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How do I dual boot Ubuntu Linux & Mac OS X?

A reader who is rather quite technically inclined writes to me saying:

I'm experimenting with installing Ubuntu Linux on my Macintosh, and it's working great except now the default operating system upon boot is Linux, not Mac OS X. How do I fix that??

Dave's Answer: As it turns out, I too am experimenting with Ubuntu and Yellow Dog Linux on my PowerBook (and have had to reinstall Mac OS X three times, so far, but that's another story) so I know just what you're talking about.

For Ubuntu, which is based on Debian Linux, the bootstrap loader - the program that decides which OS you want to boot - the program that controls that first few seconds of your computer startup is called yaboot and it's actually a project that lives at http://penguinppc.org/bootloaders/yaboot/.

To modify yaboot so that the default operating system is actually Mac OS X isn't too hard. There�s a great yaboot reference document online at the yaboot site. It turns out that the change is trivially simple: in the file /etc/yaboot.conf on the Linux side of things, you simply needed to add the line defaultos=macosx.

The second - and critical - step is to actually install the new bootstrap loader configuration file, and that�s done with ybin -v which figures out where the new configuration file should be moved and does it.

And keep your eyes open as you go along: the most amusing line in the entire process is the output statement �Blessing /dev/hda6 with Holy Penguin Pee�. Only in the world of Linux!

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Categorized: Mac OS X Help (Article 3754)
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Comments

i found something interesting dualbooting Ubuntu with a Mac on http://www.ubuntux.org, but I can't recall the exact URL.

but i could solve my problem there.

Posted by: Ubuntu at December 8, 2005 7:36 PM

Hi, Thanks for the articles on dual-booting PPCs. I'm new to the Mac community (but loving it) and am trying to get Fedora Core 4 working on my G4 PowerBook.

When you describe editing /etc/yaboot.conf to add "defaultos=macosx." it sounds easy. My question belies my ignorance: how do you edit /etc/yaboot.conf ? Do you have to use a special program? Do you do it from within the Linux OS or the Mac OS ?

Last question: when you mention the critical step of installing the new bootstrap loader configuration file with "ybin -v" - is that a program? Where do you get it (or is it already installed in either FC4 for Tiger) / where do you run it?

Thanks a bunch, sorry to ask what probably seem like basic/obvious questions!

Posted by: Curran Bishop at January 18, 2006 9:19 AM

Here is a howto from the ubuntu forums on getting the airport extreme card working on Linux. Haven't tried it as I don't own a Mac (possibly looking to get one)

Posted by: Harry Mills at June 19, 2006 6:34 AM

http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=185174

Sorry - there it is...

Posted by: Harry Mills at June 19, 2006 6:35 AM

Hello, I've a problem. I had been trying so hard to install Ubuntu 5.10 on my Powerbook G4, with no luck. Finally I came up with a solution. When I partitioned my HD, I decided to first install Ubuntu insted of Mac OS X. I worked. Finally I could install Ubuntu, it went all perfect. So I only had Ubuntu running on my mac. You'd shut it down and Ubuntu would start. It was almost perfect, so the second thing I did was to reinstall Mac OS X. My problem is the following: When I turn back on my mac, Mac OS X starts. I don't know how to run Ubuntu again, i know it's there, but I just can't run it. How can I access Ubuntu and still be able to access Mac OS X? Can I have my mac ask me what OS I want to work on? Any help would be apreciated

Posted by: Maurits at September 23, 2006 3:15 PM

Hey Maurits,

try this and have a look.

http://refit.sourceforge.net/

cheers !!

Posted by: V at October 4, 2006 12:28 AM

Hello,
I read all the tips and comments on how to run Ubuntu and Mac Os X together on one Macintosh. I have to deal with this problem daily because I am an system administrator for Apple. If you have already successfully installed Ubuntu and you try to boot DO NOT use any programs or do any "complicated programming" to choose between Ubuntu or Mac Os X. Just press the "option" "Alt" key after you hear the startup sound. Keep it pressed and the Mac Os X and Ubuntu logos will appear. Choose with the arrow keys from which OS you want to start and press return.
That's it. Nothing else. Really simple.
Hope this helps.

Posted by: peter at November 1, 2007 5:49 AM

I have a lot to say, but ...

I have a lot to say, and questions of my own for that matter, but most of all I'd like to say thank you for all your efforts on this Web site by buying you a chai!

I do have a comment, now that you mention it!