Steam OS UEFI Workaround Method 1

Method 1: Grub and SysLinux

This method is provided  with great thanks to /u/FrostyCoolSlug of Reddit.  Please use extreme caution when trying any of these steps, and I am not responsible for any damage to an existing computer installation.

Disclaimers:

• This configuration will automatically wipe your hard drive and install SteamOS as soon as it’s finished booting. Don’t use on a real computer unless you’re REALLY sure.
• I take no responsibility if you break your machine following these instructions!
• I’m not going to “support” this installation method, it’s very much a “Works for me” situation, YMMV.

These instructions assume your USB pen drive is on D: – Adjust where relevant

Step 1: Download syslinux from Here[1]

Step 2: Download the following two Grub packages^* and place them in D:\grub (you may need to create it)

• http://www.l4d3.org/grub-pc_1.99-27+deb7u1+steamos3+bsos1_amd64.deb[2]
• http://www.l4d3.org/grub-pc-bin_1.99-27+deb7u1+steamos3+bsos1_amd64.deb[3]

Note: if for some reason those files are removed, I have uploaded these to my public bitorrent sync directory here:

• Install BitTorrent Sync
• Create a folder in your home directory
• Use the key “BWSL4QC5J7E5HSLNHNR4BSIBA47E6DOZB”, to add the sync folder

Step 2: Extract the SteamOSInstaller.zip file to the root of your USB drive

Step 3: In the root of your USB drive, create a new folder called syslinux

Step 4: From the downloaded syslinux zip file, extract bios/win32 and bios/mbr into D:\syslinux\

Step 4: Open a Command Prompt as Administrator and run MAKE SURE YOU CORRECT THE DRIVE LETTER!:

d:\syslinux\win32\syslinux.exe --install --mbr --active d:

Step 5: Create the file D:\syslinux.cfg and put in the following:

DEFAULT linux
TIMEOUT 50
LABEL linux 
kernel install.amd/vmlinuz 
append initrd=install.amd/gtk/initrd.gz preseed/file=/cdrom/default.preseed DEBCONF_DEBUG=developer desktop=steamos auto=true priority=critical video=vesa:ywrap,mtrr vga=788 -- quiet

Step 6: Insert the USB drive into the target machine and boot, the installer should run.

Step 7: The installer will FAIL when attempting to install grub, as grub-pc is missing, hold Ctrl+Alt and Hit F2 to drop into a shell, hit Enter to activate it.

Step 8: Type the following and when prompted, do not select any drives, just hit OK and then ‘Yes’:

chroot /target /bin/bash
apt-get install grub-common grub2-common
dpkg -i /media/cdrom/grub/grub-pc-bin_1.99-27+deb7u1+steamos3+bsos1_amd64.deb
dpkg -i /media/cdrom/grub/grub-pc_1.99-27+deb7u1+steamos3+bsos1_amd64.deb

Step 9: Once that’s complete, Hold Ctrl+Alt then hit F5 to return to the UI

Step 10: Hit ‘Continue’ to try grub again, this time it should run properly, say ‘Yes’ to installing to the MBR and the installation will complete.

Step 11: Once installation is complete, follow the rest of the guide Here[4]

^* Note that the grub packages are hosted by me (edit: /u/FrostyCoolSlug), they are simply the standard debian builds with the DEBIAN/control file edited to repair dependency problems, and re-versioned to reflect their SteamOS usefulness.

Post installation

• These steps are VERY important, as this installation method is of the type Valve considers a “Custom Installation.”

• After installation is complete, log onto the resulting system (using the Gnome session) with the predefined “steam” account.  The username is “desktop” and the password is “desktop”
• Open the “Home” folder and run the file “post_logon.sh”  Choose to “Run in Terminal.”  This is paramount for big picture mode.
• Enter your sudo password of “desktop”
• Installation will commence and reboot the PC.  (you may have to reboot twice)
• Note: if for some reason the reboot fails to find the kernel, hit “return” and choose the 1st default GRUB boot entry.  The OS will then load.
• After picking “Gnome” and logging on with the Steam account (password “steam),  hit the “Return to Steam” shortcut on the desktop.

VirtualBox Users 

To boot from USB, download this[5] , extract plpbt.iso and boot from that, it’ll allow a USB boot. Note that ‘Enable USB 2.0 (EHCI) Controller’ must be DISABLED.

Troubleshooting

Issue 1:
“I am stuck on now is “Run steam, accept the EULA, and let it bootstrap. Logoff the steam account”.”

Solution 1:
run steam from a terminal for it to work, once I was on the login screen, I quit steam then logged out the steam user, then jumpped into desktop and executed the script.

Issue 2:
Ran the script, it rebooted into capturing recovery partition mode then something failed and threw me into (initramfs) prompt.  I rebooted into “normal” mode again and after the loading finishes I get stuck with a black screen.”

Solution 2:
This was caused by having two screens attached. Disconnecting one of them helped.

Issue 3:
“I’ve noticed it sometimes seemingly dismounting my USB drive, not entirely sure what causes it, try it again and see if it’s any better… There may be a driver issue otherwise, I’ve only done my testing in VirtualBox.”

Solution 3:
If you Ctrl+alt+F4, the logs might explain why it’s not working.

Issue 4:
My USB drive won’t boot using syslinux 😦

Solution 4:
Thanks to lukaskurucz below, try modifying your boot entry to the following:

DEFAULT linux
TIMEOUT 50
LABEL linux
KERNEL install.amd/vmlinuz
APPEND initrd=install.amd/gtk/initrd.gz preseed/file=/cdrom/default.preseed DEBCONF_DEBUG=developer desktop=steamos auto=true priority=critical video=vesa:ywrap,mtrr vga=788 — quiet

Sources:

Arstechnica
Reddit