Solved Hi! Newer to Linux!~ Surface Pro 8 Install Woes...

Solved issue
From what I see- it installs Mint and then goes to install GRUB. It tries to install but still a no-go. Tried with and without internet connections- same result both times it seems. I am now trying with LMDE7, to see where it goes now.
And for some strange reason, before when I USB sttested Neon, It did the same thing to a USB stick installed of onboard SSD.

Update- Youch- desperately needs surface-kernel. LMDE Gparted is having better luck- will see if it installs now.
 
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Yeah, because it can't download files, because there is no internet connection, or no DNS configuration.
That's no reason to crash. I believe Mint is installable without net anyway. Manjaro may need it (I don't know off-hand).
 
Tried with and without internet connections- same result both times it seems.
Internet connection needs to be setup by the installer, and DNS needs to work.
If that's not the case then connect to internet before you run installer and test DNS with dig linuxmint.com or some other DNS command that's available in live boot.

When it fails with network connection, take a look into log to see why it fails.

That's no reason to crash. I believe Mint is installable without net anyway.
The logs show failure to resolve linuxmint.com during "finish-install" step.
 
From what I see- it installs Mint and then goes to install GRUB. It tries to install but still a no-go. Tried with and without internet connections- same result both times it seems. I am now trying with LMDE7, to see where it goes now.
And for some strange reason, before when I USB sttested Neon, It did the same thing to a USB stick installed of onboard SSD.

Update- Youch- desperately needs surface-kernel. LMDE Gparted is having better luck- will see if it installs now.
Nope-still nothing!
 
It looks like Mint uses some unconventional method to install itself so I can't help with that.
Not that I am aware of.

I think the apparent complexity here is likely due to many things being done/altered/chucked out and etc etc, without a sufficient knowledge of the possible consequences.

That is not a criticism of you, Rocketingwarp, I cannot fault you for your keenness , and can-do attitude !

Hang in there....problems were made to be solved.
 
"I think the apparent complexity here is likely due to many things being done/altered/chucked out and etc etc, without a sufficient knowledge of the possible consequences.
I am assuming op choose "Something else (Manual Partitioning)" and that can create problem. It's just a wild guess.
@Rocketing-warp9
You can try "create partition table" using gparted with partition type "gpt". Then create new partition. After that try to install Linux mint.
 
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^^^^^...possibly.
 
Thank you All for hanging in with me! I chose on most attempts “erase disk and install (insert distro here). Kde, Manjaro, Mint and LMDE all had the same result- but LMDE was able to change partitions while the others failed. All still conked out at bootloader- but LMDE did not show an error. I think the EFI is just being wonky( do not cont on that- I still know very little about this ). Thank you all for the suggestions! Below are pictures on Manjaro Gparted. For some reason after formatting it still has a gig of data on the fresh partition. Hmm.

- update

Switched partition table back to GPT- (was on msdos before)- same problems. Fails on bootloader install. Ouch

Grub works on the live USB installer. Not installed on machine itself… get to live environment fine until it fails to install grub (or systemd- boot).
 

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Now on LMDE 7. Using the built-in auto installer. I did take note that GRUB could be installed on another disk…. Maybe a USB with grub to get mint going?
 

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Farther then it went before!

Update- still nothing :(

This thing hates grub.
Took note- was still looking for win Bootmgr.
 

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Farther then it went before!

Update- still nothing :(

This thing hates grub.
Took note- was still looking for win Bootmgr.
At this point- a wacky idea…

I have a old Win8.1 CD laying around…
I was thinking on using them for DISKpart and trying it that way. Depends if my hub has enough power…


Manjaro detects LMDE’s grub install.

At least it is there..

Update- tried through Manjaro’s boot manger on my stick- grub loaded the LMDE install!
Now just to get the Surface itself to boot it.. and get that kernel installed.
 

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I am assuming op choose "Something else (Manual Partitioning)" and that can create problem. It's just a wild guess.
@Rocketing-warp9
You can try "create partition table" using gparted with partition type "gpt". Then create new partition. After that try to install Linux mint.
Thank you! LMDE is installed now- albeit the surface still doesn’t see grub without an external boot drive- have to use Manjaro Live stick for now. Surface-kernel is installed- need multitouch support however.
Thank you all for sticking with me- just a little more to go!
 

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Yes, this is the problem, the issue is this one (including a workaround) :
Yep! Same problem. I do have to question though- with the Ventoy method, would I just install directly to the ssd and use that for my Bootloader? Or would I need to reinstall LMDE?

Update-

This might have to do with it:

This was enabled during my attempts.
Would I need to reinstall to get grub again? (It is there, just not being seen). Thank you all!
 

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What is the status now, is LMDE running or not?
LMDE runs, have to use a Manjaro Live USB to get past grub. Surface-kernel is live and running well! Just the issue of getting grub to load on its own without a usb being plugged in. LMDE is installed on the Internal SSD.
 

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Disable the boot configuration lock and try to install it again. And use "ext4" as file system instead of btrfs.
 


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