Solved Linux Install Error

[JackRoch]

I loaded Linux Mint Cinnamon onto my HP ProBook laptop via a Sandisk USB flash drive created using Belena Etcher. Linux loaded up great with no issues on my Laptop. I wanted to load that same version of Linux onto my Acer Aspire TC-780 Desktop computer (see specs) using the same flash drive. F12 got me to the boot menu (see screen image). After selecting the flash drive, an error message came up (see screen image) for about 5 seconds and then the computer shut down.
I took the flash drive and used Belena Etcher to rewrite it with a fresh version of the Linux Mint Cinnamon install, but got the same results. I have Bitdefender Total Security on the computer that brings up a screen asking if I want to scan any flash drives that it detects, but I did not see any message of that type on the boot process. The laptop has the same Bitdefender Software and there were no issues of that type on the install. I don't remember if the laptop boot listed "partition 1" when describing the flash drive. Windows boots properly when I remove the flash drive.
Do you have any ideas on what the issue might be?
JackRoch

 

[osprey]

I loaded Linux Mint Cinnamon onto my HP ProBook laptop via a Sandisk USB flash drive created using Belena Etcher. Linux loaded up great with no issues on my Laptop. I wanted to load that same version of Linux onto my Acer Aspire TC-780 Desktop computer (see specs) using the same flash drive. F12 got me to the boot menu (see screen image). After selecting the flash drive, an error message came up (see screen image) for about 5 seconds and then the computer shut down.
I took the flash drive and used Belena Etcher to rewrite it with a fresh version of the Linux Mint Cinnamon install, but got the same results. I have Bitdefender Total Security on the computer that brings up a screen asking if I want to scan any flash drives that it detects, but I did not see any message of that type on the boot process. The laptop has the same Bitdefender Software and there were no issues of that type on the install. I don't remember if the laptop boot listed "partition 1" when describing the flash drive. Windows boots properly when I remove the flash drive.
Do you have any ideas on what the issue might be?
JackRoch

Welcome.
The first thing that comes to mind is what is in the BIOS/UEFI? For example, is there a menu item which allows the selection of other operating systems apart from MS? Sometimes there is a configuration option like "OS Select" or some other similar meaning terms where one can select non MS installations. Perhaps check that first.

Since the installation usb did work on the laptop, it would appear that the problem was elsewhere.

Disabling secure boot and fast boot in the BIOS/UEFI may also help.

Also, whilst in the BIOS/UEFI it's worth checking whether the setting which enables AHCI or RAID, and if you are not running RAID, select AHCI. It determines how the SATA/NVMe controller communicates with the operating system.

 

[kc1di]

The message MokListXRT: Volume Full usually means that secure boot is engaged and if you turn it off in bios/uefi the session should boot. Good luck. Also if fast boot is engaged turn it off. Back along the ubutnu signing key was wrong and secure boot would not accept it. Mint is based on ubuntu.

 

[Brickwizard]

Welcome to the forums

Why Linux fails to load/install direct to HDD, common reasons

1] Corrupt download [check SHA sum]
2] bad burn to installation medium [try again] [if you used Rufus then try Balena Etcher or Ventoy]
3] Wind 8.2 and higher quick start/fast boot or secure boot not disabled [after disabling do a full power re-boot not a restart]
4] defective pen-drive/DVD
5] hardware fault,
5A] If old style HDD run integrity check
5B]if SATA SSD check for hidden partition at the beginning of drive [this will stop Grub from loading] and delete it before re-installing Linux
If New M2.NVMe check, your system is NVMe compatible [not all older kit is]

 

[osprey]

Under "1st Boot Device [Windows Boot Manager]", what are the options available when you press that menu item? If you can change that to "Removable Device", that should allow you to boot from a usb.

 

[JackRoch]

In the Boot menu page, I changed the 1st Boot Device to "SanDisk ...". I also made a change to the Hard Disk Priority to place the SanDisk first (See images below). After making those changes, I still got the same error messages. The error messages did appear in a bigger font so I am making some progress! I also included an image of the panel in the boot menu that appears on the lower right portion of the screen if that is any help.
My computer literacy is pretty low, so I do not understand how to check "the setting which enables AHCI or RAID" or some of the items that BrickWizard listed. I will try using Belena to write the install program to a different flash drive just in case the one that I used got corrupted somehow after I used it to install Linux on the HP laptop.
JackRoch

 

[Brickwizard]

ha the USB booted to test mode? if no, then check advanced settings, look for enabling USB boot [wording may differ] and make sure it's enabled. [not all machines have this]

 

[CaffeineAddict]

@JackRoch
I found what's the problem:

Could not create MokListRT: volume full etc when trying to boot almost any distro/liveUSB

I'm having this issue for a few months now...I was using fedora for a long time but it broke after an update and since then I can't install or run a live environment of almost no distro...so far only

unix.stackexchange.com

You'll need to adapt the steps to your BIOS.
The step "Reset to Setup Mode to clear all the variables and keys." should be under "Security" tab because it applies to TPM.

 

[JackRoch]

Thank you for finding the item on MokListRT error. I cannot duplicate the steps, since I found out the Acer Aspire TC-780 does not contain a Key Management option in its Bios menu. I went to an AI search engine and asked "for an Acer Aspire TC-780 how do you Reset to Setup Mode to clear all the variables and keys"? The AI search said to go to the exit tab in Bios and click yes for "Load Default Settings." I can do this, but before I blow up my computer following the advice of Mr. AI, does this seem like a reasonable step to do?
JackRoch

 

[Brickwizard]

When was your bios last updated? There have been 2 since new

https://www.acer.com/gb-en/support/product-support/Aspire_TC-780/downloads

 

[CaffeineAddict]

The AI search said to go to the exit tab in Bios and click yes for "Load Default Settings."

This can't be setup mode, what options do you have under "Security -> TPM operation"?

And what options do you have under "Authentication -> System boot state" and "Authentication -> System boot mode state"?

Please list all 3 options choices.

edit:
If you change "System boot state" from User to Administrator you should get additional options in various places.

 

[JackRoch]

Thank you for your follow-up to my issue. I appreciate it. I checked with an ACER forum and my installed version of Bios (R01-A1) is the latest version available for the motherboard installed on my computer. The title on the top of the Bios menu screens reads “BIOS Setup Utility”.

Security>TPM Operation> None or Clear (None is currently selected)

Authentication > System boot state (will not let me select this entry)

Authentication > System boot mode state (will not let me select this entry)

Perhaps the AI recommendation to go to Exit >Load Default Setting will increase the number of Bios commands that can be selected. Do you think I should try this next?

JackRoc

 

[theLegionWithin]

there's nothing wrong with setting the bios back to factory defaults as you've already captured the boot order so it'd be easy to restore it if you needed to.

poked around for a bit and I did find a service guide, it's got a bunch of info for the bios, what options are available, etc - see attached. recommended reading for sure

 

[CaffeineAddict]

Security>TPM Operation> None or Clear (None is currently selected)

Set it to Clear, save and reboot, this should put TPM to setup mode.

 

[JackRoch]

Changed the TPM Operation to "Clear", but reverts back to None when Bios is rebooted. I tried saving with F10 key, "Save" command in Exit Menu, and "Save and Exit" Command in Exit Menu. Each time the "Clear" entry changes back to "None". TPM Support command still shows "Enabled."
I was looking at page 19 of the Service Manual that theLegionWithin located (thank you for finding that). When I select "change supervisor password" it give me a pop up to enter a password. If I set up a password and change the Supervisor Password command to "Installed", I think that will give me the admin status and allow me to change and access all the settings.

 

[JackRoch]

I have to enter new password when Bios starts but TPM Operation still reverts back to "none" when I reboot. If I select both TPM Operation>Clear and TPM Support>Disable, the entry for TPM Operation disappears altogether. Since I do not know what I am doing, I did not take that step.

 

[JackRoch]

Every search I do tells me that R02 BIOs upgrades are compatible with the Acer Aspire 780 UR12 motherboard, yet the following post on the ACER forum relates a user experience that differs. I am not sure who to believe?
JackRoc

Upgrading Acer Aspire TC-780 and How can i update the bios? - Acer Community

Hello, i wanted to upgrade my bios(R01.A1) to the latest bios avaible for my computer(R02.B2). The problem is when i download the file, unzip it and run it in windows, it goes to 100% and restarts, i go to bios and the version is the same as before. I tried to run every single file by FreeDOS...

community.acer.com

 

[JackRoch]

As I understand it, the MokListRT error is because there is not enough room on the BIOS currently to fit the Mint EFI startup file. I am having problems accessing BIOS commands to free up more room on the BIOS. Are the EFI startup files for Chrome or one of the superlight versions of Linux substantially smaller than Mint? Perhaps there is enough room on the BIOS for one of those EFI startup files? If I did, could I then upgrade to Mint or will that always be restricted by the BIOS space on the motherboard?
JackRoc

 

[CaffeineAddict]

As I understand it, the MokListRT error is because there is not enough room on the BIOS currently to fit the Mint EFI startup file.

No, problem is MOK (Machine Owner Key) can't be installed into your TPM chip because it doesn't accept it.
Therefore it has to be put into setup mode which allows adding new keys.

You can try disable TPM and Linux installer should skip MOK all together.

edit:

I loaded Linux Mint Cinnamon onto my HP ProBook laptop via a Sandisk USB flash drive created using Belena Etcher.

Btw. if disabling TPM doesn't help with Mint install, I suggest you to try installing Debian because it doesn't insist on TPM/secure boot when these options are disabled.

I'm installing it with TPM/secure boot off in BIOS.

But note if you have Windows 11 on that laptop then you need TPM, in that case you can either remove Windows or reinstall it with a hack to skip TPM check.

 

[Trml]

I had a cursory search and one user reports the error went away after they enabled CSM compatibility mode; https://forums.linuxmint.com/viewtopic.php?t=428789
It's the first "Launch CSM" menu option in your bios.