Confusion regarding various editions of Kitkat r2

[JaWa]

Hello Everyone,

Happy New Year 2015 to all.

First-up, Thank you to the devs for keeping this project so awesome and under continuous development. I am a great fan of Android on X86.

I currently use the Kitkat x86 r1 on 2 of my desktops and laptops with windows dualbooted. When i saw that r2 was released with the new kernel (3.18), i rejoiced. My 3rd (new) desktop with a usb Wifi adapter will be hopefully able to connect to the internet with this new kernel.

Coming to the main point.

I saw that there are 2 Images listed on the android x86 website.

1. EFI (IMG)

2. Traditional BIOS(ISO)

My question is that, all my Pcs have UEFI BIOS. So do i need to install the EFI img ore the Traditional ISO image as i have been doing since the last few versions of Android x86.

Basically, i need to know what is the difference between the two. Coz im unable to understand even after various searches.

One Information i would like to give you is that i need to Install Android x86 on my disk along with windows and not just live boot.

Thnak you in advance and continue the good work you are doing for the years to come.

[midi jari]

Since the Installer only support MBR sector, whatever you use will workout :P You just need to transfer it to your HDD :)

[Reuben Karpovich]

The difference between efi and bios is that they are different types of firmware. Also, most UEFI PCs have bios compatability. If you can boot option 2, at least that part of the equation is solved. My guess is they built the efi image to allow more PCs to boot up the project.

Here is the important bit "Primary support booting from UEFI. Note the installer still doesn't work for GPT partition table. But you may manually install it."

 if your Windows install is done on a GPT partition table, I'd recommend against installing natively. If can't recommend doing the manual install. If you are on the older style MBR partition table, download GParted, shrink down your Windows partition. It will most likely be of NTFS file system. Then proceed to install your version of Android. Again, this only applies if you are installing natively and intend to not wipe your Windows install.

If you installed previous versions of Android natively on your particular hardware, just use option 2 and format over your partition with the previous Android install. Good luck and ask any other question you may have.

[Reuben Karpovich]

Re-reading your comment, since the iso images have worked, keep using them. If you install on new hardware, see my other comment.

[Chih-Wei Huang]

The differences between two files are:

* boot loader: the iso uses isolinux, while the efi uses grub2-efi
* kernel: the iso uses 32-bit kernel, while the efi uses 64-bit
(note the userspace is still 32-bit)

If the iso works for you before, keep using it.
Though it won't hurt you if you'd like to try
the fresh efi mage.

[JaWa]

Thank You @misi jari, @Reuben Karpovich, and Chih-Wei Huang for your replies!!

Now i understood the difference!!!