Is my system using UEFI?

Message

Codito ergo sum · Post by **Codito ergo sum** » Tue Aug 27, 2019 7:12 am

I'm installing Gentoo Linux & I don't know if my system uses UEFI or BIOS. `ls /sys/firmware' on live cd shows no UEFI file/directory(even after mounting my boot partition) so I conclude that it's not using UEFI but on the other hand, while partitioning, after running `set 2 boot' on esp flag appears under my boot section in parted. So I'm confused which way should I go BIOS or UEFI?

xaviermiller · Post by **xaviermiller** » Tue Aug 27, 2019 7:17 am

Hi,

What is your system? Which brand, model?

Codito ergo sum · Post by **Codito ergo sum** » Tue Aug 27, 2019 7:21 am

xaviermiller wrote:Hi,

What is your system? Which brand, model?

HP-15-BS151NIA-3XY28EA

xaviermiller · Post by **xaviermiller** » Tue Aug 27, 2019 7:28 am

Actual computers are supporting UEFI. Did you boot on Legacy or UEFI mode ?

If you boot on BIOS/Legacy mode, the UEFI will not be accessible.

rpruen · Post by **rpruen** » Tue Aug 27, 2019 7:33 am

Sounds like you are using legacy boot. What does your BIOS have to say about the matter? Generally there will be some info regarding UEFI operating systems, boot order etc.

You would have a FAT32 partition usually labled 'EFI System Partition' on the disk, if using UEFI.

Regards

Richard

Codito ergo sum · Post by **Codito ergo sum** » Tue Aug 27, 2019 7:40 am

xaviermiller wrote:Actual computers are supporting UEFI. Did you boot on Legacy or UEFI mode ?

If you boot on BIOS/Legacy mode, the UEFI will not be accessible.

sorry I don't know in which mode I've booted. All I know is that esp is written under the table in parted in my boot partition. Besides the output of `dmesg' shows some info about efi like:

efi: EFI v2.40 by INSIDE Corp.

Post by **NeddySeagoon** » Tue Aug 27, 2019 8:02 am

Codito ergo sum,

You have efi from your dmesg.
Most EFI capable systems cam boot in legacy mode or EFI mode.

The newer Gentoo live cd supports both. With a 500GB HDD it wont matter which you use.
Mixing BIOS booting and GPT partition tables can be difficult.

Either use BIOS and a MSDOS partition table or UEFI and a GPT partition table.
To install in UEFI mode, you must use a UEFI capable boot media.

petr2008 · Post by **petr2008** » Tue Aug 27, 2019 9:56 am

I am struggling with similar problem on dell notebook.
It boots without uefi only from external usb disk.
Without firmware, hardware does not work properly.
My conclusion is, that on new hardware uefi is necessary.

krinn · Post by **krinn** » Tue Aug 27, 2019 4:12 pm

NeddySeagoon wrote:Either use BIOS and a MSDOS partition table or UEFI and a GPT partition table.

Or BIOS and GPT

Post by **NeddySeagoon** » Tue Aug 27, 2019 4:52 pm

krinn,

That's getting harder ...