vineyardbovines · July 21, 2025 05:40 · Apr 21, 2021 · Apr 21, 2021 · May 22, 2018 · May 22, 2018
diff --git a/macOS x arch linux b/macOS x arch linux
@@ -225,8 +225,6 @@ swapoff -a
 reboot
 
 # after reboot, you should be brought to the rEFInd menu
-# select the linux penguin, and you then should be brought
-# to GRUB. select the second option (fallback initramfs)
 
 #######
 step 12. (arch) - last configurations

diff --git a/macOS x arch linux b/macOS x arch linux
@@ -115,7 +115,6 @@ cgdisk /dev/sda
 # create the following partitions from the free space:
 (size, name, hex)
 
-- 100m, efi, ef00
 - 128m, linux boot loader, 8300
 - 8g, swap, 8200
 - 256m, boot, 8300
@@ -131,9 +130,6 @@ step 7. (arch USB) - format partitions
 
 run `fdisk -l` to know each disk number (/dev/sdX).
 
-# for efi:
-mkfs.vat -F32 /dev/sdX
-
 # for boot:
 mkfs.ext2 /dev/sdX
 
@@ -148,16 +144,11 @@ swapon /dev/sdX
 step 8. (arch USB) - mount filesystems
 ######
 
-*NOTE*: when we mount the efi partition, we're mounting the 100m
-one we created, NOT the 200m one automatically created by macOS
-(usually /dev/sda1). leave that one alone. you've been warned.
-
 # first, mount the root partition:
 mount /dev/sdX /mnt
 
 # mount the rest (order matters):
 mkdir /mnt/boot && mount /dev/sdX /mnt/boot
-mkdir /mnt/boot/efi && mount /dev/sdX /mnt/boot/efi
 mkdir /mnt/var && mount /dev/sdX /mnt/var
 mkdir /mnt/home && mount /dev/sdX /mnt/home
 
@@ -166,7 +157,7 @@ step 9. (arch USB) - install arch and extra packages needed
 ######
 
 # install arch & extras (vim and zsh not necessary):
-pacstrap /mnt base base-devel zsh vim git grub-efi-x86_64 efibootmgr dialog wpa_supplicant
+pacstrap /mnt base base-devel zsh vim git efibootmgr dialog wpa_supplicant
 
 # set fstab to record filesystem settings:
 genfstab -p /mnt >> /mnt/etc/dstab
@@ -220,20 +211,7 @@ export LANG=en_US.UTF-8
 mkinitcpio -p linux
 
 #######
-step 11. (arch USB) - install grub
-#######
-
-# find the ESP number, probably /dev/sda1
-parted /dev/sda print
-
-# install grub
-grub-install --target=x86_64-efi --efi-directory=/boot/efi --bootloader-id=GRUB
-
-# generate grub.cfg
-grub-mkconfig -o /boot/grub/grub.cfg
-
-#######
-step 12. (arch USB) - finishing off
+step 11. (arch USB) - finishing off
 #######
 
 # exit the new system
@@ -251,7 +229,7 @@ reboot
 # to GRUB. select the second option (fallback initramfs)
 
 #######
-step 13. (arch) - last configurations
+step 12. (arch) - last configurations
 #######
 
 # login as root

diff --git a/macOS x arch linux b/macOS x arch linux
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-###################################
+#####################################################
 # dual booting arch linux & macOS
 # on a macbook pro 12,1
 # ft. rEFInd
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@
 #
 # for each major step, i've denoted where you should
 # be booted to in order to complete the step
-###################################
+#####################################################
 
 
 ######

diff --git a/macOS x arch linux b/macOS x arch linux
@@ -0,0 +1,292 @@
+###################################
+# dual booting arch linux & macOS
+# on a macbook pro 12,1
+# ft. rEFInd
+#
+# this guide has been smashed together from a variety
+# of other awesome guides out there for dual booting
+# including but not limited to:
+# mark nichols' 5 part guide: https://zanshin.net/2015/02/05/arch-linux-on-a-macbook-pro-part-1-creating-a-usb-installer/
+# the arch linux docs: https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/mac#Arch_Linux_with_OS_X_or_other_operating_systems
+# jonathan yantis' crazy insta-arch scripts: https://github.com/yantis/instant-archlinux-on-mac
+#
+# for each major step, i've denoted where you should
+# be booted to in order to complete the step
+###################################
+
+
+######
+step 1. (macOS) - install arch linux to bootable USB
+######
+
+# download an ISO of arch (https://www.archlinux.org/download/)
+# convert the ISO to UDRW format
+hdiutil convert -format UDRW -o destination_file.img source_file.iso
+
+# if you prefer a GUI, i recommend Etcher (https://etcher.io/)
+
+# otherwise...
+
+# format the USB
+- run `diskutil list` and find the identifier for your USB (/dev/diskX)
+- erase the USB completely
+   - run `diskutil partitionDisk /dev/diskX 1 "Free Space" "unused" "100%"
+
+# copy the iso to usb:
+dd if=destination_file.img of/dev/diskX bs=1m
+
+# if you had an issue with the filetype you created (the `.img.dmg`), 
+# you can remove `.dmg` from the filename.
+
+# eject the drive
+diskutil eject /dev/diskX
+
+######
+step 2. (macOS) - partition disk
+######
+
+# set aside a partition for arch linux in disk utility. 
+# make sure the new partition is any filesystem type except APFS.
+
+# you'll be erasing this anyway.
+
+######
+step 3. (macOS) - install rEFInd
+######
+
+# at this point, plugin your the USB stick with arch you created.
+
+# get rEFInd here: https://sourceforge.net/projects/refind/files/latest/download
+
+# unzip and install rEFInd by running ./refind-install in the directory
+
+# verify it works by restarting. you should be immediately brought to the 
+# rEFInd menu. from there, boot into your USB.
+
+######
+step 3a. OPTIONAL (macOS) - configure rEFInd
+
+# in order to configure rEFInd, we have to edit the refind.conf
+
+# mount the EFI partition and go to it
+sudo mount -t msdos /dev/disk0s1 /Volumes
+cd /Volumes/EFI/rEFInd
+
+# download your chosen theme with git
+# in this case, i chose rEFInd-minimal
+git clone https://github.com/EvanPurkhiser/rEFInd-minimal
+
+# add the theme to refind.conf
+echo "include rEFInd-minimal/theme.conf" >> refind.conf
+
+# change the icon paths in refind.conf
+vi refind.conf
+# locate the menuentry configs and change the path after icon
+# for arch linux: /EFI/refind/themes/rEFInd-minimal/icons/os_arch.png
+# for macOS:      /EFI/refind/themes/rEFInd-minimal/icons/os_mac.png
+
+######
+step 5. (arch USB) get connected
+######
+
+# we need to be connected to the internet to install arch. 
+# newer macbooks ditched ethernet ports, so unless you have a dongle, 
+# we need to connect to wifi.
+wifi-menu
+
+# give it about ~2 mins. check it if works
+ping -c 3 google.com
+
+######
+step 6. (arch USB) create partitions
+######
+
+# we have to split our linux partition further for arch.
+
+# look for your new partition. 
+cgdisk /dev/sda
+
+# to distinguish it from your macOS partition, it's the one that IS NOT
+# called 'Untitled'. Your macOS partition is usually /dev/sda2.
+
+# once you know you have the right partition selected, delete it. it should
+# now just be free space.
+
+# create the following partitions from the free space:
+(size, name, hex)
+
+- 100m, efi, ef00
+- 128m, linux boot loader, 8300
+- 8g, swap, 8200
+- 256m, boot, 8300
+- 40g, root, 8300
+- 12g, var, 8300
+- the rest, home, 8300
+
+# once you're done, hit 'write'.
+
+######
+step 7. (arch USB) - format partitions
+######
+
+run `fdisk -l` to know each disk number (/dev/sdX).
+
+# for efi:
+mkfs.vat -F32 /dev/sdX
+
+# for boot:
+mkfs.ext2 /dev/sdX
+
+# for the rest (root, var, home):
+mkfs.ex4 /dev/sdX
+
+# for swap:
+mkswap /dev/sdX
+swapon /dev/sdX
+
+######
+step 8. (arch USB) - mount filesystems
+######
+
+*NOTE*: when we mount the efi partition, we're mounting the 100m
+one we created, NOT the 200m one automatically created by macOS
+(usually /dev/sda1). leave that one alone. you've been warned.
+
+# first, mount the root partition:
+mount /dev/sdX /mnt
+
+# mount the rest (order matters):
+mkdir /mnt/boot && mount /dev/sdX /mnt/boot
+mkdir /mnt/boot/efi && mount /dev/sdX /mnt/boot/efi
+mkdir /mnt/var && mount /dev/sdX /mnt/var
+mkdir /mnt/home && mount /dev/sdX /mnt/home
+
+######
+step 9. (arch USB) - install arch and extra packages needed
+######
+
+# install arch & extras (vim and zsh not necessary):
+pacstrap /mnt base base-devel zsh vim git grub-efi-x86_64 efibootmgr dialog wpa_supplicant
+
+# set fstab to record filesystem settings:
+genfstab -p /mnt >> /mnt/etc/dstab
+
+#######
+step 10. (arch USB) - set initial arch configs
+#######
+
+# chroot into the new system:
+arch-chroot /mnt /bin/bash
+
+# set hostname
+echo MYHOSTNAME > /etc/hostname
+
+# set timezone
+ln -sf /usr/share/zoneinfo/REGION/CITY /etc/localtime
+
+# set hardware clock
+hwclock --systohc --utc
+
+# update locale
+echo LANG=en_US.UTF-8 >> /etc/locale.conf
+echo LANGUAGE=en_US >> /etc/locale.conf
+echo LC_ALL=C >> /etc/locale.conf
+
+# set root password
+passwd
+
+# add yourself as a user
+# if you don't want zsh, remove the -s flag
+# and change /bin/zsh to /bin/bash
+useradd -m -g users -G wheel -s /bin/zsh MYUSERNAME
+passwd MYUSERNAME
+
+# allow users to execute commands as sudo
+visudo
+# uncomment the `wheel` line
+
+# add the locale
+# en_US.UTF-8 is uncommented by default
+# if you need another locale, you can uncomment the
+# one you want- `sudo vi /etc/locale.gen`
+# otherwise, you can just generate the locale
+locale-gen
+
+# export locale settings
+echo LANG=en_US.UTF8 > /etc/locale.conf
+export LANG=en_US.UTF-8
+
+# generate initrd
+mkinitcpio -p linux
+
+#######
+step 11. (arch USB) - install grub
+#######
+
+# find the ESP number, probably /dev/sda1
+parted /dev/sda print
+
+# install grub
+grub-install --target=x86_64-efi --efi-directory=/boot/efi --bootloader-id=GRUB
+
+# generate grub.cfg
+grub-mkconfig -o /boot/grub/grub.cfg
+
+#######
+step 12. (arch USB) - finishing off
+#######
+
+# exit the new system
+exit
+
+# unmount all partitions
+umount -R /mnt
+swapoff -a
+
+# reboot into the new system
+reboot
+
+# after reboot, you should be brought to the rEFInd menu
+# select the linux penguin, and you then should be brought
+# to GRUB. select the second option (fallback initramfs)
+
+#######
+step 13. (arch) - last configurations
+#######
+
+# login as root
+
+# edit modules
+vi /etc/mkinitcpio.conf
+
+# add ata_piix to the MODULES line
+
+# save and reboot
+
+###########################
+completing the installation
+###########################
+
+After reboot, you should be brought to rEFInd. On selecting
+the Linux penguin, you should be brought to GRUB. Select
+the first option, and Arch Linux should start up properly.
+
+#####################
+further configuration
+#####################
+
+this next section installs KDE Plasma and i3-gaps 
+window manager.
+
+# install plasma
+sudo pacman -S plasma
+# hit enter to install all default packages
+
+# install SDDM, plasma recommended desktop manager
+sudo pacman -S sddm
+
+# add sddm to system startup
+sudo systemctl enable sddm
+
+# install i3 package group
+sudo pacman -S i3-gaps
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