View original (French)

Unable to install and then use Linux

DivaInCompSci -  
It seems you’re trying to install Linux on a Dell Latitude 5500 and facing multiple boot/partitioning issues. Here are concise troubleshooting steps you can try in sequence:

1) BIOS settings
- Update BIOS if a newer version is available from Dell (use an updated system with a running OS or DOS utility). If updates fail, ensure the BIOS reset to defaults.
- Enable/disable Secure Boot as appropriate. Try both with Secure Boot OFF and ON.
- Enable Legacy Boot or CSM if available, and set SATA mode to AHCI (not RAID).
- Disable Fast Boot.

2) Prepare USB correctly
- Use a reliable tool (Rufus on Windows or Etcher on Linux) to create the USB installer, with GPT partition scheme for UEFI or MBR for BIOS-compat mode depending on your setting.
- Verify the USB integrity with a checksum if provided by the ISO.

3) Boot options
- In the boot menu, select the USB with UEFI: USB-HDD or similar. If you see a dark screen, try adding nomodeset to the kernel parameters (you can edit the boot entry at GRUB/UEFI).

4) Partitioning plan
- Boot a live session and use a robust installer that can handle resizing:
- Create a separate EFI System Partition (ESP) of 100-300 MB if not present, formatted as FAT32, with a mount point /boot/efi.
- Leave the Windows/other OS space unformatted for now; create a root (/) and swap as needed:
- For a 300 GB root, you can allocate 50-100 GB for root, 4-8 GB for swap (or 8-16 GB depending on RAM), and use the remaining space for home (optional).
- Ensure the installer is set to use “Something else” or manual partitioning to control sizes.

5) Try a distro with good hardware support for Dell
- Ubuntu LTS or Linux Mint (Cinnamon) generally work well on Dell laptops. If Mint fails to boot, try Ubuntu Server live or Lubuntu/Xubuntu as lighter options.
- Fedora can be trickier on older hardware; if you want to retry, use a minimal image and ensure nomodeset.

6) Firm boot sequence if boot hangs
- If you see a dark/blue screen, try:
- nomodeset
- acpi=off or noapic (as a last resort; may cause other issues)
- pci=noacpi

7) If installation completes but you cannot boot
- Use the installer’s option to install the bootloader to the correct disk (the internal HDD/SSD) and ensure the system uses the same boot mode (UEFI vs BIOS) as the installation.
- In some cases, you may need to disable Fast Boot and re-enable Secure Boot after installation.

8) Dell Latitude 5500 specifics
- This model can be picky with graphics/GPU switching (Intel + NVIDIA). If it has NVIDIA Optimus, consider using Nvidia driver installation from the distro and setting PRIME profiles accordingly after first boot.
- Ensure the SATA/DATA drive health is okay (check SMART data) in case of read/write issues.

9) Alternative approach
- Install Linux on a separate internal drive if available; if not, consider using a high-quality USB 3.0 external drive for Linux testing and installation.

If you want, tell me which exact steps you attempted for a particular distro (e.g., Ubuntu 24.04 live boot hung at initial screen, or Mint hangs after install) and any error messages you saw. I can tailor step-by-step commands for the specific case.

7 answers

  1.  Winux01

    Hello,

    You can no longer install any OS? Have you learned to manually partition Linux distributions like Mint, Ubuntu, Fedora & Co?

    EFI; Root; Home; Swap, does that ring a bell?

    1. DivaInCompSci Author

      When I partitioned (under Winux) I had correctly set the mount point to /home for the new partition I had created. I also know the other terms EFI, root, and swap. But in any case after installing Peppermint it reset the partitions... Otherwise I learned on the fly, so I have no experience with manual partitioning at all.

      1.  Winux01

        In that case, you need to wipe the hard drive during installation, and the partitioning will be done automatically.

        For manual partitioning, I learned on the job with YouTube videos to start, years ago, it’s within reach of anyone who has rigor in computing.

        Question though: when you install an OS, do you always have a functional spare computer to use to remake bootable USB drives or hardware modifications for the targeted computer—is that your case?

        EDIT:

        You don’t really answer my question, the only thing I’ve noted is your confusion about partitioning, I’m not talking about what you think exactly.

        1. DivaInCompSci Author

          I do have another computer. The problem is precisely that I can’t install another distribution, I can’t even boot the distribution in USB Live. Otherwise I understood that reinstalling would reset the partitions, which was exactly my goal with Fedora and then Mint Cinnamon.

          2.  Winux01

            The term "reset" isn't the best word to use to define this action.

            Linux is not Windows, you can delete partitions and reassign, recreate them from scratch as you wish, without using tools like EasyBCD beforehand.

            Is your USB drive defective? Have you tried other USB ports?

            If you can't boot, you're stuck, you can't do anything more; you should try MBR/Legacy

            and GPT/UEFI when creating and using a bootable USB with the correct BIOS type, either UEFI, or Legacy (classic BIOS).

            1. jns55

              Hello,

              By modifying your partitions from a live-USB, you changed the UUIDs of these partitions. The UUID is a unique identifier that allows a partition to be recognized. Because of this, the system no longer boots because it can’t find them. This can be repaired by manually correcting the /etc/fstab file from the live-USB with the correct UUIDs. If you don’t know much about this, it might be a bit tricky for you. In that case, it’s better to reinstall completely and let the installer manage the partitions.

              If you want a different partitioning scheme, you need to do it before or during installation; after installation it’s guaranteed to break the system.

              If your live-USB won’t boot, disable secure-boot in the BIOS.

              1. DivaInCompSci Author

                Okay very well I understand we must modify the diagram/schema before installation. The problem is that I can’t even boot a Linux distribution in USB Live anymore.

                1. jns55

                  It is most likely a graphics card driver issue (probably an Nvidia graphics card).

                  Since Mint is installed, we will try to repair it; there is no point in changing distro, it will be the same with others.

                  During startup, press the Escape key to bring up the grub menu.

                  Select the line Advanced options for Linux Mint and press Enter.

                  Then choose the line recovery mode or recovery mode.

                  Then choose the option Resume: the boot should continue in degraded graphical mode but sufficient to reach the session.

                  Once in the session, connect to the internet and open the driver manager. Let it scan the hardware and select the recommended driver.

                  Apply the change and restart the PC.