Introduction

Some situations (eg BIOS limitations, or this GRUB bug) may require to create a separate /boot partition at the start of the disk, and setup Ubuntu to use it.

Here is how to do it very easily:

Procedure

Step 1 - Boot on a liveCD or liveUSB

Boot your computer either on:

- a Linux-Secure-Remix liveCD or liveUSB, then choose "Try Ubuntu", then go directly to Step 3 below.

- or a Ubuntu live-CD or live-USB, choose "Try Ubuntu", then go to Step 2 below.

Step 2 - Install Boot-Repair in the live-session

Once in the Ubuntu live session, install Boot-Repair this way:

  • Connect internet
  • Open a terminal (Ctrl+Alt+T) and type :

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:yannubuntu/boot-repair && sudo apt-get update

sudo apt-get install -y boot-repair

Step 3 - Run gParted

Launch gParted from either:

- the Dash (Ubuntu 11.04 and next): click the Ubuntu logo in the top-left corner of the screen, then type gparted and click on the gParted icon that will appear.

- or System->Administration->gParted menu (Ubuntu 10.04)

- or by typing gksudo gparted in a terminal

Step 4 - Create a 1GB partition at the start of the disk

Via gParted:

- Reduce one of the first partitions of the disk in order to create 1GB (=1000MiB) of free space at the start of the disk where Ubuntu is installed. This free space must be located inside the first 100GB of the disk (its end must not be located at more than 100GB from the start of the disk). Important: to resize Windows Vista/7/8 partitions, don't use gParted but Windows tools instead.

http://pix.toile-libre.org/upload/original/1342471488.png

- In this free space, create a 1GB partition formatted in EXT4.

- On a paper, note the name of this new 1GB partition. This is generally something like /dev/sdXY (X is a letter, Y is a number).

Step 5 - Run Boot-Repair

Launch Boot-Repair from either:

- the Dash (Ubuntu 11.04 and next): click the Ubuntu logo in the top-left corner of the screen, then type boot and click on the Boot-Repair icon that will appear.

- or System->Administration->Boot-Repair menu (Ubuntu 10.04)

- or by typing boot-repair in a terminal

Step 6 - Choose the right option

In Boot-Repair:

- Click on Advanced Options

- Go to the GRUB location tab

- Tick the "Separate /boot partition: sdXY" option (sdXY must be your 1GB partition)

http://pix.toile-libre.org/upload/original/1342472594.png

- Click "Apply"

- Note on a paper the URL (paste.ubuntu.com/XXXXXX/) that will appear.

- Shutdown the computer

- Remove the liveCD and/or liveUSB

- Start the computer. You should now be able to boot into Ubuntu.

Remarks

- if you need help, please create your new own thread here (don't forget to indicate the URL you noted on your paper at Step6, this will give valuable information to understand your problem)

External Links

- Discussion thread on ubuntuforums for any question/comment about this tutorial. (this is not a thread for support)

- HOW to install Ubuntu on a big disk

BootPartition (last edited 2013-06-03 20:17:15 by yannubuntu)