Installing on a Surface Pro (EFI issues)

[p337]

So, I am in the process of installing Kali Linux alongside Windows 8 on a Surface Pro. I have reached the point where I can run the installer, but it wont boot, which makes sense, since grub fails to install (it just boots into Windows). Here's how I get to that step.

I have a 40GB (36.7GB) partition, and I let the installer automatically partition the space as follows:


Size Type

32.5 GB ext4

4.2 GB swap


So far, so good, I go to the next step and I get a warning message that says:


No EFI partition was found

and it gives me the option to go back, so I go back, and resize the partitions like this:


Size Type
32.5 GB ext4
4.0 GB swap
200MB EFIboot

So, now when I hit next, I get no warning about missing an EFI partition, and the OS begins to install. I can't configure a package manager since my wireless card is not supported out of the box, but I think that will be ok. I have the files I need on a thumb drive. However, eventually an error occurs that says:


The 'grub-efi' package failed to install into /target/. Without the GRUB boot loader, the installed system will not boot.

This message is indeed telling the truth, as it just boots into Windows. Does anyone know a good way to get around this? Basically, I need a way to install grub. Why does it fail to install the grub-efi package? Do I need to install that? Or is it possible to use a legacy boot system? I feel like I am a bit over my head here, as I consider myself somewhere between beginner and intermediate, but this EFI stuff is completely foreign to me. Where did I mess up? What should I try? Any help/advice is appreciated.

[bofh28]

EFI system partitions must be the first partition on the hard drive.

Try the instructions at
http://forums.kali.org/showthread.php?271-How-to-EFI-install-Kali-Linux&highlight=uefi

[p337]

I actually have been using that post as my guide (thanks by the way) - I should have mentioned that. It was extremely helpful in actually being able to boot from a Kali USB. It just won't install grub-efi.

Last night I even went as far as to fully remove Windows 8, and formatted the entire disk. When I create an EFI partition, even specifying the beginning of the drive, it creates 1MB free space partition right in front of it (at least, according to the GUI). Is this normal? I'm going to start over fresh when I get home from work today, but I fear that GRUB will continue to fail to install, and I'll be stuck with Windows/Ubuntu until someone smarter than me decides to try this with a Surface Pro. I'll post an update with the results of the fresh start later today.

Update:


Formatted my USB
Used Universal USB installer copy the image to the drive
Downloaded BOOTX64.efi from the link you provided, and created grub.cfg as described
Created EFI/Boot/ on the root of the drive
Copied BOOTX64.efi and grub.cfg to the EFI/Boot/ folder
Booted up the Surface with the USB in (note that it would not boot at this point)


Yesterday I copied grubx64.efi as described in these directions:

http://forums.kali.org/showthread.php?271-How-to-EFI-install-Kali-Linux&p=2566&viewfull=1#post2566

This allowed me to successfully boot from the USB drive yesterday, but I am in the same predicament with grub-efi failing. Note that I have already wiped the drive, so there is no need to worry about Windows any longer if that is a concern.

[Opfor]

You should be able to turn off secure boot following instructions on

http://www.microsoft.com/surface/en-US/support/warranty-service-and-recovery/how-to-use-the-bios-uefi

After that try booting with a new usb install without the efi steps

[bofh28]

You don't need grub-efi to be installed. grub-efi won't be installed to a usb thumb drive. If you are booting from the thumb drive to install to a local hard drive then setup the partition layout as I described and copy the boot folder from the thumb drive to the local hard drive fat32 partition.

[p337]

Thanks for your help. I have decided to return the Surface. It was not worth the headache of trying to get it to work. I am just not experienced enough to do that on my own, I suppose. At least not to be the only one doing it.