Install Linux Lite on Dell Laptop fails

[dleddy]

:'( I have tried to install Linux Lite from USB drive to Dell Inspiron 14-3542 (model number may be off) and it fails to restart /boot from the hard disk: 1) storage is eMMC ard; 2) boot is interuppted by this Dell SupportAssist message: It appears that there is difficulty in starting your system. Testing eMMC drive --[hangs].  I had previouslydisabled Windows Boot Manager in the bios.  Install seemed to complete without problem. Now running from the Live version on the USB drive. Any and all help will be appreciated -- Win 10 has augered in and no help from MS. Want to try Linux on this cheap laptop.

[torreydale]

Are you sure you disabled Secure Boot and/or UEFI?

[rokytnji]

In case you have not read this first

http://www.dell.com/support/article/us/e...pc?lang=en

[dleddy]

Torreydale:  Yes, boot is legacy, from usb(1st) or 'hard drive (2nd), secure is off.  boot w/o usb can't find bootable media; with usb, runs LinuxLite Live
rokytnji: Yes have read.

Also read the trouble shoting section LinuxLite Help Manual (post install :'(  ) which concludes that you can't install Linux Lite on system with system whose OS was installed as UEFI, and the OS is 64 bit Windows - sigh.  Need utility or other to rewrite entire boot partition as MBR and able to install a Linux distribution (that fits the 32GB 'drive').

[firenice03]

Couple questions and thoughts...


Are you wanting to dual boot?
- If so you need to flip between UEFI mode for Windows and Legacy for LL..
- If wiping Windows you don't have to go back to UEFI..


As mentioned Secureboot off, Legacy enable and Fast Boot turned off (from Windows) this hibernates your drive making install a pain..


If dual booting.. You should be installing to an empty partition..
- you may have have 2 or 3 for Windows already (C:, Recovery, maybe a reserved) within C or reserved one will also be the boot partition/boot manager.
What you need to remember is LL grub (boot manager) probably shouldn't reside on the same boot partition as Windows - its UEFI..


When installing LL are you installing "Along Side Windows" if so try "Something Else" and when you get to the part where to put the boot loader (device for boot loader installation) - choose the same partition as the LL install (none of the Windows)

This will keep the 2 (UEFI/BIOS) separated less problems when switching.. 


Additional info as well:
https://www.freecinema2022.gq/forums/tutor.../#msg29317

[rokytnji]

Starting to wonder if this Dell is one of those locked out laptops with the 32 bit bios on a 64 bit motherboard laptop. The lowend cheap laptops are built like this.

The net is full of these laptops that are Linux unfriendly when it comes to installing.

https://medium.com/@realzedgoat/a-sorta-...9b1d1961ec

https://software.intel.com/en-us/blogs/2...64-systems

https://www.linuxbabe.com/desktop-linux/...-uefi-bios

Like I said. I don't know. Just wondering.

[trinidad]

Before you start repartitioning things know that the Dell boot error is for the 32bit read/write memory. On many cheap 64bit boxes hitting the F1 key at that point bypasses that function and continues booting to grub if you're lucky. Also know that switching boot methods back and forth via the BIOS is an attempt to utilize a hybrid disk for dual booting with an MBR partition on a GUID disk. This can eventually lead to sector overwrites, misalignments, and segmentation faults with journaling file systems. Make sure you have fast boot disabled and post enabled in the BIOS as well, and the prompt for the F1 key may then show up.

TC

[TheDead]

[member=494]rokytnji[/member]
If there is one, can you provide the ServiceTag number from underneath the laptop or under battery?
It is usually clear and visible, no ultra-tiny caracters.

Cheers!

[rokytnji]

[member=494]rokytnji[/member]
If there is one, can you provide the ServiceTag number from underneath the laptop or under battery?
It is usually clear and visible, no ultra-tiny caracters.

Cheers!

It is not my laptop.
But the OP is free to check on your advice.

[dleddy]

To answer some of the questions:  Dual boot is NOT wanted, as Windows has already grown out of its 32G allocation and can no longer update (can't even load, and I expect it is gone - erased). 
The Service Tag is C7ZWD82
Answers on other forums (e.g.,  https://askubuntu.com/questions/879986/e...le_rich_qa) indicate there is a way, but there is adilemmea in trying to boot with UEFI on which leads to an error screen, and UEFI off / Legacy boot allowing access to USB drive -- seems you can't have both.