Is my system using UEFI?

Codito ergo sum · n00b Joined: 19 Aug 2019 Posts: 14

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 · Posted: Tue Aug 27, 2019 7:17 am Post subject:

Hi,

What is your system? Which brand, model?
_________________
Kind regards,
Xavier Miller

Codito ergo sum · n00b Joined: 19 Aug 2019 Posts: 14

xaviermiller · Posted: Tue Aug 27, 2019 7:28 am Post subject:

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.
_________________
Kind regards,
Xavier Miller

rpruen · Posted: Tue Aug 27, 2019 7:33 am Post subject:

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 · n00b Joined: 19 Aug 2019 Posts: 14

NeddySeagoon · Posted: Tue Aug 27, 2019 8:02 am Post subject:

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.
_________________
Regards,

NeddySeagoon

Computer users fall into two groups:-
those that do backups
those that have never had a hard drive fail.

petr2008 · Posted: Tue Aug 27, 2019 9:56 am Post subject:

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 · Watchman Joined: 02 May 2003 Posts: 7470

NeddySeagoon · Posted: Tue Aug 27, 2019 4:52 pm Post subject:

krinn,

That's getting harder ...
_________________
Regards,

NeddySeagoon

Computer users fall into two groups:-
those that do backups
those that have never had a hard drive fail.