Free tech support / small logo


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!









Subscribe!
Never miss another Q&A article! Click to subscribe: Add to Google Reader Add to My Yahoo! Subscribe in NewsGator RDF XML
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 !!

V

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

Well Im using Ubuntu and I got interested in Dual Booting... Im using a iMac G4 PowerPC and im interested in doing both Mac OSX and Ubuntu. How would I do it? If Ubuntu IS my OS and theres no sign of Mac OSX left on the machine how do I Dual Boot From here?

Posted by: Leroy at January 11, 2009 12:35 PM

Not sure why I just could not boot my Mac OS after I installed Ubuntu 10.04. I don't know what was wrong during the installation. Ubuntu works very well and I like it very much. Unfortunately I still need to use my Mac sometimes. Thanks. Frank

Posted by: Frank at September 25, 2010 7:12 AM

I have something to say, now that you mention it, but ...
Starbucks coffee cup I do have a lot to say, and questions of my own for that matter, but first I'd like to say thank you for all your efforts on this Web site by buying you a cup of coffee!

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











Remember personal info?


Please note that I will never send you any unsolicited email. Ever.

While I'm at it, please note that by submitting a question or comment you're agreeing to my terms of service, which are: you relinquish any subsequent rights of ownership to your material by submitting it on this site.









Recent Entries


Search
I Need Help!
Need Help? Ask Dave Taylor!


© 2002 - 2012 by Dave Taylor. All Rights Reserved.

Note: This web site is for the purpose of disseminating information for educational purposes, free of charge, for the benefit of all visitors. We take great care to provide quality information. However, we do not guarantee, and accept no legal liability whatsoever arising from or connected to, the accuracy, reliability, currency or completeness of any material contained on this web site or on any linked site.

[whiteboard marker tray]
"Ask Dave Taylor®" is a registered trademark of Intuitive Systems, LLC.