I'm trying to install Linux on a newer Lenovo ThinkPad X1, probably a Gen 13, but the BIOS and boot menus look different from the guides I've found. I can open the BIOS and boot menu, but there are several USB-related options, and selecting them all still boots straight into Windows. I already have a Linux installer USB and mainly need to configure the system so it will start from the USB. Any advice on the correct boot method or settings would be appreciated.
3 Answers
Try pressing F12 repeatedly as soon as you power on to open Lenovo’s one-time boot menu, then select the USB drive itself. You normally don’t need to change a bunch of BIOS settings. Also make sure the USB was created as a bootable installer, not just copied with the ISO file dragged onto it.
The exact ThinkPad X1 generation and Linux distribution matter here. Many current distributions support UEFI and Secure Boot, so disabling Secure Boot is not always necessary. Fedora, for example, can usually boot with it enabled. If your chosen distribution doesn’t support Secure Boot, temporarily disable it in the Security settings, save the changes, and try the F12 boot menu again.
I believe it’s an X1 Gen 13, and I’m still figuring out which USB entry is the actual installer. I didn’t realize UEFI was the newer boot mode.
If the USB never appears as a usable boot option or every choice returns to Windows, recreate it with a proper imaging tool and verify the download. Use the distribution’s recommended tool, or an application such as Rufus or Fedora Media Writer, and choose a UEFI/GPT layout when that option is offered. After writing the USB, shut the laptop down completely and use F12 to select it. You shouldn’t need Legacy or Compatibility mode on a modern ThinkPad.
I can get into the boot menu, but there are several USB entries and none of them worked when I tried them. I’ll retry with F12 and recreate the installer if needed.