Linux installation key not working in BIOS
Solved
Laurine Monier
-
jns55 -
jns55 -
Hello,
I want to install Ubuntu on my computer and remove Windows. I booted my USB stick with a downloaded version of Ubuntu using the LinuxLiveUSBcreator software. Then I followed the tutorials, I plugged my USB into the computer, turned it off, then on, and went into the BIOS to change the boot priority, setting my USB as number 1. Then, when I saved and exited, it was supposed to take me to Ubuntu, but I go back to the BIOS as if my computer thinks my USB does not contain Ubuntu.
I hope I'm clear enough, I'm not an expert in computers, sorry ^^
Thank you!
Configuration: Windows / Chrome 56.0.2924.87
I want to install Ubuntu on my computer and remove Windows. I booted my USB stick with a downloaded version of Ubuntu using the LinuxLiveUSBcreator software. Then I followed the tutorials, I plugged my USB into the computer, turned it off, then on, and went into the BIOS to change the boot priority, setting my USB as number 1. Then, when I saved and exited, it was supposed to take me to Ubuntu, but I go back to the BIOS as if my computer thinks my USB does not contain Ubuntu.
I hope I'm clear enough, I'm not an expert in computers, sorry ^^
Thank you!
Configuration: Windows / Chrome 56.0.2924.87
6 réponses
Hello,
Your message is very clear, so don't worry. It's one of two things:
- either your key was poorly prepared
- or the BIOS has secure boot and your key doesn't allow you to boot from it.
If your key works on another PC, then the second explanation is the correct one. So, can you test it on another PC and see if the result is the same?
Additionally, managing secure boot requires using a recent distribution. Is that the case?
https://ubuntu.com/
If the problem persists, you may need to disable secure boot:
https://doc.ubuntu-fr.org/uefi#activerdesactiver_le_secure_boot
Good luck
Your message is very clear, so don't worry. It's one of two things:
- either your key was poorly prepared
- or the BIOS has secure boot and your key doesn't allow you to boot from it.
If your key works on another PC, then the second explanation is the correct one. So, can you test it on another PC and see if the result is the same?
Additionally, managing secure boot requires using a recent distribution. Is that the case?
https://ubuntu.com/
If the problem persists, you may need to disable secure boot:
https://doc.ubuntu-fr.org/uefi#activerdesactiver_le_secure_boot
Good luck
Thank you for the reply!! I tested it on another computer and the pre-installation test worked!
As for the version, I tested several including the latest one, and that doesn't work either...
And so I just disabled the secure boot, and that didn't change anything, I go back to the BIOS.
As for the version, I tested several including the latest one, and that doesn't work either...
And so I just disabled the secure boot, and that didn't change anything, I go back to the BIOS.
Hello,
What version of Windows is currently installed?
What is the brand and model of the PC?
If your PC boots in UEFI (which is probably the case if your PC is recent), only the 64-bit version of Linux can boot on your PC.
Note: You don't need to change the boot priority in the BIOS to boot from a media; you just need to display the boot menu (key combination briefly indicated on the screen during power-up). If your USB stick is not on the list, it means the stick is not recognized as a bootable device.
What version of Windows is currently installed?
What is the brand and model of the PC?
If your PC boots in UEFI (which is probably the case if your PC is recent), only the 64-bit version of Linux can boot on your PC.
Note: You don't need to change the boot priority in the BIOS to boot from a media; you just need to display the boot menu (key combination briefly indicated on the screen during power-up). If your USB stick is not on the list, it means the stick is not recognized as a bootable device.
Hello!
So it's this computer: https://www.asus.com/fr/Notebooks/ASUS_EeeBook_X205TA
so with 2GB of RAM and an SSD as storage
The installed version is Windows 10.
Even though the PC is 32-bit, should I boot in 64?
My USB drive appears in the boot menu.
So it's this computer: https://www.asus.com/fr/Notebooks/ASUS_EeeBook_X205TA
so with 2GB of RAM and an SSD as storage
The installed version is Windows 10.
Even though the PC is 32-bit, should I boot in 64?
My USB drive appears in the boot menu.
Bad luck! This PC is not compatible with the installation of Linux in UEFI.
Explanation: 32-bit UEFI firmware and no possibility to switch the BIOS to legacy mode! Grrrr!
Current Linux distributions can only boot in UEFI with 64-bit firmware.
There is indeed a trick to install Debian 32-bit:
https://wiki.debian.org/InstallingDebianOn/Asus/X205TA
But it's high-level acrobatics and I'm afraid that in the end, everything may not be fully operational.
I'm afraid you may be forced to keep your W10.
Sorry.
Explanation: 32-bit UEFI firmware and no possibility to switch the BIOS to legacy mode! Grrrr!
Current Linux distributions can only boot in UEFI with 64-bit firmware.
There is indeed a trick to install Debian 32-bit:
https://wiki.debian.org/InstallingDebianOn/Asus/X205TA
But it's high-level acrobatics and I'm afraid that in the end, everything may not be fully operational.
I'm afraid you may be forced to keep your W10.
Sorry.
Hello Laurine,
Let's say that what jns55 says is supported notably here:
https://forum.ubuntu-fr.org/viewtopic.php?id=1489691
https://mjg59.dreamwidth.org/26734.html
If you want a dual boot, try checking the link from jns55
https://wiki.debian.org/InstallingDebianOn/Asus/X205TA
https://forum.ubuntu-fr.org/viewtopic.php?id=1489691
You might also consider asking to replace your PC with one that doesn't have a 32-bit uefi firmware.
Another, simpler solution is to install Linux in a virtual machine (like VirtualBox) and stay on Windows).
Good luck
PS: I think uefi and all this secure boot stuff is really a pain: it's incomprehensible for an uninformed user, and you only hear about it once you run into the problem. The worst part is that you aren't even warned when you make the purchase, and even when you know the "joke," you don't always have information about the type of uefi installed on your PC.
@jns55: and just to understand, because it's quite obscure for me, is it possible to change a 32-bit uefi to 64 bits in this case? Because if I understood your reasoning correctly, the problem is specific to this type of uefi?
Let's say that what jns55 says is supported notably here:
https://forum.ubuntu-fr.org/viewtopic.php?id=1489691
https://mjg59.dreamwidth.org/26734.html
If you want a dual boot, try checking the link from jns55
https://wiki.debian.org/InstallingDebianOn/Asus/X205TA
https://forum.ubuntu-fr.org/viewtopic.php?id=1489691
You might also consider asking to replace your PC with one that doesn't have a 32-bit uefi firmware.
Another, simpler solution is to install Linux in a virtual machine (like VirtualBox) and stay on Windows).
Good luck
PS: I think uefi and all this secure boot stuff is really a pain: it's incomprehensible for an uninformed user, and you only hear about it once you run into the problem. The worst part is that you aren't even warned when you make the purchase, and even when you know the "joke," you don't always have information about the type of uefi installed on your PC.
@jns55: and just to understand, because it's quite obscure for me, is it possible to change a 32-bit uefi to 64 bits in this case? Because if I understood your reasoning correctly, the problem is specific to this type of uefi?
@jns55: Just to understand, because it's quite obscure for me, is it possible to change from a 32-bit UEFI to a 64-bit one in his case? Because if I understand your reasoning correctly, the problem is specific to this type of UEFI?
To switch to a 64-bit UEFI, a BIOS update would be needed that goes in that direction. I doubt it is available.
The problem is specific to all those low-cost PCs with only 2GB of RAM and a pre-installed 32-bit Windows 10. The manufacturer, to save a few euros on the RAM installed in the PC, decided to install a 32-bit version of Windows on the grounds that a 32-bit software consumes less memory than the same software in 64-bit, and for that, included a 32-bit UEFI firmware. It's just a matter of "low cost."
When the BIOS has the "legacy mode" option, the problem can be easily circumvented by converting the hard drive to the MSDOS format and enabling this legacy mode, allowing the installation to proceed as on older PCs; however, often on this type of BIOS, the available options are really minimal, and this possibility is not offered (notably on this model).
The installation of Debian as proposed in the tutorial I indicated seems quite risky because in any case, not everything will work and the configuration is likely to be challenging.
As for a Linux virtual machine, on such a PC it doesn't seem feasible to me with so little memory (2GB) and disk space (32GB).
All we can do is inform future buyers of such machines: if the version of Windows installed is a 32-bit version, be aware that you will not be able to install Linux on it, so buy with full knowledge of the facts.
Unless one day we have compatible 32-bit Linux distros, but I doubt it since 32-bit is on the decline and 32-bit versions are becoming obsolete.
To switch to a 64-bit UEFI, a BIOS update would be needed that goes in that direction. I doubt it is available.
The problem is specific to all those low-cost PCs with only 2GB of RAM and a pre-installed 32-bit Windows 10. The manufacturer, to save a few euros on the RAM installed in the PC, decided to install a 32-bit version of Windows on the grounds that a 32-bit software consumes less memory than the same software in 64-bit, and for that, included a 32-bit UEFI firmware. It's just a matter of "low cost."
When the BIOS has the "legacy mode" option, the problem can be easily circumvented by converting the hard drive to the MSDOS format and enabling this legacy mode, allowing the installation to proceed as on older PCs; however, often on this type of BIOS, the available options are really minimal, and this possibility is not offered (notably on this model).
The installation of Debian as proposed in the tutorial I indicated seems quite risky because in any case, not everything will work and the configuration is likely to be challenging.
As for a Linux virtual machine, on such a PC it doesn't seem feasible to me with so little memory (2GB) and disk space (32GB).
All we can do is inform future buyers of such machines: if the version of Windows installed is a 32-bit version, be aware that you will not be able to install Linux on it, so buy with full knowledge of the facts.
Unless one day we have compatible 32-bit Linux distros, but I doubt it since 32-bit is on the decline and 32-bit versions are becoming obsolete.
If you still want to give it a shot and you're not afraid of the difficulty, I found this tutorial to create an installation support for Ubuntu.
https://github.com/lopaka/instructions/blob/master/ubuntu-16.04-install-asus-x205ta.md
It's not simple as you can see, and after installation, the sound doesn't work; you'll have to tinker some more.
If you're interested, first make a backup of Windows if you don't want to end up with an unusable PC.
https://github.com/lopaka/instructions/blob/master/ubuntu-16.04-install-asus-x205ta.md
It's not simple as you can see, and after installation, the sound doesn't work; you'll have to tinker some more.
If you're interested, first make a backup of Windows if you don't want to end up with an unusable PC.