Hey everyone! So, I came across a laptop while working as a trash collector, and I decided to revive it. I removed the old HDD and replaced it with an SSD. Now, I'm trying to install Linux on it using an external Seagate 2TB hard drive, since I don't have a functional desktop to use for direct installation. I created the installation media with Balena Etcher, but when I boot from it, I run into a problem where the Linux boot screen shows up, but nothing happens when I try to enter Linux. It just freezes on a blank screen. If I use compatibility mode, it attempts to boot but then gives me an error about CPU soft lock. I really want to get into Linux, but I'm feeling stuck. Any tips?
3 Answers
Check your BIOS settings—make sure secure boot is turned off. Some older laptops can be picky about what they will boot from. If you can’t find the secure boot option, look for any settings related to boot order and legacy support. Just making sure it’s set up right could help!
First, could you let us know which Linux distribution you’re trying to install? Also, your explanation is a bit vague—are you booting from a CD, USB, or something else? It’s important to make sure you have the correct installation media created. How did you set it up with Balena Etcher? That could be a key factor as well!
I’m going for Linux Mint and using an external hard drive. I downloaded it from the official site and wrote it to the drive with Balena Etcher. I did manage to boot into Linux through BIOS on another laptop, so I think it might be something with the old HP 2000 notebook itself.
When you boot Linux Mint from the external hard drive, it should work sort of like a live USB. Could you get any part of the Mint boot process to run successfully? You should ideally be able to try it out before you commit to installation. Let us know how far you get!
I checked, but I couldn’t find the option in the BIOS.