I'm trying to install Ormachy on an older ThinkPad T440. I first used the provided installation image, then tried installing it manually with a script from an Arch-based setup, but both attempts ended the same way: I see the Ormachy logo and then the display goes completely black. Ctrl+Alt+F1 through F12 doesn't open a TTY either. Secure Boot and TPM are already disabled, and I'm new to Linux. Is there a BIOS setting or compatibility issue I should check to get Ormachy running on this laptop?
2 Answers
Check the remaining BIOS storage setting. The drive controller should be set to SATA/AHCI mode rather than Intel RST or another proprietary mode. Secure Boot and TPM being disabled is good, but the controller setting can still prevent a Linux-based system from starting correctly.
If Ormachy continues to show a black screen, the issue may be compatibility with the laptop’s older graphics hardware or with the included Hyprland setup. You could try installing a regular Arch-based distribution first and then add Hyprland, or use a distribution such as CachyOS or EndeavourOS that offers a more conventional installation path.
A standard Arch-based installation completed successfully, so I may use that as a base and install a desktop environment separately.
I had already disabled Secure Boot and TPM, but I hadn’t changed the storage controller setting. I’ll check whether it’s using AHCI.