LinuxMint 21 Installer doesn't detect that IdeaPad S205 supports BIOS mode only

[goetzkluge]

Booting old Lenovo IdeaPad S205 from USB-stick (LinuxMint 21 XFCE) yields the Grub menu for EFI mode, not the Isolinux menu for BIOS mode. Before the Grub menu is shown, the screen shortly displays "error: file '/boot/' not found." Does that mean that the installer fails to detect that the S205 only supports BIOS mode?

There seems to be a solution described for Linux Mint 18.2 in viewtopic.php?p=1379822#p1379822 (2014-09-15), but I don't understand it.

[pbear]

Are you able to boot to the live session desktop eventually? If so, please post your system information as seen by LM21.
Among other things, this will confirm the boot mode.

[goetzkluge]

Thank you for the reply.

Yes, I can rune a live session.

But in the meanwhile I found this: https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/Lenovo_IdeaPad_S205.
I was wrong. UEFI *is* supported. But the settings menu for UEFI seems to be hidden (https://www.bios-mods.com/forum/Thread- ... dden-menus).

Once I managed to install LinuxMint, then I'll report it here.

[goetzkluge]

The setup menu of the S205 is broken. Watever I change in the setting doesn't change the configuration.

As I am stuck with a laptop PC which once had been configured for BIOS boot, I used linuxmint-19.3-xfce-32bit.iso to install Linux Mint. That worked, as the 32bit version doesn't support UEFI.

For installing linuxmint-21-xfce-64bit.iso for legacy BIOS boot, I probably will have to use a bug free 64bit PC without UEFI (or with UEFI disabled) to install Linux Mint 21 64bit on the HD of the S205. For that exercise I will have to remove the HD from the S205, install Linux and put it back into the S205.

If I have time for that, I'll try that out.

[pbear]

For that exercise I will have to remove the HD from the S205, install Linux and put it back into the S205.

You're making this unnecessarily difficult. We can't help much, though, without the system information.

[goetzkluge]

For that exercise I will have to remove the HD from the S205, install Linux and put it back into the S205.

You're making this unnecessarily difficult. We can't help much, though, without the system information.

Sorry, I didn't make clear enough that I don't ask for support anymore, because of the device specific issues with my IdeaPad S205.

[goetzkluge]

This is just for information.
I don't want to waste the time of supporters with solving issues of a PC which has a bug (setup menu does not work properly), but perhaps this helps other users of the IdeaPad S205. Also is might be interesting, that at least the live linuxmint-21-xfce-64bit.iso runs well, whereas linuxmint-20.3-xfce-64bit.iso and linuxmint-19.3-xfce-64bit get stuck with a black screen.

(1) linuxmint-21-xfce-64bit.iso:
Boots in EFI-mode after displaying "error: file '/boot' not found."
Live system works. Install (option: clear HD and then install) can be executed, but bootloader cannot be written to HD.

(2) linuxmint-20.3-xfce-64bit.iso:
Black screen after displaying "error: file '/boot' not found.

(3) linuxmint-19.3-xfce-64bit.iso:
Black screen after displaying "error: file '/boot' not found.

(4) linuxmint-19.3-xfce-32bit.iso:
Boots in BIOS-mode.
Live system works. LM 19.3 32bit can be installed.


--- System Information ---
(1) Looking with LM 21 64bit live system (linuxmint-21-xfce-64bit.iso) at failed LM 21 installation, where bootloader could not be written to HD.

Code: Select all

System:
  Kernel: 5.15.0-41-generic x86_64 bits: 64 compiler: gcc v: 11.2.0 Desktop: Xfce 4.16.0
    tk: Gtk 3.24.23 wm: xfwm dm: LightDM Distro: Linux Mint 21 Vanessa base: Ubuntu 22.04 jammy
Machine:
  Type: Laptop System: LENOVO product: Brazos v: Ideapad S205 serial: <superuser required>
    Chassis: type: 10 serial: <superuser required>
  Mobo: LENOVO model: Inagua v: 109-B78210-00A serial: <superuser required> UEFI: LENOVO
    v: 4BCN24WW date: 08/10/2011
Battery:
  ID-1: BAT0 charge: 13.3 Wh (100.0%) condition: 13.3/38.9 Wh (34.3%) volts: 12.2 min: 10.8
    model: SANYO L09S6Y14 serial: <filter> status: Full
CPU:
  Info: dual core model: AMD E-300 APU with Radeon HD Graphics bits: 64 type: MCP arch: Bobcat
    rev: 0 cache: L1: 128 KiB L2: 1024 KiB
  Speed (MHz): avg: 780 high: 781 min/max: 780/1300 boost: disabled cores: 1: 781 2: 779
    bogomips: 5188
  Flags: ht lm nx pae sse sse2 sse3 sse4a ssse3 svm
Graphics:
  Device-1: AMD Wrestler [Radeon HD 6310] vendor: Lenovo driver: radeon v: kernel ports:
    active: LVDS-1 empty: HDMI-A-1,VGA-1 bus-ID: 00:01.0 chip-ID: 1002:9802
  Device-2: Chicony Lenovo EasyCamera type: USB driver: uvcvideo bus-ID: 2-3:3
    chip-ID: 04f2:b255
  Display: x11 server: X.Org v: 1.21.1.3 compositor: xfwm v: 4.16.1 driver: X:
    loaded: ati,radeon unloaded: fbdev,modesetting,vesa gpu: radeon display-ID: :0.0 screens: 1
  Screen-1: 0 s-res: 1366x768 s-dpi: 96
  Monitor-1: LVDS res: 1366x768 dpi: 136 diag: 294mm (11.6")
  OpenGL: renderer: AMD PALM (DRM 2.50.0 / 5.15.0-41-generic LLVM 13.0.1) v: 3.3 Mesa 22.0.1
    compat-v: 3.1 direct render: Yes
Audio:
  Device-1: AMD Wrestler HDMI Audio vendor: Lenovo driver: snd_hda_intel v: kernel bus-ID: 00:01.1
    chip-ID: 1002:1314
  Device-2: AMD SBx00 Azalia vendor: Lenovo driver: snd_hda_intel v: kernel bus-ID: 00:14.2
    chip-ID: 1002:4383
  Sound Server-1: ALSA v: k5.15.0-41-generic running: yes
  Sound Server-2: PulseAudio v: 15.99.1 running: yes
  Sound Server-3: PipeWire v: 0.3.48 running: yes
Network:
  Device-1: Realtek RTL810xE PCI Express Fast Ethernet vendor: Lenovo driver: r8169 v: kernel
    pcie: speed: 2.5 GT/s lanes: 1 port: 1000 bus-ID: 02:00.0 chip-ID: 10ec:8136
  IF: enp2s0 state: down mac: <filter>
  Device-2: Ralink RT3090 Wireless 802.11n 1T/1R PCIe vendor: Lenovo driver: rt2800pci v: 2.3.0
    pcie: speed: 2.5 GT/s lanes: 1 bus-ID: 03:00.0 chip-ID: 1814:3090
  IF: wlp3s0 state: up mac: <filter>
Bluetooth:
  Device-1: Foxconn / Hon Hai Broadcom Bluetooth 2.1 Device type: USB driver: btusb v: 0.8
    bus-ID: 3-5:2 chip-ID: 0489:e00d
  Report: hciconfig ID: hci0 rfk-id: 3 state: up address: <filter> bt-v: 2.0 lmp-v: 3.0
    sub-v: 4203
Drives:
  Local Storage: total: 1.17 TiB used: 374.67 GiB (31.4%)
  ID-1: /dev/sda vendor: Samsung model: SSD 750 EVO 250GB size: 232.89 GiB speed: 3.0 Gb/s
    serial: <filter>
  ID-2: /dev/sdb type: USB vendor: Intenso model: Alu Line size: 7.47 GiB speed: 3.0 Gb/s
    serial: <filter>
  ID-3: /dev/sdc type: USB vendor: Orico model: GV100-1T size: 953.87 GiB serial: <filter>
Partition:
  ID-1: / size: 1.72 GiB used: 131.9 MiB (7.5%) fs: overlay source: ERR-102
  ID-2: /var/log size: 5.06 GiB used: 1.8 MiB (0.0%) fs: ext4 dev: /dev/sdb3
Swap:
  Alert: No swap data was found.
USB:
  Hub-1: 1-0:1 info: Full speed or root hub ports: 5 rev: 2.0 speed: 480 Mb/s chip-ID: 1d6b:0002
  Device-1: 1-1:2 info: Alcor Micro Flash Drive type: Mass Storage driver: usb-storage rev: 2.0
    speed: 480 Mb/s chip-ID: 058f:6387
  Hub-2: 2-0:1 info: Full speed or root hub ports: 5 rev: 2.0 speed: 480 Mb/s chip-ID: 1d6b:0002
  Device-1: 2-1:5 info: JMicron / USA ORICO GV100-1T type: Mass Storage driver: uas rev: 2.1
    speed: 480 Mb/s chip-ID: 152d:0580
  Device-2: 2-3:3 info: Chicony Lenovo EasyCamera type: Video driver: uvcvideo rev: 2.0
    speed: 480 Mb/s chip-ID: 04f2:b255
  Device-3: 2-5:4 info: Realtek RTS5139 Card Reader Controller type: <vendor specific>
    driver: rtsx_usb,rtsx_usb_ms,rtsx_usb_sdmmc rev: 2.0 speed: 480 Mb/s chip-ID: 0bda:0139
  Hub-3: 3-0:1 info: Full speed or root hub ports: 5 rev: 1.1 speed: 12 Mb/s chip-ID: 1d6b:0001
  Device-1: 3-5:2 info: Foxconn / Hon Hai Broadcom Bluetooth 2.1 Device type: Bluetooth
    driver: btusb rev: 2.0 speed: 12 Mb/s chip-ID: 0489:e00d
  Hub-4: 4-0:1 info: Full speed or root hub ports: 5 rev: 1.1 speed: 12 Mb/s chip-ID: 1d6b:0001
  Device-1: 4-2:2 info: Logitech M105 Optical Mouse type: Mouse driver: hid-generic,usbhid
    rev: 2.0 speed: 1.5 Mb/s chip-ID: 046d:c077
Sensors:
  System Temperatures: cpu: 58.0 C mobo: 34.0 C gpu: radeon temp: 56.0 C
  Fan Speeds (RPM): N/A
Repos:
  Packages: apt: 2054
  Active apt repos in: /etc/apt/sources.list
    1: deb cdrom:[Linux Mint 21 _Vanessa_ - Release amd64 20220726]/ jammy main
  Active apt repos in: /etc/apt/sources.list.d/official-package-repositories.list
    1: deb http: //packages.linuxmint.com vanessa main upstream import backport
    2: deb http: //archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu jammy main restricted universe multiverse
    3: deb http: //archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu jammy-updates main restricted universe multiverse
    4: deb http: //archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu jammy-backports main restricted universe multiverse
    5: deb http: //security.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ jammy-security main restricted universe multiverse
Info:
  Processes: 181 Uptime: 7m Memory: 3.44 GiB used: 1.02 GiB (29.8%) Init: systemd v: 249
  runlevel: 5 Compilers: gcc: 11.2.0 alt: 11 Client: Unknown python3.10 client inxi: 3.3.13

(2) -

(3) -

(4) LM 19.3 32bit on HD
(successfully installed on HD with 4 previously prepared partitions using linuxmint-19.3-xfce-32bit.iso):

Code: Select all

System:    Host: IDPDS205 Kernel: 5.0.0-32-generic i686 bits: 32 compiler: gcc v: 7.4.0 
           Desktop: Xfce 4.14.1 tk: Gtk 3.22.30 wm: xfwm4 dm: LightDM 
           Distro: Linux Mint 19.3 Tricia base: Ubuntu 18.04 bionic 
Machine:   Type: Laptop System: LENOVO product: Brazos v: Ideapad S205 serial: <filter> Chassis: 
           type: 10 serial: <filter> 
           Mobo: LENOVO model: Inagua v: 109-B78210-00A serial: <filter> UEFI [Legacy]: LENOVO 
           v: 4BCN24WW date: 08/10/2011 
Battery:   ID-1: BAT0 charge: 13.3 Wh condition: 13.3/38.9 Wh (34%) volts: 12.2/10.8 
           model: SANYO L09S6Y14 serial: <filter> status: Full 
CPU:       Topology: Dual Core model: AMD E-300 APU with Radeon HD Graphics bits: 64 type: MCP 
           arch: Bobcat L2 cache: 512 KiB 
           flags: lm nx pae sse sse2 sse3 sse4a ssse3 svm bogomips: 5189 
           Speed: 1297 MHz min/max: 780/1300 MHz Core speeds (MHz): 1: 1297 2: 1214 
Graphics:  Device-1: AMD Wrestler [Radeon HD 6310] vendor: Lenovo driver: radeon v: kernel 
           bus ID: 00:01.0 chip ID: 1002:9802 
           Display: x11 server: X.Org 1.20.4 driver: ati,radeon unloaded: fbdev,modesetting,vesa 
           resolution: 1366x768~60Hz 
           OpenGL: renderer: AMD PALM (DRM 2.50.0 / 5.0.0-32-generic LLVM 10.0.0) 
           v: 3.3 Mesa 20.0.8 compat-v: 3.1 direct render: Yes 
Audio:     Device-1: AMD Wrestler HDMI Audio vendor: Lenovo driver: snd_hda_intel v: kernel 
           bus ID: 00:01.1 chip ID: 1002:1314 
           Device-2: AMD SBx00 Azalia vendor: Lenovo driver: snd_hda_intel v: kernel 
           bus ID: 00:14.2 chip ID: 1002:4383 
           Sound Server: ALSA v: k5.0.0-32-generic 
Network:   Device-1: Realtek RTL810xE PCI Express Fast Ethernet vendor: Lenovo driver: r8169 
           v: kernel port: 1000 bus ID: 02:00.0 chip ID: 10ec:8136 
           IF: enp2s0 state: down mac: <filter> 
           Device-2: Ralink RT3090 Wireless 802.11n 1T/1R PCIe vendor: Lenovo driver: rt2800pci 
           v: 2.3.0 port: 1000 bus ID: 03:00.0 chip ID: 1814:3090 
           IF: wlp3s0 state: up mac: <filter> 
Drives:    Local Storage: total: 232.89 GiB used: 6.41 GiB (2.8%) 
           ID-1: /dev/sda vendor: Samsung model: SSD 750 EVO 250GB size: 232.89 GiB 
           speed: 3.0 Gb/s serial: <filter> 
Partition: ID-1: / size: 15.58 GiB used: 6.25 GiB (40.1%) fs: ext4 dev: /dev/sda2 
           ID-2: /boot size: 974.7 MiB used: 159.2 MiB (16.3%) fs: ext4 dev: /dev/sda1 
           ID-3: /home size: 209.46 GiB used: 1.4 MiB (0.0%) fs: ext4 dev: /dev/sda3 
           ID-4: swap-1 size: 2.00 GiB used: 512 KiB (0.0%) fs: swap dev: /dev/sda4 
USB:       Hub: 1-0:1 info: Full speed (or root) Hub ports: 5 rev: 2.0 chip ID: 1d6b:0002 
           Hub: 2-0:1 info: Full speed (or root) Hub ports: 5 rev: 2.0 chip ID: 1d6b:0002 
           Device-1: 2-3:3 info: Chicony type: Video driver: uvcvideo rev: 2.0 chip ID: 04f2:b255 
           Device-2: 2-5:4 info: Realtek RTS5139 Card Reader Controller type: <vendor specific> 
           driver: rtsx_usb,rtsx_usb_ms,rtsx_usb_sdmmc rev: 2.0 chip ID: 0bda:0139 
           Hub: 3-0:1 info: Full speed (or root) Hub ports: 5 rev: 1.1 chip ID: 1d6b:0001 
           Device-3: 3-5:2 info: Foxconn / Hon Hai Broadcom Bluetooth 2.1 Device type: Bluetooth 
           driver: btusb rev: 2.0 chip ID: 0489:e00d 
           Hub: 4-0:1 info: Full speed (or root) Hub ports: 5 rev: 1.1 chip ID: 1d6b:0001 
           Device-4: 4-1:2 info: Logitech M105 Optical Mouse type: Mouse 
           driver: hid-generic,usbhid rev: 2.0 chip ID: 046d:c077 
Sensors:   System Temperatures: cpu: 61.1 C mobo: N/A gpu: radeon temp: 61 C 
           Fan Speeds (RPM): N/A 
Repos:     No active apt repos in: /etc/apt/sources.list 
           Active apt repos in: /etc/apt/sources.list.d/official-package-repositories.list 
           1: deb http: //packages.linuxmint.com tricia main upstream import backport
           2: deb http: //archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu bionic main restricted universe multiverse
           3: deb http: //archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu bionic-updates main restricted universe multiverse
           4: deb http: //archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu bionic-backports main restricted universe multiverse
           5: deb http: //security.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ bionic-security main restricted universe multiverse
           6: deb http: //archive.canonical.com/ubuntu/ bionic partner
Info:      Processes: 163 Uptime: 57m Memory: 3.47 GiB used: 519.5 MiB (14.6%) Init: systemd 
           v: 237 runlevel: 5 Compilers: gcc: 7.5.0 alt: 7 Client: Unknown python3.6 client 
           inxi: 3.0.32 

[pbear]

Thank you for posting the system information even though you've decided not to move forward with installation.
It contributes to our collective knowledge base, making it easier to help others.

As for your situation, I will make two observations. First, if you are under the impression LM21 won't install on a BIOS computer, that's not correct. There are a few issues, especially a couple of annoying bugs, but the installation can be put through and the system will boot. Second, that machine's BIOS is very old. If you can update it, that might solve your problem at a stroke. Has worked for a couple of users who had trouble with LM21, after having successfully run earlier versions on the same hardware. Or you can reasonably say, this soldier has done its duty, time to move on.

[ThaCrip]

I have a AMD E-300 processor (and I think it's the same AMD graphics to off the top of my head) on my backup computer (a HP2000 laptop), but that does regular BIOS or UEFI, which you select which mode before booting to USB stick through laptops boot menu.

if I were you I would try the 'something else' option when setting up Mint 21.0-Xfce. I suspect that might work as it's what I used on my backup desktop computer (which is basically high end 2005 tech, I had since March 2006 and the newest BIOS for it, which I got on it is a BETA BIOS from I think 2007) which is BIOS only boot as I had to set it just right otherwise the OS would not boot when I rebooted.

like if I recall correctly, as I just recently installed Mint 21.0-Xfce on my old desktop, I just did "EXT4" with the "/" using the whole drive and then put bootloader (manually guide it to it) on that same partition, which is different from how I usually set things up. otherwise when I rebooted, it would not boot and gave a error. so I suspect it's just about getting the process right for it to work.

p.s. I still have not gotten around to clean installing Mint 21-Xfce on my laptop (as it's still on Mint 20.3-Xfce) though.

[goetzkluge]

... As for your situation, I will make two observations.
First, if you are under the impression LM21 won't install on a BIOS computer, that's not correct. There are a few issues, especially a couple of annoying bugs, but the installation can be put through and the system will boot.
Second, that machine's BIOS is very old. If you can update it, that might solve your problem at a stroke. Has worked for a couple of users who had trouble with LM21, after having successfully run earlier versions on the same hardware. Or you can reasonably say, this soldier has done its duty, time to move on.

Thank you for the feedback.

I don't think that LM21 won't install on a BIOS computer. // As for the BIOS of my S205: It's not only old, but the setup menu doesn't work correctly. If it is a HW issue, updating the BIOS might cause more trouble. I don't know. So I rather don't touch it and install LM21 on the HD of the S205 using another BIOS-only computer.

[goetzkluge]

... like if I recall correctly, as I just recently installed Mint 21.0-Xfce on my old desktop, I just did "EXT4" with the "/" using the whole drive and then put bootloader (manually guide it to it) on that same partition ...

Thank you for the hint. I thought about something like that too. However, the old LM18 on my computer was installed on a HD connected to another BIOS-only computer and then inserted into my S205 a few years ago. So I'll use the same procedure for LM21, as LM21 also can be installed on BIOS-only PCs.

[pbear]

... install LM21 on the HD of the S205 using another BIOS-only computer.

Be aware of two issues when installing LM21 in BIOS mode.

First, if you use the Erase-and-Install method, you will end up with a superfluous EFI partition. Also the disk will be formatted GPT (rather than MBR) and the BIOS boot loader will be placed in a special partition you've perhaps never seen before. No worries. The system will boot fine in BIOS mode.

Second, if you use the Something Else method, e.g., because you like to set up your partitions manually, you will get a squawk/warning about not having an EFI partition. Ignore the squawk by clicking Continue. The installation will proceed as usual and, again, the system will boot fine in BIOS mode.

[ThaCrip]

... like if I recall correctly, as I just recently installed Mint 21.0-Xfce on my old desktop, I just did "EXT4" with the "/" using the whole drive and then put bootloader (manually guide it to it) on that same partition ...

Thank you for the hint. I thought about something like that too. However, the old LM18 on my computer was installed on a HD connected to another BIOS-only computer and then inserted into my S205 a few years ago. So I'll use the same procedure for LM21, as LM21 also can be installed on BIOS-only PCs.

There has to be some 'trick' to get it to work without using another computer to install it. but if that ends up being your only option, it's better than nothing

and like already mentioned, I would look into a BIOS update. but you may need to temporarily use Windows 7 to flash it. but taking a quick look online for 'Ideapad S205' I found... https://pcsupport.lenovo.com/us/en/prod ... s/ds018589 ; I am not sure if this 'fix' would apply to Linux but it shows, "Fixed the hang up issue when installing non-OEM version Windows 7 Operation system.".

Be aware of two issues when installing LM21 in BIOS mode.

First, if you use the Erase-and-Install method, you will end up with a superfluous EFI partition. Also the disk will be formatted GPT (rather than MBR) and the BIOS boot loader will be placed in a special partition you've perhaps never seen before. No worries. The system will boot fine in BIOS mode.

Second, if you use the Something Else method, e.g., because you like to set up your partitions manually, you will get a squawk/warning about not having an EFI partition. Ignore the squawk by clicking Continue. The installation will proceed as usual and, again, the system will boot fine in BIOS mode.

Good points. I did notice that during my setup on my old computer (I used the 'something else' option) using the EXT4 and "/" stuff etc that it did give that warning but I ignored it and it worked anyways.

but I did forget about the GPT and MBR stuff until you brought it up.

[goetzkluge]

pbear & ThaCrip, thank you. That‘s helpful.

[goetzkluge]

I found an Acer Aspire laptop PC (UEFI disabled) which I can use to install linuxmint-21-xfce-64bit.iso on media for old PCs: see viewtopic.php?p=2213111#p2213111

[goetzkluge]

With an old computer which lets the LM21 installer boot into BIOS-mode I could install LM21 on the HD of the IdeaPad S205. So I keep that old PC also for creating legacy LM21 installations on memory sticks and external SSDs. (It would be nice if the LM21 installer offers an option to chose between BIOS-mode and EFI-mode.)