LinuxQuestions.org
Welcome to the most active Linux Forum on the web.
Home Forums Tutorials Articles Register
Go Back   LinuxQuestions.org > Forums > Linux Forums > Linux - Laptop and Netbook
User Name
Password
Linux - Laptop and Netbook Having a problem installing or configuring Linux on your laptop? Need help running Linux on your netbook? This forum is for you. This forum is for any topics relating to Linux and either traditional laptops or netbooks (such as the Asus EEE PC, Everex CloudBook or MSI Wind).

Notices


Reply
  Search this Thread
Old 01-03-2023, 01:01 PM   #1
punchy71
Member
 
Registered: Dec 2011
Posts: 172

Rep: Reputation: Disabled
How do I install Linux onto an old MacBook Pro?


Hi,

I have an old MacBook Pro model A1425 laptop that I'm wanting to install Trisquel Linux onto. I've got an external DVD burner with the .iso image DVD on it plugged into the laptop through the USB port on the Mac. I've tried to boot into the UEFI (BIOS in the Windows machine world) to see if I could launch into it and boot off the DVD but it would not do that. Instead it just keeps starting up Windows which is installed on this particular laptop. I've done this many times on Windows machines but this is the first time I've tried to install Linux onto a Mac. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you
 
Old 01-03-2023, 01:14 PM   #2
Turbocapitalist
LQ Guru
 
Registered: Apr 2005
Distribution: Linux Mint, Devuan, OpenBSD
Posts: 7,356
Blog Entries: 3

Rep: Reputation: 3767Reputation: 3767Reputation: 3767Reputation: 3767Reputation: 3767Reputation: 3767Reputation: 3767Reputation: 3767Reputation: 3767Reputation: 3767Reputation: 3767
That's nice hardware even if it no longer on the market. It uses a far more advanced processor than what you can get in the stores these days. Since Trisquel is available only on that dusty, old x86 architecture its ISO images won't be able to boot on a more modern architecture like you have on the (now discontinued) MacBook Pro. Because it uses the PowerPC architecture you'll need a PPC aka PowerPC based distro or operating system. You can take a look at Debian, and modify that to remove as many of the nasty bits as possible, or else try OpenBSD. Either way, you will have to do a lot of tweaking of the appearance of the resulting desktop environment but you can take inspiration from any distro you wish.

See also: https://www.powerpc-notebook.org/en/

Edit: I misread the model name. The A1425 does use that dusty, old x86 architecture. You'll need rEFInd as mentioned below.

Last edited by Turbocapitalist; 01-03-2023 at 01:33 PM.
 
Old 01-03-2023, 01:21 PM   #3
yvesjv
Member
 
Registered: Sep 2015
Location: Australia
Distribution: Slackware, Devuan, Freebsd
Posts: 579

Rep: Reputation: Disabled
You have to create a partition the Mac EFI can see and boot the OS from.
From memory, I think it is hfs
Then use 'rEfind'
https://www.rodsbooks.com/refind/index.html
 
1 members found this post helpful.
Old 01-21-2023, 05:22 PM   #4
leclerc78
Member
 
Registered: Dec 2020
Posts: 169

Rep: Reputation: Disabled
Try this:
Burn MX to an USB pendrive, Power Off the Mac, hold the 'Option' key, then turn the Power on.
If it gives option to choose the USB, you are in luck - boot MX then install using 'Erase the entire disk'.
 
Old 01-26-2023, 05:10 PM   #5
ndowerg
LQ Newbie
 
Registered: Jan 2023
Location: Berlin
Posts: 2

Rep: Reputation: 0
Quote:
Originally Posted by punchy71 View Post
Hi,

I have an old MacBook Pro model A1425 laptop that I'm wanting to install Trisquel Linux onto. I've got an external DVD burner with the .iso image DVD on it plugged into the laptop through the USB port on the Mac. I've tried to boot into the UEFI (BIOS in the Windows machine world) to see if I could launch into it and boot off the DVD but it would not do that. Instead it just keeps starting up Windows which is installed on this particular laptop. I've done this many times on Windows machines but this is the first time I've tried to install Linux onto a Mac. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you
If you have an old MacBook Pro and want to get the most out of it, installing Linux could be a great way to go. It's a relatively simple process that will take some time to do but is worth it in the end. First, you must create a bootable USB drive with the Linux operating system on it. Once your device is ready, restart your MacBook Pro and press Option on startup. From here, select the USB drive from the list of available drives and continue with the installation process. With some patience and effort, you can soon enjoy the benefits of Linux on your trusty old Macbook Pro!
 
  


Reply



Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is Off
HTML code is Off



Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
I am inheriting a MacBook Pro (last year's model). What is the best Linux system for a MacBook? JMacSmith Linux - Desktop 4 02-27-2018 10:37 PM
[SOLVED] Revivng an Old A1226 MacBook Pro julianvb Linux - Laptop and Netbook 12 05-19-2016 07:32 PM
[SOLVED] How Do I Install deDECTED onto Kali-Linux or Audacity onto BT5R2 mervselm Linux - Newbie 1 09-07-2014 06:14 PM
install of HP OFFICEJET PRO L7590 with HPLIP onto Xandros pro phirow Linux - Newbie 1 05-16-2009 04:25 AM
Linux on a macbook/macbook pro... any experiences/problems, or is it even necessary? enigma_0Z Linux - Laptop and Netbook 13 09-14-2007 10:29 PM

LinuxQuestions.org > Forums > Linux Forums > Linux - Laptop and Netbook

All times are GMT -5. The time now is 09:05 AM.

Main Menu
Advertisement
My LQ
Write for LQ
LinuxQuestions.org is looking for people interested in writing Editorials, Articles, Reviews, and more. If you'd like to contribute content, let us know.
Main Menu
Syndicate
RSS1  Latest Threads
RSS1  LQ News
Twitter: @linuxquestions
Open Source Consulting | Domain Registration