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Installing Ubuntu on a Windows 11 PC

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p_hilippe_42 Posted messages 26 Registration date   Status Member Last intervention   -  
 jns55 -
Hello,

My previous laptop, which was exclusively running Ubuntu, died, and now I have an ACER Aspire Lite 17, with Windows 11 on which I would like to install Ubuntu again by itself (without partition). The F2 key works and I was able to access the "advanced settings," but after changing the boot settings (boot from USB enabled, w_in disabled), the computer still boots Windows. What should I do? Thank you for your response!

10 answers

  1.
    brucine Posted messages 25301 Registration date   Status Member Last intervention   4 195
     

    Hello,

    Just because the BIOS allows booting from a USB key doesn’t mean the PC will boot from it.

    Depending on the model, there is a boot manager function key that lets you display all peripherals at startup and choose the one you want; otherwise you must move the USB key to the top of the list in the BIOS so that boot occurs from it before the hard drive.

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    1. p_hilippe_42 Posted messages 26 Registration date   Status Member Last intervention   1
       

      Thank you for your answer! But you need to be an administrator to change the boot order (password). On my computer, this option is "not installed"

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  2. jns55
     

    Hello,

    Acer computers require a BIOS configuration to be able to display the Boot Menu.

    In the BIOS go to the Main.

    Check that the F12 Boot Menu option is set to Enabled.

    Once this is done, press F10, the PC restarts (the Ubuntu USB stick should be connected to the PC). At the very start of the boot sequence, tap the F12 key until the Boot Menu appears. Normally the name of your USB stick should appear. Select it with the arrow keys and press Enter.


    If the USB stick still does not appear, you need to disable the Secure Boot which is also a hidden option. Return to the BIOS and open the Security tab and create a supervisor password (Set Supervisor Password) then go to the Boot tab and set the option Secure Boot to Disabled


    Normally this last step should not be necessary with Ubuntu or its derivatives which have a signature recognized by Secure Boot.

    If it still doesn’t work, it’s because your USB stick is not bootable.

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    1. p_hilippe_42 Posted messages 26 Registration date   Status Member Last intervention   1
       

      Thank you very much for your response; I tried to disable secure boot, but in the "security" tab it tells me "if the set user password option is hidden, do power cycle to enable option again". I don't know what "power cycle" means (sigh!). How to do it? PS "HDD master Pwd status not installed"

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    2. p_hilippe_42 Posted messages 26 Registration date   Status Member Last intervention   1
       

      PS: F12 gave me access to the boot menu, but Ubuntu on my USB drive is recognized as "invalid signature". If I understand correctly, I need to be an "admin" with a password...

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    3. jns55 > p_hilippe_42 Posted messages 26 Registration date   Status Member Last intervention  
       

      You must completely turn off the computer, unplug the charger if it is plugged in, and wait at least 30 seconds before replugging it in and turning the computer back on. The supervisor password option in the BIOS should now be visible. At that point, you create a temporary password to enable the "Secure Boot" option. It’s a bit complicated, I admit, but that’s how it is with Acer.

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    4. jns55 > p_hilippe_42 Posted messages 26 Registration date   Status Member Last intervention  
       

      Once the secure boot is disabled, it should work.

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    5. p_hilippe_42 Posted messages 26 Registration date   Status Member Last intervention   1 > jns55
       

      Thank you jns65, but the "secure boot" is enabled and I can't disable it. Would there be a command line to become admin??

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  3. p_hilippe_42 Posted messages 26 Registration date   Status Member Last intervention   1
     

    Thank you jns. In response to your advice today (11:36), I’m telling you again that I can’t disable the secure boot, nor create a supervisor password, even after 12 hours of unplugging the computer. Lines of code?

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    1. p_hilippe_42 Posted messages 26 Registration date   Status Member Last intervention   1
       

      The HDD user and Master password statuses are "not installed"

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    2. jns55
       

      Perhaps it’s due to Windows fast startup, which means the PC isn’t truly shut down.

      1 - Disable Windows fast startup, as when it’s enabled it locks the BIOS security chip. To do this, go to the Control Panel / Power Options. Click on "Choose what the power button does" then on "Change settings that are currently unavailable" and uncheck "Turn on fast startup".

      2 - Shut down the PC and then power it back on with F2 and see if the Supervisor Password option is now enabled.

      If it is, enter a very simple password like 1234 twice in a row.

      After that the Secure Boot option should be enabled. (restart if needed)

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  4. p_hilippe_42 Posted messages 26 Registration date   Status Member Last intervention   1
     

    Thank you jns! DoubleV forced me to log in, and now it’s forcing me to create my DoubleV account, with my email address being sent, which will allow them to send me a link. I don’t like all of that very much (that’s why I want L!). Do you have any suggestions?

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    1. jns55
       
      What is this DoubleV?
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  6. p_hilippe_42 Posted messages 26 Registration date   Status Member Last intervention   1
     

    windows

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    1. jns55
       

      Hello,

      Are you saying that you were forced to create a Microsoft account?

      To disable Fast Startup you don’t need a Microsoft account.

      Nor do you need one to disable Secure Boot.

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      1. jns55 > jns55
         

        Until you disable Secure Boot, you won’t be able to boot from a USB key. It’s Acer increasing the security of its PCs by restricting BIOS options. To prevent a malicious person from disabling Secure Boot to boot from a USB key and steal data, Acer requires a password at the BIOS entry. In this way, only the person who knows the password will be able to do it.

        The problem is that famous power cycle. Unplugging the PC from the mains isn’t enough with a laptop because the battery keeps the BIOS security chip powered.

        Look at the sides of the PC or on the back for a small hole to insert a paperclip and reset the BIOS.

        Try to access the BIOS from Windows; sometimes this gives superuser privileges that you don’t have by using the F2 key.

        To do this, keep the Shift key pressed and click Restart from your Windows Start menu.

        The PC will restart to a blue screen. Go to Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Change firmware settings (Change UEFI Firmware Settings).

        Click Restart to enter the BIOS. See if the option Set Supervisor Password is finally enabled.

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  7. berdidi Posted messages 138 Registration date   Status Member Last intervention   31
     

    Hello everyone. Sorry for the intrusion, but I have a small question. How was this key created, is it "bootable"

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  8. p_hilippe_42 Posted messages 26 Registration date   Status Member Last intervention   1
     

    to jns "Do you mean you were forced to create a Microsoft account?" - Actually no! I did not create it. But "they" of course give no other option. As a result, impossible to access the control panel, and to disable fast startup, as you advised me.

    to bendidi:I'm not there yet, but probably yes, since I already used it.

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  9. p_hilippe_42 Posted messages 26 Registration date   Status Member Last intervention   1
     

    in jns comment from 27,12.41

    >Look on the sides of the PC or on the back panel if there isn't a small >hole to insert a paperclip and reset the BIOS.

    I found a small hole, with next to it the image of a battery, I suppose it has something to do with the power... I pressed a pin for 10 seconds. After that, I started on F2; after a minute the computer turned off, UEFI settings, which force a reboot. I did not find "supervisor"

    >Try accessing the BIOS from Windows, sometimes that gives >super user privileges you don't have by going through the F2 key.

    OK, but then you have to configure a Microsoft account, and "they" send to my email a confirmation link, which is a problem: do you have an opinion about this link sent by Ms, what are the risks, even if later you overwrite Windows by installing Linux (maybe I'm paranoid ;-)

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    1. jns55
       

      This hole allows you to temporarily disconnect the internal battery. Keep the pin pressed for at least 5 seconds, then leave the PC as is for about fifteen minutes before reconnecting the charger and accessing the BIOS with F2. This might be the famous power cycle.

      Do you mean that the Set Supervisor Password parameter is no longer present in the BIOS Security tab, or that it is still grayed out?

      Reset the BIOS defaults and see if there is any change in the Security tab.

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  10. p_hilippe_42 Posted messages 26 Registration date   Status Member Last intervention   1
     

    from Windows, I went into the BIOS following your advice.

    I did all that, I also disabled fast startup in Windows, but I still don’t have a "supervisor passwd".

    However, in the BIOS, Security tab, I have 2 active items:

    - HDD security configuration, which when I press Enter, tells me that the HDD user and master statuses are not set, and I can’t modify anything

    Access level: administrator is not modifiable

    - secure boot: enabled non-modifiable

    In the Boot tab, I have:

    - Fixed boot order#1 USB#2 Hard disk#3 Windows Boot Manager

    - Boot option priorities: Windows Boot Manager which I can disable

    The problem is therefore this secure boot

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    1. jns55
       

      Hello,

      Yes, the problem is Secure Boot, and to disable it you absolutely need to set a password in the BIOS.

      I just found this for Acer Lites (which are particularly stubborn):

      It is a key combination to activate hidden options.

      Go to the Main tab in the BIOS.

      Press Ctrl + S simultaneously and see if new lines appear at the bottom of the list.

      If so, go back to the Security tab and check if the Set Supervisor Password option finally becomes accessible.

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  11. p_hilippe_42 Posted messages 26 Registration date   Status Member Last intervention   1
     

    as of 28/08 9:59

    Hi there! Great! The "control S" trick worked, not in the main tab, but in security, and I was able to create a password that allowed me to "disable" security boot! Then "save and exit". The computer restarts into Windows, which asks for the administrator password and opens on the Windows desktop where the Windows password no longer works...

    In short, since I set the USB key as #1, it seems I only have to insert my USB key, and it should boot from it, but I’m a naturally cautious person ;-)). Do you see other precautions? (in the BIOS, they talk about platform changes, which greatly escapes me ;-))

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    1. jns55
       

      Finally! about time too.

      If I understand correctly, you plan to remove Windows, so you don’t care.

      Go through the boot menu: restart the PC by tapping the F12 key and choose the entry corresponding to your USB key in the list that appears. It will be simpler than changing the boot order in the BIOS.

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      1. p_hilippe_42 Posted messages 26 Registration date   Status Member Last intervention   1 > jns55
         

        The trick you showed me to enable other BIOS functions worked indeed! ;-) After that, it’s smooth sailing! The USB key is recognized (enabled), the bootW is disabled, and here we go!

        It wasn’t obvious to me at all, and I sincerely thank you very much.

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      2. jns55 > p_hilippe_42 Posted messages 26 Registration date   Status Member Last intervention  
         

        Very glad for you that it’s working now.

        I've rarely seen a PC this stubborn. I notice that Microsoft is trying to improve Windows security, but without full-disk encryption, all they've done is not much use: you just have to remove the disk from the PC, connect it via USB to another PC, and you can recover any data you want.

        It's just a little less leak-prone than before...

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