I recently purchased a new PC with an MSI motherboard, and I'm encountering several issues trying to install Linux. Initially, I attempted to install POP OS and then Omarchy, but the bootloader wouldn't recognize either. I even tried to manually add them, but they still didn't show up. Then I moved on to Linux Mint, which did appear in the bootloader, but it opened with a minimal GRUB prompt, and I couldn't locate the filesystem; it identified the partition as an unknown filesystem when I ran LS. After that, I switched to a different SSD, an NVMe model this time, and while the installation went through, I got stuck on the Linux Mint logo, with an error stating it couldn't read the SSD blocks. I'm really in need of a Linux distribution since I find coding on Windows uncomfortable. Can anyone provide advice or troubleshooting tips?
4 Answers
First, you might want to disable TPM and Secure Boot in your BIOS settings. Some motherboards, especially MSI ones, can have issues with Linux due to these features. Although there are reports that some MSI boards restrict the use of a shim for Secure Boot, it's worth a try. If Secure Boot is enabled, it can prevent Linux from booting properly for some users.
What exactly is TPM? I saw something labeled "fTPM 2.0" in the BIOS; is that what we're talking about?
What was the exact error message you got when it couldn't read the SSD blocks? Knowing that might help others assist you better.
Make sure you have a stable internet connection when you're installing. Also, remember to remove any boot media after installation. Having proper installation guidelines is crucial. You could check out some installation tips and tutorials available online, which might provide more insights into common issues with installations on MSI motherboards.
I've had issues with my MSI laptop trying to boot Linux. It always defaults to look for Windows, even when I don’t have it installed. I found I needed to press F11 at each boot to select the Linux option manually. Ensure that UEFI is set up properly and that settings like AHCI, TPM, Secure Boot, and Fast Boot are disabled if you're trying to boot Linux.
Just to clarify, TPM isn't usually the issue, it doesn’t need to be disabled for Linux installation.