If you’re attempting to install Ubuntu on a system with Legacy BIOS and you encounter the error message “No EFI System Partition Found”, it can be a bit bewildering. This error typically arises when the installer is running in UEFI mode, even though your system uses BIOS mode. This discrepancy can cause issues during the installation process. In this article, we will guide you through the steps to resolve this issue.
Understanding the Error
Before we delve into the solutions, it’s important to understand what’s causing the error. The EFI System Partition (ESP) is a partition on a data storage device that is used by computers adhering to the Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI). When a system’s firmware interface is set to BIOS, not UEFI, and the Ubuntu installer is running in UEFI mode, it can cause a mismatch, leading to the “No EFI system partition was found” error.
Checking Your System’s Configuration
Firstly, you need to confirm that your system is running in BIOS mode. To do this, you can boot from the LiveUSB, select “Try Ubuntu,” and run the following terminal commands:
sudo parted -l
ls /sys/firmware/efiThe sudo parted -l command lists the partition tables for all the block devices. The ls /sys/firmware/efi command will list the contents of the /sys/firmware/efi directory if your system is running in UEFI mode. If the directory does not exist, your system is likely running in BIOS mode.
Checking Your Bootable USB Stick
The USB stick used for installation could be another source of the problem. If the USB stick is configured to boot only in UEFI mode, it can cause the error message. You can try creating a bootable USB stick using a different tool, such as Universal USB Installer, which ensures compatibility with both BIOS and UEFI.
Creating an ext4 Partition Manually
If your system is confirmed to be running in UEFI mode, despite being a BIOS system, you might need to manually create an ext4 partition during the installation process. To do this, you can use a tool like gparted. However, there is no guarantee that this will resolve the issue.
Proceeding with the Installation
If none of the above solutions work, you might want to proceed with the installation and address any boot-related issues later. It is possible to fix the boot configuration after the installation if the system fails to boot.
Conclusion
The “No EFI System Partition Found” error during Ubuntu installation on a Legacy BIOS system can be a bit tricky to resolve. However, by checking your system’s configuration, ensuring your bootable USB stick is compatible with both BIOS and UEFI, and possibly creating an ext4 partition manually, you should be able to resolve this issue. If all else fails, you can always proceed with the installation and fix any boot issues later.
Legacy BIOS mode is a system firmware interface that was commonly used before UEFI became popular. It is a basic input/output system that initializes hardware components and loads the operating system.
UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface) mode is a modern system firmware interface that provides enhanced functionality compared to Legacy BIOS. It supports advanced features like secure boot, larger disk capacity, and faster boot times.
Yes, you can install Ubuntu on a system with Legacy BIOS. However, it is important to ensure that the installation process is set to BIOS mode to avoid compatibility issues.
The "No EFI System Partition Found" error occurs when the Ubuntu installer is running in UEFI mode, but your system is configured to use Legacy BIOS mode. This mismatch between the installer and system configuration causes the error.
To check your system’s mode, you can boot from the LiveUSB, select "Try Ubuntu," and run the following terminal commands:
sudo parted -l
ls /sys/firmware/efiIf the ls /sys/firmware/efi command returns a result, it means your system is running in UEFI mode. If the directory does not exist, your system is likely running in BIOS mode.
You can create a bootable USB stick compatible with both BIOS and UEFI by using a tool like Universal USB Installer. This tool ensures compatibility with both firmware interfaces during the installation process.
If none of the solutions work, you can proceed with the installation and address any boot-related issues later. It is possible to fix the boot configuration after the installation if the system fails to boot.
Yes, if your system is running in UEFI mode despite being a BIOS system, you can try manually creating an ext4 partition during the installation process using a tool like gparted. However, there is no guarantee that this will resolve the "No EFI System Partition Found" error.
