I'm trying to install AlmaLinux on a second-hand Dell Optiplex 3000 thin client, but I'm hitting a snag during the boot process. After successfully getting through the BIOS, the machine shows an initial splash screen, then enters 'headless mode,' followed by another splash screen that hangs for 10-20 minutes before restarting. I hear the machine doing something during this time, but it still responds to Ctrl + Alt + Del for a restart.
I've tested the installation media on my Windows machine and can access the installation menu, but I encounter a known issue where the media fails the integrity check at 4.8%. I've tried various approaches:
- Different AlmaLinux ISO files (both minimal and full) with validated checksums.
- Two separate 16GB USB drives using different ports on both machines.
- Tools like Rufus and BalenaEtcher on Windows.
- A command line method using DD on my Ubuntu server after cleaning the drives.
I wonder if there's a way to bypass the initial splash screen to see the installation progress or if there's anything else I can try. The only other thought I have is to zero the USB drive first with DD before writing the image again, but I'm open to other suggestions. Thanks in advance!
4 Answers
Regarding the media test failure at 4.8%, it’s not just a minor issue. If the media is corrupt, you’ll want to resolve that before other troubleshooting. Trying to install from corrupted media can lead to various unpredictable problems, so it’s better to address that first.
Be sure to check if the SSD is securely connected. As a last resort, you might consider trying an older version of AlmaLinux or even a different Linux distribution entirely to see if you can narrow down where the issue is coming from—possibly the USB or even the BIOS settings.
Thanks for the tip! The SSD should be fine, but I’ll double-check it. If the DD zeros method doesn’t work, I’m open to trying a different distro.
First off, make sure you set the USB drive as the primary boot option in the BIOS. You mentioned two options in the boot menu: the USB drive and something called 'Merlin'—just double-check that the USB is definitely the default. Also, accessing the one-time boot screen with F12 should help you ensure you're booting from the USB.
I think I have the boot settings sorted, but I'll recheck just in case. The one-time boot menu seems to work, so I'm good there.
You might want to check out some installation tips available on our wiki. A lot of users have success installing over an ethernet cable, and just remember to remove the boot media after installation to avoid boot loops!
Yeah, I'm hesitant to bypass the media test, but the splash screen's been a roadblock for me. I just want to see if there's something else happening during boot.