Booting Ubuntu Dapper on an Intel Mac Mini

Hi all, I'm trying to install Ubuntu in my Intel Mac Mini. I was told that it's possible to do it after changing the partition table label to a msdos type one. I did, but when I complete the instalation process, my new ubuntu system can't boot, it show me a folder whith a question mark inside.

What can I do? Is it MacOs X necessary to run Linux in a Mac Mini? Thanks in advance.

Hi.

A folder with a question mark in means that you mac isn't set to boot from anywhere. Try holding down alt and selecting your boot location from there.

I hope that helps!

This is my first post!

garlito You have run the ubuntu install and it all seemed OK? You get this problem when trying to reboot for the first time?

The mini usually does display a question mark for a time at first boot. Have you waited a few minutes? After it has worked once the boot time will be quicker, but it always shows a question mark. There is a possibility that your version of grub cannot deal with the a20 gate on the mac. I thought this problem was fixed over a year ago in grub, but it might still be a problem. When I first did this I had to get grub version 0.97 and install it onto the hard disk by booting the live CD and getting grub from a USB stick.

If I can find precise instructions for grub upgrade I will post later.

I got the info on this from http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=233243

There it said use a20-patched grub 0.97-1ubuntu10. We are now on grub 0.97-11ubuntu14.

If you do have the grub problem then boot will start but you get a black screen or a message about grub stage 2 failing. Someone reported getting a black screen at first boot but OK after that. Don't be afraid to re-install ubuntu to get it to work. Keep trying. I install Windows 2000, XP, 2003 frequently at work and that doesn't always install either.

Thanks cbrain and entangled, it works fine now.

The first problem was I forgot to put the flag "boot" to my root partition. The second was about grub and I solved it using the patched version provided by Entity in that howto.

I've got now Ubuntu and Windows XP as I wanted, thanks to all of you :)

Congrats garlito, I hope it all works out for you! :)

I'm glad it works now. I missed the essential word 'Dapper' in the title. The Dapper installer is, I think, pre-patch as far as grub is concerned. I think subsequent grub versions work OK because I have upgraded to Edgy and grub still works without getting a patched version.