0

So I was customizing a Lubuntu 18.04 install for a 2007 MacBook (model identifier MacBook2,1) to get the best performance out of it. It's the best compromise between performance and light in resources OS for these devices. Because that device's fan is dead and it turns off due to overheating, I ordered a new fan and decided to do all the Lubuntu setup on another device, a slightly newer 2009 MacBook (model identifier MacBook4,1), and then put the HDD in the older one.

So I created a bootable USB installer which was immediately recognised by the 2009 MacBook and I was able to install it.

I set everything up I wanted, then put the HDD in the 2007 MacBook, and... it does not show up in the boot menu.
Of course, I thought my install was problematic or just that the HDD swap would not work, so I plugged my USB installer in it... would not show up either!

Both MacBooks work fine and the older one would even boot to a Windows HDD from another device.

I am stuck, and I don't want to have to dual boot from OS X. Also, now that I know my installation is not the problem, I kind of want to get it to boot from that HDD because I did quite a lot of setup on it.

How can I resolve this?

David Anderson
  • 1,017
Spatial Zebra
  • 1

1 Answers1

2

Macs with the model identifiers of MacBook2,1 and MacBook4,1 have 64 bit processors. However, not all Macs with the model identifier of MacBook2,1 have a 64 bit EFI, where as all Macs with the model identifier of MacBook4,1 have a 64 bit EFI. So, if you installed Lubuntu to EFI boot using a Mac with the model identifier of MacBook4,1, then attempting to EFI boot using a Mac with a model identifier of MacBook2,1 and a 32 bit EFI should result in failure.

If your Mac has a 32 bit EFI and you wish to install a 64 bit Linux, then you will need to install Linux to BIOS boot. You should still be able to install Linux to use GPT partitioning. However, the Mac will need to be hybrid partition in order to enable BIOS booting. Installation would probably be easier using a DVD, however using a flash drive may be possible. This would require a Linux installer that can be EFI booted, but install a BIOS booting GRUB. In the past, Debian installers were able to do this and may still be able to do so. Once you have a BIOS booting GRUB, you can use this to BIOS boot other Linux installers and then replace Debian. As you can image, the whole proceedure can get complicated. You can post a comment if you wish to pursue this further.

You might consider trying to install a BIOS booting 64 bit Xubuntu 20.04 LTS, even if this would require an upgrade to 2 GB (which would cost 12 USD).

I added the links below so I would not have to hunt for them in the future.

References

Installing windows on a MacBook Pro 15-Inch "Core 2 Duo" without Mac OS X
Newly installed Debian stuck on loading on MacBook Pro "Core 2 Duo" 2.16
Alternatives to installing Ubuntu from bootable USB and bootable DVD
Booting 64-bit Ubuntu Images on a First-Generation Mac Pro 1,1
Installing Ubuntu without DVD or Flash Drive

David Anderson
  • 1,017