MX Linux on MacBookPro Serial C02TW0ARHV2R - can't install

_ka_

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Hello nice people,
i got this old macbook pro and was hoping to install MX Linux on it, but it somehow wont stick. I tried installing from a boot drive (etcher, MX Linux 23.5), but after reboot it just shows the live os.... by now, when i "normally" start the book, it shows the "apple is broken here" symbol.

I connected it to the LAN, Date/Time fit. Any ideas? I was really hoping to get a "new" laptop to carry around :/
 


Hello @_ka_
Welcome to the Linux.org forum, enjoy.
I sorry I can't be of much help with the mac install I sure there will be other that can help. But I've never tried one of those machines. A few common problems !. make sure secure boot and fast start are turned off if the machine has them.
Be patient and I'm sure someone will be able to help. It will help them if you can list the make model and age of the machine.
Good luck.
 
It's been my experience that installing Linux on older MacBook Pros isn't always straight-forward.
Here are some things to try. I have this in a Word document, I'm not sure where it came from. But I have done most of the things on it. I no longer have a Mac.

Check the Boot Mode: Older MacBook Pros often require a legacy (MBR) installation rather than an EFI installation. You might need to adjust the boot mode settings in the installer

Partitioning: Ensure that the partitions are correctly set up. You might need to create a separate EFI partition if you're using EFI boot, or ensure the partitions are set up for MBR if you're using legacy boo

Bootloader Installation: Sometimes, the bootloader doesn't install correctly. You can try reinstalling the bootloader manually. Boot into the live session, open a terminal, and use the following commands:

Code:
sudo mount /dev/sdX1 /mnt  # Replace sdX1 with your root partition
sudo grub-install --root-directory=/mnt /dev/sdX  # Replace sdX with your disk
sudo update-grub

Replace the X above with whatever the correct drive letter is.

Reset NVRAM/PRAM: Resetting the NVRAM/PRAM can sometimes resolve boot issues. To do this, restart your Mac and hold down Option + Command + P + R keys until you hear the startup sound twice

Use rEFInd: Installing rEFInd, a boot manager, can help manage the boot process more effectively on Macs. It can be installed from the live session and might help in booting into MX Linux

Check for Hardware Issues: Ensure that there are no hardware issues with your MacBook Pro. Sometimes, older hardware can cause unexpected problems during installation
 
IT may probably have a Broadcom wireless, drivers will need to be separately installed
 
It's been my experience that installing Linux on older MacBook Pros isn't always straight-forward.
Here are some things to try. I have this in a Word document, I'm not sure where it came from. But I have done most of the things on it. I no longer have a Mac.

Check the Boot Mode: Older MacBook Pros often require a legacy (MBR) installation rather than an EFI installation. You might need to adjust the boot mode settings in the installer
it asks for EFI and uses it upon boot...
Partitioning: Ensure that the partitions are correctly set up. You might need to create a separate EFI partition if you're using EFI boot, or ensure the partitions are set up for MBR if you're using legacy boot
tried checking that and if im not mistaken, i have quite some partitions (the laptop was given to me, used)
sudo lsblk
NAME MAJ:MIN RM SIZE RO TYPE MOUNTPOINTS
loop0 7:0 0 2,1G 1 loop /live/linux
sda 8:0 1 58,6G 0 disk
├─sda1 8:1 1 2,2G 0 part /live/boot-dev
└─sda2 8:2 1 8,8M 0 part
nvme0n1 259:0 0 931,8G 0 disk
├─nvme0n1p1 259:1 0 256M 0 part
└─nvme0n1p2 259:2 0 931,6G 0 part
nvme0n2 259:3 0 8K 0 disk

just, i dont know what to do about them. the code you posted earlier cannot be executed by me, not with sudo, and not with su
Bootloader Installation: Sometimes, the bootloader doesn't install correctly. You can try reinstalling the bootloader manually. Boot into the live session, open a terminal, and use the following commands:

Code:
sudo mount /dev/sdX1 /mnt  # Replace sdX1 with your root partition
sudo grub-install --root-directory=/mnt /dev/sdX  # Replace sdX with your disk
sudo update-grub

Replace the X above with whatever the correct drive letter is.

i tried this on the nvme0 but it replies with: user mount does not exist or userentry does not contain required entries/fields

i stopped here now because i dont know how to go on. this means, i havent checked your suggestions below, yet.

thank you so much, though
Reset NVRAM/PRAM: Resetting the NVRAM/PRAM can sometimes resolve boot issues. To do this, restart your Mac and hold down Option + Command + P + R keys until you hear the startup sound twice

Use rEFInd: Installing rEFInd, a boot manager, can help manage the boot process more effectively on Macs. It can be installed from the live session and might help in booting into MX Linux

Check for Hardware Issues: Ensure that there are no hardware issues with your MacBook Pro. Sometimes, older hardware can cause unexpected problems during installation
 


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