New laptop, Windows 8.1. Ubuntu installer doesn't 'see' existing OS.

robine · 06-10-2014, 11:22 AM

Hi all,

Though I've used Ubuntu for a few years, I'm new to installation. Previously I had help and now I'm doing it alone (moved across the world).

Windows 8.1 came preinstalled on my new laptop (Toshiba Satellite C70-A-17C - Core i5, 8 GB RAM, 750 GB HDD). I have already followed a few steps I found online to prepare for a dual install (with Ubuntu 14.04).

I backed up Windows, created a bootable Ubuntu USB and DVD (just in case one didn't work), turned off fast boot and secure boot, and shrunk C:/. The new unallocated drive portion is 292.97 GB.

After shrinking C:/, I restarted Windows a couple of times to make sure everything was working fine (it is). I then attempted to install with the Ubuntu live USB. However, the Ubuntu installer doesn't see that Windows 8.1 is already installed. I don't understand, and don't want to mess with Ubuntu partitioning when I don't know where the partitions will be created. My concern is that, if I go further with the installation process, Windows might be overwritten or compromised in some way.

I then tried to reboot using the Ubuntu live DVD, thinking I might get a different result. However, I can't figure out how to make the laptop boot from the CD drive. I went into the BIOS and found no option there, either.

Any help is very appreciated!

jefro · 06-10-2014, 04:21 PM

Doesn't see could be encrypted drive, lack of support for storage chipset or other.

If your machine has enough resources I'd suggest that you use a free virtual machine and not go any farther.

It may be that you are trying to use wubi also.

If you insist then I might be tempted to run gparted or other disk manager like fdisk or (forgot new one) to see what it sees.

Ztcoracat · 06-10-2014, 09:15 PM

You should be able to go to the boot priority menu and change the boot order to anything you want.
I'm surprised that your not able to.

Do you have the new click BIOS or Phoenix BIOS?

If your not sure, It should be on the main menu of your BIOS page at the top in the header.

jefro · 06-11-2014, 03:55 PM

Sorry, yes, two issues seem to be present.

One is that install can't see internal media. Two is now the fault of being able (or seemingly able) to boot to an optical disc.

There is an odd deal with new systems that have actually two choices to boot to an optical disc. Since your system has secure boot and uefi you may need to select a uefi DVD choice over a normal dvd boot choice.