for managing EFI boot manager entries. Try moving the working ubuntu entry to the top of the priority list.

If that doesn't work, then chances are your firmware is defective. I'd say to return the computer to the store for a refund, but if you've had it for beyond the return period, you may be out of luck on that score. There is an ugly hack of a workaround, as described here (among other places). At a minimum, if you need to resort to this "solution," you should write to the manufacturer. If possible, return the computer for a refund because it's defective.

Comments

[Dennis Rönn]

I have no idea why I didn't try this first, I tried now, and yeah, it worked. Thanks alot.