Hey there! I'm trying to install Ubuntu on my older PC with a Gigabyte Q77M-D2H motherboard. Currently, my BIOS is set to Legacy mode, but it just won't recognize my USB drive as a bootable option. Here's what I've already attempted: I've created the USB drive using several tools like Rufus, Ventoy, balenaEtcher, and even the Windows Media Creation Tool (just for testing, I'm not attempting to install Windows). I've also changed various BIOS settings, tried multiple USB ports, and even tested the USB on an older laptop where it worked fine. This PC came pre-assembled with Windows, so I've never booted from a USB on it before. Does anyone have any suggestions on what I could try to resolve this? Thanks a bunch!
3 Answers
It might be an issue with the BIOS or the USB drive itself. Try using a different USB drive to see if your system can detect any USB device in the boot menu. The BIOS doesn't specifically check for bootable drives; it just lists what it finds based on your settings. If a backup USB doesn't show up, then it's likely a BIOS configuration issue. Resetting the BIOS to factory settings could help; the previous owner may have modified some obscure settings that you're missing.
Check if your USB ports are functioning properly or if they're disabled in the BIOS. Have you tried using a USB 2.0 port instead? Some older motherboards can have issues booting from USB 3.0 ports. Another option is to install Linux on another computer and then connect the HDD or SSD to this machine.
Make sure to plug the USB into the ports at the back of the PC and connect it before turning the computer on. Also, avoid using the blue USB ports if you have them available. Older Gigabyte boards often label the USB drive as a hard disk. You might also want to hit F12 repeatedly during boot-up to access the boot menu. If you're still having issues, consider rewriting the USB with Rufus and changing the partition scheme to MBR for compatibility with both UEFI and Legacy BIOS. If Ubuntu continues to pose challenges, other Linux distros could work as alternatives.
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