ACER: No Bootable Device

[wutsinterweb]

Ok, Mint Cinnamon INSTALLED once again. BIOS set based on this link:

https://itsfoss.com/no-bootable-device-found-ubuntu/

but of those three listed files, only the grub one appears and another. I've tried using either, and both work, the other one I don't have the name at the moment, I'll post later if I can, but was an EFI file IIRC.

Boot is slower, in fact, takes a long time now, but it's set for UEFI with secure boot OFF.

I'd like to ask what measures I should take to make this system locked down for the user who has a bad history of looking at adult content (we are trying to curb this).

So far, I think I need to turn on the firewall, set up firejail, modify the hosts file, install ghostery and ad blocker, but what else can I do? I figure I'll make a backup with Aptik also, for the day when I have to restore it. The user will not (hopefully) use a root/admin account, I created a non admin account, and there is a guest account, but I don't know how to make a guest account for him, is there a way to do that?

The idea is to "child proof" this system for this older man since he keeps messing up Windows installs on it and catches all sorts of malware. I know there is no substitute for safe hex, but until we can lock him in a chair, whatever due diligence I take is appreciated by the son who came to me to do this.

[Spearmint2]

See if it will boot with Secure Boot turned on. Some motherboards go to Legacy boot with Secure Boot off, some don't.

[wutsinterweb]

Ah, will try now, let me see.

[wutsinterweb]

What the... It was already on, and I KNOW i turned it off for the install. Secure boot was already on.

[fabien85]

One workaround / protection for future is to copy the linux bootloader at the fallback location (EFI/BOOT/bootx64.efi). This way, even if the battery goes dead and the computer forgets its NVRAM, it should go to that fallback bootloader.

How to do it :
- make the normal linux install as you wish. Once finished, boot it and log in as a user with administrative rights.
- open a terminal and issue the following commands

Code: Select all

sudo cp -r /boot/efi/EFI/ubuntu /boot/efi/EFI/BOOT
sudo mv /boot/efi/EFI/BOOT/shimx64.efi /boot/efi/EFI/BOOT/bootx64.efi

[wutsinterweb]

I can't do that now? I still have the computer.

When I went into the UEFI and tried that link there was no shim file that appeared as a choice. Is Shim not in the current Mint Cinnamon?

[wutsinterweb]

Indeed, no such directory/file it says.

[wutsinterweb]

Update.

I returned the computer to the owners, I'll wait and see how long this takes until another problem.

The was a complaint about passwords being needed, I explained that it's the key to him not getting infected. Even somewhat smart people don't seem to understand security.