How to fix dual-booting Windows 8 and Ubuntu 14.04 on a Sony Vaio?

Solution 1:

One Sony user posted this:

The trick was to manually copy the ubuntu Boot directory in place of the \EFI\Boot Directory, and rename shimx64.efi to \EFI\Boot\bootx64.efi (not \EFI\Microsoft\Boot\bootmgfw.efi )

Boot-Repairs fix is the rename of bootmgfw.efi, which has to be redone if Windows updates its files. And then can only boot Windows from grub menu.

Some other options:

Alternative to Boot-Repairs rename of shim. Some systems work better to register grub/shim from inside Windows - for those that keep resetting Windows as default

Grub not showing on startup for Windows 8.1 Ubuntu 13.10 Dual boot

bcdedit /set {bootmgr} path \EFI\ubuntu\grubx64.efi

https://coderwall.com/p/vfyqkg

Some install rEFInd which seems to be another workaround.

http://www.rodsbooks.com/refind/index.html

http://www.rodsbooks.com/refind/secureboot.html

Solution 2:

I had the same issue here. To fix, try the steps below:

1. Disable secure boot, fastboot, etc... (you have already done that);
2. When installing Ubuntu, choose manual partitioning and create the partitions as follows:
   1. An ext4 partition for system and home (if you want). Mount point: /
   2. A swap partition. I normally use 50% of available RAM;
   3. A ext2 partition for boot. I think 400mb is enough. Mount point: /boot;
3. Install Ubuntu, but do not restart after the installation finishes.
4. Install gparted: sudo apt-get install gparted
5. Open gparted. Select your disk and then the boot (ext2) partition. Right click on /boot partition, select manage flags and enable bios_grub flag. Apply change and close gparted.
6. Install boot-repair like this link and execute it normally using recommended settings.

If everything is right, boot-repair will find your Windows 8 and will configure grub for you. Now, you can reboot.

Hope it helps.