I'm trying to install Linux on my MSI GL65 laptop from 2020, but the USB ports are acting up and I can't use USB or CD/DVD drives for installation. Is there any alternative way to install Linux without needing to rely on these types of media?
2 Answers
You might want to consider trying a network installation. If your laptop can connect to a wired Ethernet, you can set up installation files directly from the internet. Just make sure to follow some guides specific to your Linux distribution for network installs.
Are you sure the USB is bootable? Sometimes it's just a matter of how it was created. If you can, try reformatting it and using a different method or tool to create the bootable USB.
I created mine using Balena Etcher on a MacBook, and it worked great! Ensure it's formatted correctly first; sometimes that can cause issues.
Good tip! You can also try using a bootable disk image that resides on your local hard drive if your BIOS allows for that. It's a bit less common but can work if you poke around in your BIOS settings.