Set up duel boot Win 10 Q4OS does not register in boot menu

q4osteam · 2025-12-02 11:35

Well, according to the log files, you only need to create EFI boot record:
- First install Q4OS again using winsetup.exe
- Reboot to a new Q4OS installation
- Poweroff computer
- Boot from a Linux live media
- Create a new boot record in terminal:
$ sudo efibootmgr --create --disk "/dev/sda3" --loader="\EFI\DebianBoot\shimx64.efi" --label="MyQ4OS"
- Check EFI records with the command and post its output:
$ sudo efibootmgr
- Reboot and find new boot entry in your Bios

digbyd11 · 2025-12-21 19:11

Hi, sorry it took so long to reply.

Done that and got the attached.

When I then reboot I get the Windows Boot Manager and the only boot option is Windows no Q4OS.

On the attached I assume the new MyQ4OS at the bottom should be a sub-entry in the Windows Boot Manager item in order for it to show as an option in this.

Attachments:

EFIreport.jpg, Size: 142.35 KiB, Downloads: 52

q4osteam · 2025-12-26 15:14

- Would you post a screenshot when you enter BIOS and select Efi boot entries menu ?
- Post a brief hardware specification, computer and motherboard manufacturer and type.

digbyd11 · 2025-12-28 20:16

Attached boot screen

I had assumed that the Q4OS option would have come up as a second option in the top half of the boot screen but does not seem to be the case.

Machine spec is following image post

digbyd11 · 2025-12-28 20:17

Attached boot screen

I had assumed that the Q4OS option would have come up as a second option in the top half of the boot screen but does not seem to be the case.

Machine spec is following image post

Attachments:

Boot.JPG, Size: 135.93 KiB, Downloads: 50

digbyd11 · 2025-12-28 20:18

Machine spec is attached

Attachments:

Spec.jpg, Size: 71.9 KiB, Downloads: 47

q4osteam · 2025-12-28 20:36

digbyd11 wrote:

I had assumed that the Q4OS option would have come up as a second option in the top half of the boot screen ...

Yes, but would you post a screenshot, if you enter BIOS and select Efi options ?

- What is manufacturer and type of your computer ?

Last edited by q4osteam (2025-12-28 20:38)

digbyd11 · 2025-12-29 14:11

Hi I will send 3 posts, one for each of the images.

This first one contains another copy of machine spec from which you will see that the machine is a TOSHIBA LX830. The rest of the spec is included in this image.

The second post will have Bios1 image attached from which you will se that there is no EFi option.

The third post will have Bios2 image from the advanced settings and you will se that UEFI boot is enabled.

Interestingly you will see that in Bios1 the USB listing is blank, this is because I do not have any bootable media plugged into any USB. However if I do plug in a bootable USB, for example I have MXLIVE on a USB stick, then the USB boot item detects this and has the device listed and I can boot the MXLIVE system. I have tried to do the same with Q4OS Live boot but this does not register and the USB option remains blank. Do not know if this is part of the current problem.

Regards

Attachments:

Spec.jpg, Size: 71.9 KiB, Downloads: 57

digbyd11 · 2025-12-29 14:12

The second post will have Bios1 image attached from which you will se that there is no EFi option.

Regards

Attachments:

Bios1.JPG, Size: 110.29 KiB, Downloads: 55

digbyd11 · 2025-12-29 14:13

The third post will have Bios2 image from the advanced settings and you will se that UEFI boot is enabled.

Regards

Attachments:

Bios2.JPG, Size: 123.66 KiB, Downloads: 49

q4osteam · 2025-12-29 14:29

digbyd11 wrote:

... TOSHIBA LX830 ...

Oh now we see. We have missed it first.
We will take some investigation and post back again

q4osteam · 2025-12-29 14:49

In the "Bios1.jpg" we see a second menu item "Security". What if you open this submenu, post screenshot please.

digbyd11 · 2025-12-29 16:13

Hi 3 posts again with the following.

In this one the Security image as requested.

Second one is Bios1a which shows the USB entry with a live distro loaded.

Third one is GRUB EFi which I am able to call up with the MXLIVE distro booted.

Regards

Attachments:

Bios3.JPG, Size: 108.32 KiB, Downloads: 57

digbyd11 · 2025-12-29 16:14

Second one is Bios1a which shows the USB entry with a live distro loaded.

Regards

Attachments:

Bios1a.JPG, Size: 137.19 KiB, Downloads: 49

digbyd11 · 2025-12-29 16:14

Third one is GRUB EFi which I am able to call up with the MXLIVE distro booted.

Regards

Attachments:

GRUB EFi.JPG, Size: 110.69 KiB, Downloads: 59

q4osteam · 2025-12-29 17:33

Well, the Debian/Q4OS Efi record exists, see "DebianBoot" entry on "GRUB EFi.JPG". We only need to enforce BIOS to load this record on startup.

We would try:
- Enable secure boot
- Upgrade BIOS firmware

Last edited by q4osteam (2025-12-29 17:35)

digbyd11 · 2025-12-29 19:04

Hi

Done that, BIOS is up to date and enabling secure boot changes nothing.

Like you I noticed that the EFi record exists but for some reason Windows Boot will not accept it.

Regards

q4osteam · 2025-12-29 19:35

So we conclude your Bios doesn't accept the boot record for an unknown reason. Now we can only recommend a more complicated setup, if you would want to try it.
Install plain Debian alongside your Windows as a dual boot setup, let Debian installer write EFI boot record and check if it's accepted by BIOS. If yes, it may be possible to figure out differences and modify this EFI record to load existing Q4OS.

digbyd11 · 2025-12-29 20:07

There are a number of considerations here.

First why am I trying to get Q4OS to work. The reason for this is now probably passed so it is going into the too hard box.

As you have seen I have a MXLIVE option for booting Linux, I just ensure this is in a USB socket before booting and I get Linux or remove it and I get Windows.

I also have WSL so can use a terminal to access Linux functionality even when Windows is running.

These two probably give me all I need but it would have been nice to get the Linux/Windows choice during boot which is what attracted me to Q4OS.

Lets leave it in the too hard box and get on with life.

Thanks for trying.

Regards

q4osteam · 2026-01-04 21:42

Well, anyway thanks for the detailed reporting. If you would get any new findings, feel free to share it here.

Q4OS Forum

#26 2025-12-02 11:35

Re: Set up duel boot Win 10 Q4OS does not register in boot menu

#27 2025-12-21 19:11

Re: Set up duel boot Win 10 Q4OS does not register in boot menu

#28 2025-12-26 15:14

Re: Set up duel boot Win 10 Q4OS does not register in boot menu

#29 2025-12-28 20:16

Re: Set up duel boot Win 10 Q4OS does not register in boot menu

#30 2025-12-28 20:17

Re: Set up duel boot Win 10 Q4OS does not register in boot menu

#31 2025-12-28 20:18

Re: Set up duel boot Win 10 Q4OS does not register in boot menu

#32 2025-12-28 20:36

Re: Set up duel boot Win 10 Q4OS does not register in boot menu

#33 2025-12-29 14:11

Re: Set up duel boot Win 10 Q4OS does not register in boot menu

#34 2025-12-29 14:12

Re: Set up duel boot Win 10 Q4OS does not register in boot menu

#35 2025-12-29 14:13

Re: Set up duel boot Win 10 Q4OS does not register in boot menu

#36 2025-12-29 14:29

Re: Set up duel boot Win 10 Q4OS does not register in boot menu

#37 2025-12-29 14:49

Re: Set up duel boot Win 10 Q4OS does not register in boot menu

#38 2025-12-29 16:13

Re: Set up duel boot Win 10 Q4OS does not register in boot menu

#39 2025-12-29 16:14

Re: Set up duel boot Win 10 Q4OS does not register in boot menu

#40 2025-12-29 16:14

Re: Set up duel boot Win 10 Q4OS does not register in boot menu

#41 2025-12-29 17:33

Re: Set up duel boot Win 10 Q4OS does not register in boot menu

#42 2025-12-29 19:04

Re: Set up duel boot Win 10 Q4OS does not register in boot menu

#43 2025-12-29 19:35

Re: Set up duel boot Win 10 Q4OS does not register in boot menu

#44 2025-12-29 20:07

Re: Set up duel boot Win 10 Q4OS does not register in boot menu

#45 2026-01-04 21:42

Re: Set up duel boot Win 10 Q4OS does not register in boot menu

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