Problems Getting Installed Linux to Boot / Run on HP-ProBook-455

[Picasso01]

Hello, TIA for any help with this issue.

I successfully made a bootable USB flash drive using Rufus. I downloaded Linux Cinnamon Mint and booted up from the drive. I chose to wipe Windows and everything from the laptop during the install, because all I want this machine to do is: connect to the internet via SurfShark and run Kodi. Simple, right? Nope.

I've watched various videos on YouTube, read several guides with step by step instructions but nothing is quite the same as I see on my laptop in the flesh. Linux Mint is installed, I've verified that but it isn't booting up from the laptop, but from the flash drive. When I restart, I get the message to remove the flash drive, and everything goes to pot.

I tried fixing / troubleshooting boot issues and got this code from Boot Repair: write on paper the following URL: https://spunge.us/L2meUr telling me to quote it when I look for help on forums...

Before making this post, I went through the installation process again, overwriting the initial installation. I followed the instruction to restart the laptop. It restarted, then a screen appeared saying: please remove the installation media, then press ENTER:

It has been frozen on this screen for about 15 / 20 minutes already... .... I don't know what to do next, can anyone help?

[Pjotr]

Try the Edge iso, which contains the 6.5.x kernel by default:
https://mirror.cs.jmu.edu/pub/linuxmint ... t-edge.iso

[Picasso01]

Thank you, Pjotr, for the useful link, I've bookmarked the page. As soon as I've got Linux Mint booting from the laptop itself, I'll certainly follow that advice.

EDITED: It seems I've managed to fix the freezing problem, I'm cautiously optimistic

Off to follow the checklist off essential things to do... ....

Thanks!

[SMG]

Thank you, Pjotr, for the useful link, I've bookmarked the page. As soon as I've got Linux Mint booting from the laptop itself, I'll certainly follow that advice.

The advice was to use the Linux Mint 21.3 Cinnamon (Edge) Edition ISO. There was no advice to follow a "checklist of essential things to do". It seems you were confusing his post with his signature.

EDITED: It seems I've managed to fix the problem, I'm cautiously optimistic

What did you do to fix it?

[Picasso01]

I disabled BIOS-compatibility/CSM/Legacy mode in the UEFI firmware, rebooted from the flash drive and then selected UBUNTU from the options available to boot. Then restarted and removed the flash drive when prompted and hit ENTER. I still had to reselect UBUNTU manually but then it loaded. I've been able to install SurfShark VPN and Kodi entertainment center.

I can live with that for now, unless anyone has some advice???

[SMG]

I disabled BIOS-compatibility/CSM/Legacy mode in the UEFI firmware...

You have not provided information about what hardware is in your laptop, but usually if it designed to use UEFI then it is better to run UEFI rather than compatibility mode.

If it is working for you as is, then you can mark the issue solved by going to your first post in this topic, clicking the pencil icon, and adding [SOLVED] to the beginning of the title and submitting the revised post.

I do not use Kodi or Surfshark VPN and have no recommendations for those.

[Picasso01]

Quote: "You have not provided information about what hardware is in your laptop, but usually if it designed to use UEFI then it is better to run UEFI rather than compatibility mode. "
That's because I don't know... I could probably have found it if I hadn't erased Windows completely. I'm afraid I'm not really tech savvy, I can just follow instructions and have the patience to research and ask for help to resolve issues.

Also, I wouldn't say the problem is completely solved, as Linux doesn't automatically boot up, I can live with it for now as it's usable, but I would love to know how to resolve it completely - if possible, so I'd like to leave the post as "live" if that's OK, just in case anyone can help.

[SMG]

Quote: "You have not provided information about what hardware is in your laptop, but usually if it designed to use UEFI then it is better to run UEFI rather than compatibility mode. "
That's because I don't know... I could probably have found it if I hadn't erased Windows completely. I'm afraid I'm not really tech savvy, I can just follow instructions and have the patience to research and ask for help to resolve issues.

You can get the information by booting to a live session of Linux Mint using the install usb. Or now that you have your install working, you can get it from there.

Open the System Reports app and click the System Information tab on the left. Your computer's information should come up in the right pane. Then click the Copy button in the lower right and paste the results into a reply window here so we can see how Linux Mint views your hardware. Those instructions are listed in How to get help (the section in pink right above your topic title).

[Picasso01]

Thank you for the instructions, I will follow them tomorrow as I'm on a Windows laptop at the moment. Much appreciated.

[Picasso01]

Code: Select all

System:
  Kernel: 5.15.0-101-generic x86_64 bits: 64 compiler: gcc v: 11.4.0 Desktop: Cinnamon 6.0.4
    tk: GTK 3.24.33 wm: muffin vt: 7 dm: LightDM 1.30.0 Distro: Linux Mint 21.3 Virginia
    base: Ubuntu 22.04 jammy
Machine:
  Type: Laptop System: Hewlett-Packard product: HP ProBook 455 G2 v: A3009DD10303
    serial: <superuser required> Chassis: type: 10 serial: <superuser required>
  Mobo: Hewlett-Packard model: 2235 v: KBC Version 66.21 serial: <superuser required>
    UEFI: Hewlett-Packard v: M75 Ver. 01.45 date: 07/30/2018
Battery:
  ID-1: BAT0 charge: 23.7 Wh (100.0%) condition: 23.7/23.7 Wh (100.0%) volts: 16.7 min: 14.8
    model: Hewlett-Packard Primary type: Li-ion serial: <filter> status: Full
CPU:
  Info: quad core model: AMD A8-7100 Radeon R5 8 Compute Cores 4C+4G bits: 64 type: MT MCP
    smt: enabled arch: Steamroller rev: 1 cache: L1: 256 KiB L2: 4 MiB
  Speed (MHz): avg: 1447 high: 1797 min/max: 1100/1800 boost: enabled cores: 1: 1098 2: 1098
    3: 1797 4: 1797 bogomips: 14373
  Flags: avx ht lm nx pae sse sse2 sse3 sse4_1 sse4_2 sse4a ssse3 svm
Graphics:
  Device-1: AMD Kaveri [Radeon R5 Graphics] vendor: Hewlett-Packard driver: radeon v: kernel
    ports: active: eDP-1 empty: HDMI-A-1,VGA-1 bus-ID: 00:01.0 chip-ID: 1002:1318 class-ID: 0300
  Device-2: Cheng Uei Precision Industry (Foxlink) HP EliteBook integrated HD Webcam type: USB
    driver: uvcvideo bus-ID: 1-5:3 chip-ID: 05c8:0374 class-ID: 0e02
  Display: x11 server: X.Org v: 1.21.1.4 driver: X: loaded: ati,radeon
    unloaded: fbdev,modesetting,vesa gpu: radeon display-ID: :0 screens: 1
  Screen-1: 0 s-res: 1366x768 s-dpi: 96 s-size: 361x203mm (14.2x8.0") s-diag: 414mm (16.3")
  Monitor-1: eDP res: 1366x768 hz: 60 dpi: 101 size: 344x194mm (13.5x7.6") diag: 395mm (15.5")
  OpenGL: renderer: KAVERI ( LLVM 15.0.7 DRM 2.50 5.15.0-101-generic)
    v: 4.5 Mesa 23.2.1-1ubuntu3.1~22.04.2 direct render: Yes
Audio:
  Device-1: AMD Kaveri HDMI/DP Audio vendor: Hewlett-Packard driver: snd_hda_intel v: kernel
    bus-ID: 00:01.1 chip-ID: 1002:1308 class-ID: 0403
  Device-2: AMD FCH Azalia vendor: Hewlett-Packard driver: snd_hda_intel v: kernel
    bus-ID: 00:14.2 chip-ID: 1022:780d class-ID: 0403
  Sound Server-1: ALSA v: k5.15.0-101-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 RTL8111/8168/8411 PCI Express Gigabit Ethernet vendor: Hewlett-Packard
    driver: r8169 v: kernel pcie: speed: 2.5 GT/s lanes: 1 port: 4000 bus-ID: 01:00.0
    chip-ID: 10ec:8168 class-ID: 0200
  IF: enp1s0 state: down mac: <filter>
  Device-2: Realtek RTL8723BE PCIe Wireless Network Adapter vendor: Hewlett-Packard
    driver: rtl8723be v: kernel pcie: speed: 2.5 GT/s lanes: 1 port: 3000 bus-ID: 02:00.0
    chip-ID: 10ec:b723 class-ID: 0280
  IF: wlo1 state: up mac: <filter>
  IF-ID-1: surfshark_ipv6 state: unknown speed: N/A duplex: N/A mac: <filter>
  IF-ID-2: surfshark_tun state: unknown speed: 10 Mbps duplex: full mac: N/A
Bluetooth:
  Device-1: Realtek Bluetooth Radio type: USB driver: btusb v: 0.8 bus-ID: 3-3:2
    chip-ID: 0bda:b001 class-ID: e001 serial: <filter>
  Report: hciconfig ID: hci0 rfk-id: 0 state: up address: <filter> bt-v: 2.1 lmp-v: 4.0
    sub-v: 9f73 hci-v: 4.0 rev: e2f
Drives:
  Local Storage: total: 465.76 GiB used: 23.95 GiB (5.1%)
  ID-1: /dev/sda vendor: HGST (Hitachi) model: HTS545050A7E680 size: 465.76 GiB speed: 6.0 Gb/s
    type: HDD rpm: 5400 serial: <filter> rev: A350 scheme: GPT
Partition:
  ID-1: / size: 456.88 GiB used: 23.95 GiB (5.2%) fs: ext4 dev: /dev/sda3
  ID-2: /boot/efi size: 512 MiB used: 7 MiB (1.4%) fs: vfat dev: /dev/sda2
Swap:
  ID-1: swap-1 type: file size: 2 GiB used: 780 KiB (0.0%) priority: -2 file: /swapfile
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
    class-ID: 0900
  Device-1: 1-5:3 info: Cheng Uei Precision Industry (Foxlink) HP EliteBook integrated HD Webcam
    type: Video driver: uvcvideo interfaces: 2 rev: 2.0 speed: 480 Mb/s power: 500mA
    chip-ID: 05c8:0374 class-ID: 0e02
  Hub-2: 2-0:1 info: Full speed or root hub ports: 5 rev: 2.0 speed: 480 Mb/s chip-ID: 1d6b:0002
    class-ID: 0900
  Hub-3: 3-0:1 info: Full speed or root hub ports: 5 rev: 1.1 speed: 12 Mb/s chip-ID: 1d6b:0001
    class-ID: 0900
  Device-1: 3-3:2 info: Realtek Bluetooth Radio type: Bluetooth driver: btusb interfaces: 2
    rev: 2.1 speed: 12 Mb/s power: 500mA chip-ID: 0bda:b001 class-ID: e001 serial: <filter>
  Hub-4: 4-0:1 info: Full speed or root hub ports: 5 rev: 1.1 speed: 12 Mb/s chip-ID: 1d6b:0001
    class-ID: 0900
  Hub-5: 5-0:1 info: Full speed or root hub ports: 2 rev: 1.1 speed: 12 Mb/s chip-ID: 1d6b:0001
    class-ID: 0900
  Device-1: 5-2:2 info: Validity Sensors VFS495 Fingerprint Reader type: <vendor specific>
    driver: N/A interfaces: 1 rev: 1.1 speed: 12 Mb/s power: 100mA chip-ID: 138a:003f class-ID: ff00
    serial: <filter>
  Hub-6: 6-0:1 info: Hi-speed hub with single TT ports: 2 rev: 2.0 speed: 480 Mb/s
    chip-ID: 1d6b:0002 class-ID: 0900
  Device-1: 6-1:2 info: Trust Wireless TouchKB type: Keyboard,Mouse,HID
    driver: hid-generic,usbhid interfaces: 3 rev: 1.1 speed: 12 Mb/s power: 200mA chip-ID: 145f:01d3
    class-ID: 0300
  Device-2: 6-2:3 info: MosArt 2 4Ghz Wireless Transceiver [for Delux M618 Plus Vertical Mouse]
    type: Keyboard,Mouse driver: hid-generic,usbhid interfaces: 2 rev: 1.1 speed: 12 Mb/s
    power: 100mA chip-ID: 062a:4c01 class-ID: 0301
  Hub-7: 7-0:1 info: Super-speed hub ports: 2 rev: 3.0 speed: 5 Gb/s chip-ID: 1d6b:0003
    class-ID: 0900
Sensors:
  System Temperatures: cpu: 45.8 C mobo: 0.0 C gpu: radeon temp: 45.0 C
  Fan Speeds (RPM): N/A
Repos:
  Packages: 2192 apt: 2187 flatpak: 5
  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 virginia 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
  Active apt repos in: /etc/apt/sources.list.d/official-source-repositories.list
    1: deb-src http: //packages.linuxmint.com virginia main upstream import backport
    2: deb-src http: //archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu jammy main restricted universe multiverse
    3: deb-src http: //archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu jammy-updates main restricted universe multiverse
    4: deb-src http: //archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu jammy-backports main restricted universe multiverse
    5: deb-src http: //security.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ jammy-security main restricted universe multiverse
  Active apt repos in: /etc/apt/sources.list.d/surfshark.list
    1: deb https: //ocean.surfshark.com/debian stretch main
  Active apt repos in: /etc/apt/sources.list.d/team-xbmc-ppa-jammy.list
    1: deb [signed-by=/etc/apt/keyrings/team-xbmc-ppa-jammy.gpg] https: //ppa.launchpadcontent.net/team-xbmc/ppa/ubuntu jammy main
    2: deb-src [signed-by=/etc/apt/keyrings/team-xbmc-ppa-jammy.gpg] https: //ppa.launchpadcontent.net/team-xbmc/ppa/ubuntu jammy main
Info:
  Processes: 248 Uptime: 52m wakeups: 1 Memory: 3.27 GiB used: 1.89 GiB (57.6%) Init: systemd
  v: 249 runlevel: 5 Compilers: gcc: 11.4.0 alt: 11/12 Client: Unknown python3.10 client
  inxi: 3.3.13

[Picasso01]

Try the Edge iso, which contains the 6.5.x kernel by default:
https://mirror.cs.jmu.edu/pub/linuxmint ... t-edge.iso

So, I followed the link and downloaded the Edge ISO, it's sitting in my downloads folder (3,1 GB) but I can't see anything obvious to install it.... I have searched for help but only get info on the download, nothing about what to do after it has downloaded. I did find a page on "How to mount ISO Image on LINUX" but it assumes prior knowledge, and I do not understand. I am completely lost.

I have rebooted the system... (just 'cause that's what you do!).

Can anyone provide a step by step installation guide / link to one, please?

[Pjotr]

You have to create a bootable USB memory stick with it, boot from that stick and freshly install Mint. Just like you (presumably) did before with the non-Edge iso.

[Picasso01]

You have to create a bootable USB memory stick with it, boot from that stick and freshly install Mint. Just like you (presumably) did before with the non-Edge iso.

Thank you! Yes, I made a bootable USB Flash Drive with Rufus. I will do that now.

[SMG]

Code: Select all

Machine:
  Type: Laptop System: Hewlett-Packard product: HP ProBook 455 G2 v: A3009DD10303
    serial: <superuser required> Chassis: type: 10 serial: <superuser required>
  Mobo: Hewlett-Packard model: 2235 v: KBC Version 66.21 serial: <superuser required>
    UEFI: Hewlett-Packard v: M75 Ver. 01.45 date: 07/30/2018
CPU:
  Info: quad core model: AMD A8-7100 Radeon R5 8 Compute Cores 4C+4G bits: 64 type: MT MCP
    smt: enabled arch: Steamroller rev: 1 cache: L1: 256 KiB L2: 4 MiB
Graphics:
  Device-1: AMD Kaveri [Radeon R5 Graphics] vendor: Hewlett-Packard driver: radeon v: kernel
    ports: active: eDP-1 empty: HDMI-A-1,VGA-1 bus-ID: 00:01.0 chip-ID: 1002:1318 class-ID: 0300

I don't see any reason for your computer to need the Edge ISO, but if you want to experiment that is fine.

[Picasso01]

I don't see any reason for your computer to need the Edge ISO, but if you want to experiment that is fine.

Thanks SMG, I'm going to experiment because it's running incredibly slow, and it's painful to stream anything - well, more like nigh on impossible. I had to switch back to my Windows laptop, which did the job perfectly Hopefully, Edge ISO will solve all the issues! (I have tried a few of the suggestions in Pjotr's "Easy Linux Tips Project". Thank you.

[SMG]

Thanks SMG, I'm going to experiment because it's running incredibly slow, and it's painful to stream anything - well, more like nigh on impossible.

Your computer only has 4 GB of RAM. A newer kernel (which is the only difference with the Edge ISO) is unlikely to make a difference.

Installing Xfce or MATE desktop (which are both lighter on resources than Cinnamon) might help.

You could also try increasing the swapfile size to see if that helps. Try making it 6 GB.
How to Increase Swap Size on Ubuntu Linux

[Picasso01]

I'm trying to install Edge ISO now - let's see!

[Pjotr]

These safe speed tweaks might help:
https://easylinuxtipsproject.blogspot.c ... -mint.html

[Picasso01]

These safe speed tweaks might help:
https://easylinuxtipsproject.blogspot.c ... -mint.html

Hi Pjotr, I was fine following the instructions until:
"Press Enter.

f. In the bottom of the text of that file, create a new line with z3fold in it, so that it becomes:

# List of modules that you want to include in your initramfs.
# They will be loaded at boot time in the order below.
#
# Syntax: module_name [args ...]
#
# You must run update-initramfs(8) to effect this change.
#
# Examples:initramfs.
#
# raid1
# sd_mod
z3fold

Save the changes and close the text editor.

g. Then in the terminal (use copy/paste to transfer the command to the terminal!):"

I'm lost after "Press Enter", I've no clue what to do now... How do I know what modules I want to include - I don't know what a module is! What are "initramfs."?

Why, even in help forums for Linux is so much prior knowledge presumed? I do appreciate you're trying to help, sorry I'm clueless.

[Pjotr]

Sorry, I'm afraid I can't make it any easier than the way that I've written it down in my how-to....

Those how-to's are my ultimate effort at making it easy to apply the speed tweaks. If I could make it any easier, I would have done that already.... I recommend that you seek help from somebody who can do it for you. Perhaps a computer club in your vicinity?