lost any/all boot capability...?

[jaybee]

we tried to change from linux mint to ubuntu last month...
mint was refusing to update, so we thought changing the distro to ubuntu might work ok...
(fwiw, was using a usb boot disk = ubuntu-18.04.1-desktop-amd64.iso)
something happened and now we cannot boot anything, anyway, anyhow...
= we are stuck in some perverse loop of some black hole...?
listed below are some of the specifics = if anyone can offer advice...

Asus E402NA-GA185T
manufactured date Feb 2018
purchased: June 2018

removed Windows OS replaced with Linux Mint using USB
1st installation ~ ~ no Update Manager
reinstalled ~~ no administration authorization

Attempted installation of ubuntu, using same process as earlier 2 times. Computer loaded Bios, showing ubuntu/linus in #1 priority. Moved USB into #1 priority...ubuntu disappeared.

Problem: trapped in an Aptio Setup screen (BIOS version 309) loop

Attempted solutions:

• F keys 8 default, 9 boot, 7 advanced setting ,as well as, 12 and 2 recommended on Internet -- prior, and during booting up. No change returns to Bios.
• Holding the shift to find the GNU Grub (recovery kernel) – prior, and during booting up. No recovery menu returns to Bios
• By repeated tapping of esc “please select a boot drive window” appears. Choices are: UEFI ADATA USB Flash Drive 1.00, partition 1 (UEFI KingstonDataTraveler 2.0Map Partition 1) OR enter set up. Both options returns to BIOS
• Installing GNU Grub. USB blinking. No change.
• Install Boot-Repair. USB blinking, No change

All attempts at changes have been made with the fast boot and secure boot both on and off.

BIOS PAGE

• The USB Ports appear empty (except twice)
• Continual pressing of F9 (Asus recovery) at boot up returns to BIOS
  

On the Easy Mode Boot Priority the UBS is designated:

Grub UEFI kingstonDataTraveler 2.0Map Partition 1

or

Linux / ubuntu UEFI ADATA USB Flash Drive 1.00, partition 1

No other system is noted, however the original Linux was never removed.


In Advance Settings

UEFI ADATA USB Flash Drive 1.00, partition 1

Asus EZ Flash Utility

fs0:/ [14784mb] 6/16/2018 <DIR> Linux Mint

<DIR> .disk

<DIR> EFI

<DIR> MDSSUMS

<DIR> README. Diskdefines

<DIR> boot

<DIR> casper

<DIR> dists

<DIR> isolinux

<DIR> pool

Each one of these has a sub menu...however clicking thing in either menu results in “do you want to read this file” yes USB blinking “selected file is not a UEFI BIOS


UEFI KingstonDataTraveler 2.0Map Partition 1

fs0:\ [98mb]

storage devices 9/30/2018 742391808 boot-repair-disk-64bit.iso

Clicking upon “do you want to read this file” yes USB blinking “selected file is not a UEFI BIOS”

fs0:\ [510mb] date <DIR> EFI

6/19/2018 <DIR> ubunto

9/16/2018 1133944 grubx64.efi

9/16/2018 126 grub.cfg

Clicking on either of the grubs results “do you want to read this file” yes USB blinking “selected file is not a UEFI BIOS!”

Clinking on ubuntu leads to the grubs

• There is no 'Launch CSM' in the Aptio setup utility
  
  
• USB works in other computers.

So, at present, we have a totally unbootable, unusable laptop...

 

[wizardfromoz]

G'day @jaybee

USB works in other computers.

I note you have been a Member since 8 October, so tell us a little more about those other computers, that this stick works in, and whether it was just that the stick works Live or that successful install/s was/were performed. Were they dualbooting with Windows &c. ?

Do you have a Windows recovery stick for the Asus?

Which versions of Windows on which Machines?

With the Aptio Setup Utility, can you reset to Factory Settings and see what happens?

In the Settings, is there a section for PTT (Platform Trust Technology) or maybe TPM (Trusted Platform Module)? If so, turn it off.

You don't need to hear that Asus can be a bugger with Linux, something to do with the way the motherboard is imprinted, I expect. But there is more than one way to skin a cat.

Cheers

Chris Turner
wizardfromoz

 

[jaybee]

thanks, chris...

we had two asus laptops - both had win10 installed...
we wanted linux in both, so we installed mint from a usb...
we deleted the windows dual boot after what seemed successful installations (no recovery stick)...

the first one had the issues with updates - we could not resolve it using all the tricks/methods we could find...
so we figured we would switch distros from linux to ubuntu in the first laptop and see if it helped (NOT)...
therein began the problems...

fwiw, the other laptop still has mint installed and seems to be doing ok - some broken packages notwithstanding...

OK --> i'll try to reset the aptio setup utility as suggested...