I want to try Linux on an older Lenovo IdeaPad 110 with about 4 GB of RAM. When I try to open the boot manager or BIOS setup, the laptop simply restarts. I can reach the boot menu by removing the hard drive or using the Novo button, but selecting the boot manager does not work.
I created a Puppy Linux USB drive and verified that it works on another computer. However, when I try to boot the laptop without its hard drive, I receive "Verification failed (0x1A): Security Violation." I suspect Secure Boot may be involved, but I am not sure how to change the firmware settings when BIOS setup will not open.
Would it be safe to install Linux onto the laptop's hard drive by connecting the drive to another computer, or might the laptop fail to recognize it afterward? I am also considering Linux Mint or CachyOS and would appreciate suggestions for a beginner-friendly distribution that can handle general use such as coding, music, and drawing.
3 Answers
Check the exact IdeaPad model number in Lenovo’s documentation to find the correct BIOS key or Novo-button procedure. The boot menu and BIOS setup are separate menus, and some laptops also have a firmware password configured. Installing Linux onto the drive from another computer is not the best first choice because the installation may use hardware-specific boot settings; it is safer to install with the drive inside the laptop.
That security violation usually means Secure Boot is enabled. Enter the laptop’s firmware settings, disable Secure Boot, and then try booting the USB again. Linux Mint is likely a more beginner-friendly starting point than Puppy Linux.
If you can access the Novo menu, look for an option that opens BIOS or firmware setup rather than only the temporary boot menu. Once inside, set the USB drive as the first boot option and the internal drive second. Then reinstall the hard drive and boot from the USB installer.
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