I have an SSD that works perfectly for all versions of Windows, but I've hit a wall trying to install Linux on it. Even after multiple attempts and cleaning the drive completely, it just won't boot Linux. I'm curious as to why this is the case. Shouldn't Linux be more flexible with hardware compatibility? If anyone has suggestions on tests I can perform to pinpoint the issue with my SSD, that would be great!
4 Answers
It's odd, but certain SSDs have quirks with specific OS installs. It could be a compatibility issue with your specific SSD model and Linux drivers. If nothing else works, checking the manufacturer's site for potential firmware updates might be worth a shot.
It sounds like your issue might stem from the BIOS settings. Make sure it’s not set to RAID or VMD mode; switching it to AHCI might help. Besides that, formatting your SSD properly is crucial. Given that it runs Windows without a hitch, it shouldn't be an inherently faulty drive.
Have you checked if secure boot is enabled in the BIOS? Some systems, especially HP devices, might restrict booting non-signed OSs. You may need to adjust that setting. Also, consider that if the drive’s partition is MBR, the Linux installer might not switch it to GPT automatically, which could cause issues.
Secure boot isn’t the issue here. I’ve tested my SSD with another computer and still no luck with Linux. I can confirm this SSD has some kind of problem.
I had a similar issue where a drive would only work with Linux after being used as a Windows drive. Sometimes, the drive's previous partition structure throws a wrench in things. Have you tried wiping it clean with a tool like diskpart from a Windows machine before reinstalling Linux? It could help reset it.
I’ve checked my BIOS and it only supports AHCI, no RAID options. It's frustrating because I've tried clean installs on other SSDs without problems.