Can't boot an old PC on either debian or Ubuntu

miyoku157

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Hi,
I have currently a old computer. (Didn't use for several year, and now i'm trying to set it up back for some daily task). Here is the problem, the debian which was already on it fail to boot and when i try to boot on a USB stick ubuntu. It fails too. I've experience with linux but i must say I have no idea how to deal with that.
I've still try some things before asking:
  • Disable the fast boot
  • enable UEFI priority in BIOS
Still during the boot, plenty of error happens and i can't even access a cmd.
Here is a pic of my bios for information about it:
bios.jpg


Here are the error i'm talking about
boot2.jpg
boot3.jpg

Do you know where the problem could come from?
 

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What is the video card in the machine? How much ram?
Looking Closer at the screen shots I see NVIDIA graphic. and I would suspect that to be the problem But I can not make out which card it is. Some older card will simply not work any longer as nvidia has dropped support for them.
 
Last edited:
I can't see any information on what CPU is installed , the 8gb ram is more than ample,[What is the Make and model number of the machine ?]

Have you tried running any distribution in "Live" [test mode]?

so to start with is my generic list

Why Linux fails to load/install direct to HDD, common reasons

1] Corrupt download [check SHA sum]
2] bad burn to installation medium [try again] [if you used Rufus then try Balena Etcher]
3] Wind 8.2 and higher quick start/fast boot or secure boot not disabled [doesn't normally apply to older versions]
4] defective pen-drive/DVD
5] hardware fault,
5A] If old style HDD run integrity check
5B]if SATA SSD check for hidden partition at the beginning of drive [this will stop Grub from loading] and delete it before re-installing Linux
If M2.NVMe check, your system is NVMe compatible [not all older kit is]
 
Ensure nvidia-dkms nvidia-utils nvidia-settings are installed if you indeed have nvidia GPU.

I'd also disable secure boot in the bios just to see if that changes anything. It's not always necessary (Debian/Ubuntu should support secure boot, but it's worth trying).

Also make sure your login manager is actually enabled

sudo systemctl enable sddm
or
sudo systemctl enable lightdm
 
Go into your bios and make sure your 1st boot is the device which you are wanting to boot from such as the usb drive you created.

How did you create the usb which you are wanting to boot from.

Etcher is usually the best usb media creation software to use based on my experience.


What is the model of your computer.

If it's a desktop open the side cover and post the motherboard model number.
 
Hi,
I have currently a old computer. (Didn't use for several year, and now i'm trying to set it up back for some daily task). Here is the problem, the debian which was already on it fail to boot and when i try to boot on a USB stick ubuntu. It fails too. I've experience with linux but i must say I have no idea how to deal with that.
I've still try some things before asking:
  • Disable the fast boot
  • enable UEFI priority in BIOS
Still during the boot, plenty of error happens and i can't even access a cmd.
Here is a pic of my bios for information about it:
View attachment 22386

Here are the error i'm talking about
View attachment 22388View attachment 22389
Do you know where the problem could come from?
I can see English is not you first language so I am not being flip. I legitimately am not sure I'm understanding. And I can see some others are not either. Maybe edit your first post.

So I'll start by asking what you mean:

Option A:
When I start my PC, it boots into GRUB. Then it starts Linux but fails.
When I try booting with an Ubuntu USB live image, the same thing happens.

Option B:
When I start my PC, it boots into GRUB. Then it starts Linux but fails.
When I try booting with an Ubuntu USB, it will not start the live image. I cannot boot my USB. I can only boot my HDD.

Remediation:

Option A: I'd say it's a little tricky. Try a non-systemd distro like AntiX Linux -- my personal go-to as a rescue disk and portable desktop. Download the Full ISO. Take it from there.

In Option B: Then it's straightforward.
Make sure your USB port works (try the USB stick in other ports)
Get a boot device menu (F8, I believe for ASUS)
Is your USB drive in the boot menu?
  • No: then set to Legacy Boot, disable Secure boot ... basically what everyone has said.
  • Yes: then just select to boot it, the issue was boot priority and it should boot fine.
Let everyone know once you are booted into your USB live session and take it from there. Make sure to mention what exact distro (that means the version number as well) you are using, too. If it fails, please be descriptive about when it failed, how, etc.


PS: Welcome to Linux.org
 
G'day miyoku, Welcome to Linux.org


I have currently a old computer.
What exactly do you mean by "old" ?....Make and Model Number will help here

Did you disable Secure Boot ?...(it may not be necessary, depending on age of PC
 
@Condobloke: He means "old" the way modern users mean old: not fresh out the $2000 USD shopping cart... It's clearly from 2016. I can tell as BIOS is UEFI, it's got 8GB RAM at 2133Mhz which is the DDR4 standard, but his CPU is 2.7GHz.

...Actually I just looked for the copyright in his photos, but for I moment, I did seem really intelligent.
 
It's clearly from 2016
Not so 'clear' to these aged eyes.

Windows 8.1
Wind 8.2 and higher quick start/fast boot or secure boot not disabled (thanks, @Brickwizard
It clearly, then, falls into this category, and my advice remains.......go back to bios and take a gander. (have a look)
 

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