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linux-x64-grub-uefi-32bit

This guide explains how to boot a 64-bit (amd64) Linux live USB on a device that has an amd64 processor but a 32-bit UEFI. An example of this kind of device is the ASUS Transformer Book T100TA.

In my test I used the Lubuntu 18.10 amd64 ISO file, and I flashed it onto a USB stick using Rufus, with the following settings:

  • Partition scheme: GPT
  • Target system: UEFI (non CSM)

Once you have your Linux 64-bit live USB pendrive ready, download the following bootia32.efi file, which is basically 32-bit GRUB:

https://github.com/hirotakaster/baytail-bootia32.efi/blob/master/bootia32.efi

Check that the sha256sum is correct:

Bash
echo c4078bdc315cdd974fdb0986b7b73a31539e34bf0644e9d7c64cde925f73300b bootia32.efi | sha256sum -c

Note: some people say that you can also get 32-bit GRUB from a 32-bit Linux ISO file. See https://github.com/hirotakaster/baytail-bootia32.efi/issues/2#issue-1096028306

Then copy the bootia32.efi file to the /EFI/BOOT directory of the Linux 64-bit live USB stick you just flashed.

Finally, insert the USB stick into your device and turn it on. The GRUB menu should appear: