Lubuntu install on white Macbook

This tutorial aims to install a Lubuntu 17.10 on a Macbook3,1 using live CD via usb-stick. My major problem was running the desktop 32bit ISO which does not fit on a CD. This may also work on an old MacMini1,1

requisites

• VM Host http://virtualbox.org
• Live Lubuntu ISO Image
• USB-Stick >= 2GB

start live CD

1. Download Live CD - I'm using Lubuntu 17.10.
2. Start VirtualBox and create new VM mounting ISO-Image
3. Start Live-CD VM
   • For Lubuntu 17.10 it might be necessary to start with "nomodeset" option Press "F6" Other Options and set "nomodeset"

format usb-stick

In Live-CD open terminal wit ctrl + alt + t

1. sudo gparted
2. Select USB-Drive (e.g. /dev/sda)
3. Menu:Device > Create Partition Table > Dialog:Warning This will ERASE... > Dropdown:gpt > Button:Apply
4. Menu:Partition > New > Filesystem: Dropdown:fat32 ; Partition Name: GRUB2EFI > OK > Menu:Edit > Apply all Operations
5. Exit gparted

prepare grub efi

Still in Live-CD...

1. Download the grub.sh, grub.cfg together with post.sh script in same folder.
2. Make sure that your usb-stick is device /dev/sda and mounted under /media/lubuntu/GRUB2EFI.
   • If this is not the case edit the grub.sh script.
3. Run sh grub.sh from the terminal.
4. If using a different ISO-Image you may need to change grub.cfg in EFI/BOOT folder on the usb-stick.
5. Switch to your Host-OS and copy the iso image to the /iso folder

Your stick should contain these files now.

/media/lubuntu/GRUB2EFI
├── EFI
│   └── BOOT
│       ├── bootx64.efi
│       ├── bootia32.efi
│       └── grub.cfg
├── iso
│   └── lubuntu-17.10.1-desktop-i386.iso
└── post.sh

macbook2 prepare

1. Boot into OSX and open "Disk Utility"
2. Repartition your Harddisk to decrease your OSX Partition. Create a new one for Lubuntu
   • Check here on how to do http://www.peachpit.com/articles/article.aspx?p=1395749
3. Download ReFind https://sourceforge.net/projects/refind/files/0.11.2/refind-bin-0.11.2.zip/download
   • Unzip and run ./refind-install
   • Documentation is at http://www.rodsbooks.com/refind/installing.html#osx
4. Shutdown OSX
5. Insert usb-stick in macbook and boot holding the alt key.
6. Select the "EFI Boot" with USB-Icon (right-most)
7. Boot into Live CD - this may take some time... make credit to USB1

install Lubuntu

1. Click on "Install Lubuntu 17.10"
   • You may check https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Lubuntu/InstallingLubuntu on howto install
   • Do NOT unmount partitions that are in use (it's your usb-stick we need for installation)
2. Run the partiioning using your second partition you peviously created under OSX.
   • Note down the device name lubuntu gets installed. E.g. /dev/sda3
   • Run the installer - it will stop with an error stating that grub can`t be installed
   • Do NOT shutdown the computer.
3. Grub bootloader installation using post.sh script.
   • Check your partitions first with sudo fdisk -l /dev/sda
   • Make sure your Linux filesystem is at /dev/sda3. If this is not the case edit post.sh and change the line linux=${disk}3 accordingly. Use cp /isodevice/post.sh .
   • Run sh /isodevice/post.sh install

postinstall

• Install additional drivers...
  • Broadcom Wifi
  • Intel Microcode
• You may change the default behavior for function keys
  • See details https://help.ubuntu.com/community/AppleKeyboard
  • TLTR

    echo options hid_apple fnmode=2 | sudo tee -a /etc/modprobe.d/hid_apple.conf
    sudo update-initramfs -u -k all

• isight http://bersace03.free.fr/ift/

  sudo apt install isight-firmware-tools
  # mount Macintosh HD from file manager
  sudo ift-extract -a /media/$USER/Macintosh\ HD/System/Library/Extensions/IOUSBFamily.kext/Contents/PlugIns/AppleUSBVideoSupport.kext/Contents/MacOS/AppleUSBVideoSupport

• There is an issue with [drm:drm_atomic_helper_commit_cleanup_done [drm_kms_helper]] ERROR [CRTC:26:pipe A] flip_done timed out in dmesg
  • check https://bbs.archlinux.org/viewtopic.php?pid=1689914#p1689914
  • in /etc/default/grub add

    GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX_DEFAULT="acpi_osi=Linux acpi_backlight=vendor video=SVIDEO-1:d"

    then run update-grub

License

• Content is licensed under CC0.
• Source code is licensed under Unlicense

References

• http://lubuntu.org/
• https://askubuntu.com/questions/395879/how-to-create-uefi-only-bootable-usb-live-media
• https://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=2276498
• https://help.ubuntu.com/community/UEFIBooting#Building_GRUB2_.28U.29EFI
• http://howtoubuntu.org/how-to-repair-restore-reinstall-grub-2-with-a-ubuntu-live-cd
• ReFind