Issues install on dell latitude 3180

michaelp91

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I have tried installing several different linux OSs onto my dell latitude 3180. I didn't like how slow the thing had become on windows so figured a linux OS would work well as I've used it on other laptops. I have tried installing several different flavors (ubuntu, mint, puppy, etc.) and it won't stick. What I mean is that I can use a bootable USB, which works, and install the OS just fine, but when I restart after the install and pull out the USB the computer can't find anything to boot. So I guess it's basically saying that there is no OS on the hard drive. I'm not sure what to do about this and I don't want to put it back on windows as it is horribly slow. I've tried searching if other people have put linux on a dell latitude 3180 but found nothing. If there's more info I need to give let me know and I'll do my best. Any help I get would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!
 


G'day michael, Welcome to Linux.org

Have you disabled secure boot in bios ?
 
Also, are you running from bios or uefi ?
 
What is UEFI and why is it important?
BIOS and UEFI
are two firmware interfaces for computers to start the operating system. BIOS uses the Master Boot Record (MBR) to save information about the hard drive data while UEFI uses the GUID partition table (GPT). Compared with BIOS, UEFI is more powerful and has more advanced features.
 
I
What is UEFI and why is it important?
BIOS and UEFI
are two firmware interfaces for computers to start the operating system. BIOS uses the Master Boot Record (MBR) to save information about the hard drive data while UEFI uses the GUID partition table (GPT). Compared with BIOS, UEFI is more powerful and has more advanced features.
I am running uefi.
 
So am I, have you disabled windows quick-start [fast-boot] in the UEFI?

Oh! And welcome to the forums.
 
For whatever reason, you are able to use the 'Live" version of Linux befor you actually install....Yes..?

But after double clicking on install on the Live desktop and following the install procedure through to its end, you have no OS on the hard drive...Yes?

Quite the conundrum.
 
I am running uefi.
When installing did you choose to install in UEFI mode?

Usually when one plugs in the usb one wishes to install, one can bring up the boot menu which will offer to boot that usb in UEFI mode, and maybe also in BIOS, or "standard" mode. So the user can make a choice. I wonder if that is the case with your machine and what you may or may not have chosen.
 
Last edited:
I just wanted to reply that my issue is resolved, although i'm not sure how. I installed Linux mint light while booting through legacy mode and secure boot off. Then I restarted my laptop, switched it to UEFI with secure boot off. When I restarted without the live USB in it started like normal in Linux mint. Not sure what happened but it worked. Thanks for the help y'all!
 
@michaelp91 - good outcome and welcome to linux.org :)

In your first post you can choose to edit the title to include at the beginning

[SOLVED]

and if you like you can head over to Member Introductions and say Hi and meet of our Members.

Enjoy your Linux.

Chris Turner
wizardfromoz
 

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