Repeated failure to Install Linux ISO on DELL laptop

[grahamm7]

I am failing to load Linux Mint onto a Dell Latitude 5400. This was built with Windows 11 25H2 and tried to dual boot it. But this kept failing. I do not think it was the Dual Boot in itself. Rather something wrong with the Installation USB.
Using WinPE I have wiped the disk ‘clean’ so no information on the SDD. I have checked that the SSD is ok for Linux.
In DELL BIOS I have ensured that Boot mode is UEFI with secure BOOT OFF. Fast boot disabled it didn’t have this but minimal. DELL BIOS are often quite different. Believe me I have seen numerous DELL and HP BIOS’s. Enabled Thunderbird OFF and the Network Stack OFF. I also turned off the TPM.
Downloaded the Linux Mint ISO and then checked it on my PC:
a081ab202cfda17f6924128dbd2de8b63518ac0531bcfe3f1a1b88097c459bd4
Algorithm Hash Path --------- ---- ----
SHA256 A081AB202CFDA17F6924128DBD2DE8B63518AC0531BCFE3F1A1B88097C459BD4 C:\tmp\linuxmint-22.3-cinnamon-6…
Then made an ISO install with RUFUS – made sure that Partition Table was GPT and Target System is UEFI (non-CSM). And chose the ISO mode not DD mode.
It fails to install comes up with this error in the Top LH corner. (I had to write this down – not easy).
Failed to open \EFI\BOOT\mx64.efi
Failed to load the image xx
Failed to start Mok Manager – import-mok(state)

I then tried making an ISO install with BalenaEtcher. (no options given)
This also fails with the same error message above.

Surely somebody from this error message can diagnose what is wrong. It can’t be the ISO checksum checked out. And the ISO install can’t in itself be the problem as same error message with either the rufus one or Balena one.
It could be finger trouble maybe there is something I missed in the BIOS or maybe I set it wrong before??? The guy from Rufus was very helpful said I should clear any caches. But there are no caches on the BIOS only some NVRAM to store its settings etc..
I am getting very frustrated trying to install Linux mint. I have done this before on a previous DELL laptop with no problem. So can any one help in the light of the error I am getting.

I have given up Dual Booting this laptop and now will be Only Linux. This question was under Dual Boot but as this is like a FRESH install created New question - hope that is alright. Thanks all for previous replies.

 

[CaffeineAddict]

Then made an ISO install with RUFUS – made sure that Partition Table was GPT and Target System is UEFI (non-CSM). And chose the ISO mode not DD mode.

You were already told not to use ISO mode in your other thread but to use dd to write the ISO,
UEFI+GPT as target system is OK.

Post in thread 'Need help with setting up Dual Boot Latitude laptop Windows & Linux Mint'

Mar 26, 2026

So how do I check its valitidy there are CheckSums given:
Linux Mint Checksums
a081ab202cfda17f6924128dbd2de8b63518ac0531bcfe3f1a1b88097c459bd4 *linuxmint-22.3-cinnamon-64bit.iso

Run this (update path to downloaded ISO as needed) :

(Get-FileHash "C:\ISO\linuxmint-22.3-cinnamon-64bit.iso" -Algorithm SHA256).Hash -eq "a081ab202cfda17f6924128dbd2de8b63518ac0531bcfe3f1a1b88097c459bd4"

If the output is "True" the ISO is fine, if it's "False" it's not good.

I get a message in top LH corner (where GRUB dual boot message appears)
and says it can't find an EFI file

I...

• CaffeineAddict

I also turned off the TPM

Turning off TPM as well as secure boot should work.

The guy from Rufus was very helpful said I should clear any caches. But there are no caches on the BIOS only some NVRAM to store its settings etc..

What he probably meant is to clear CMOS which in turn clears all NVRAM variables.
If you see NVRAM option in bios use it to clear.

 

[grahamm7]

I am sure I read to use ISO mode not DD for Linux Install. I have now used an Ubuntu Install and that works fine. The problem is this missing mx64.efi file. Not sure why Linux don't include it I will try a DD ISO install stick and light blue touch paper and hopes it works. If non-technical people are going to start using Linux/Ubuntu et all. It might need to be a bit more straight forward to install. The guy who produces rufus didn't seem happy with Linux forum. Maybe a reflection the problems some of us are having.

 

[CaffeineAddict]

The guy who produces rufus didn't seem happy with Linux forum.

Your problem with the install is very DELL related, there has to be some special option in the BIOS or somewhere.
There were 2 threads here on forums about how to solve this but that was long time ago, I don't recall them.

In 1 case it was issue with TPM being enabled, in another case it was motherboard specific switch somewhere.

edit:
Here is 1 of those threads:

P

Solved Thread 'Unable to install any linux distribution on ASUS motherboard'

Mar 27, 2025

Hi,

Thank you for taking the time to read this post.

I am relatively new to Linux. I built a new PC with two drives. I first installed Windows and all is working with it. On the second drive I wanted to install Ubuntu. I removed the Windows drive to avoid issues but I am unable to get past the Grub menu. I have tried all sorts of boot menu commands I could find on this and other forums but am stuck and can't boot in. Here are the details:

System information:
Motherboard: ASUS Pro WS WRX80E-SAGE SE WIFI II
CPU: AMD Threadripper Pro 5955WX
GPU: RTX 3090
RAM: 2 ECC OWC 64 GB DDR4 sticks...

• punklearninglinux
• asus linux installation ubuntu
• Replies: 60
• Forum: Getting Started

• 

 

[Alexzee]

If you have Linux installed on another one of your Dell pc's I'd use that and the command line using the dd command to make your .iso of Mint bootable onto your thumb drive.

That way of making a usb bootable has never failed me yet in 13 plus years.

Balena Etcher has been problematic for a while now.

Below is a file that I keep to do this if Ventoy fails me.

Mount and Format the USB Device
* First with the usb thumb drive plugged in type:
sudo fdisk -l to see a list of devices.

After confirming your target drive, you need to unmount it before formatting it.

sudo umount /dev/sdb*

* Next, we need to format the unmounted drive. Let’s do this with the following command:

sudo mkfs.vfat -I /dev/sdb

 * Create a Bootable USB Using the dd Command

We’re ready to copy the ISO file to the USB drive using the dd command. I’d recommend navigating to the directory where you downloaded the ISO. Let’s say you put it in your user’s “Downloads” directory.

cd ~/Downloads

Since we’re already in the right directory, we can use the following command to write ISO to USB and create a bootable USB stick:

***This archlinux .iso is "just and example":-***
4. $ sudo dd if=~/Downloads/archlinux-2023.07.01-x86_64.iso of=/dev/sdb bs=4M status=progress

Wait for the command line to finish.
And Bob's your uncle.

 

[MikeWalsh]

If you have Linux installed on another one of your Dell pc's I'd use that and the command line using the dd command to make your .iso of Mint bootable onto your thumb drive.

That way of making a usb bootable has never failed me yet in 13 plus years.

Balena Etcher has been problematic for a while now.

@Alexzee :-

Which is hilarious when you stop & think about it.....because what does Etcher use for a backend?

That's right; good old, reliable 'dd'....

Mind you, I have never been sure whether or not Etcher is coded to make use of the version of 'dd' supplied with every distro I've ever seen, OR if it uses its own, built-in version. We don't use Etcher with Puppy, 'cos Etcher doesn't understand a RAM-based, 'frugal' install, but I think I'm going to download a current build, strip the AppImage down and take a squizz to see just what IS lurking in the app's bowels.....

Mike.

 

[KGIII]

I think I'm going to download a current build, strip the AppImage down and take a squizz to see just what IS lurking in the app's bowels.....

An update might be of interest to (and appreciated by) some of us.

 

[bob466]

Install Ventoy on a Flash Drive and drag the ISO in and boot to it.

How did you check that the SSD was ok for Linux..that's a new one.

 

[Condobloke]

Enabled Thunderbird OFF and the Network Stack OFF.

Thunderbird?...in bios?....do you mean Thunderbolt ....(otherwise known as usb4) that can be left enabled

Network Stack can also be left enabled

I am sure I read to use ISO mode not DD for Linux Install

and there is another problem. Why come here and ask for advice.....get that advice from one of the most knowledgeable members of this forum, and then question it.

The problem is this missing mx64.efi file. Not sure why Linux don't include it

It really does not matter . That is not the problem. There are millions of Linux Mint installs all over the world (my pc included) which have installed promptly and easily without fanfare.
There is certainly no need for lighting a blue touch paper.

If non-technical people are going to start using Linux/Ubuntu et all. It might need to be a bit more straight forward to install.

I have been using Linux since 2013. Others here have been using it for far longer. There is nothing new about. It is akin to making a cup of tea.

Having said all this, I do understand your frustration. when something does not work as it should despite repeated efforts, the choices are to throw it in the bin, or start over with a fresh mind

Personally, I would start over, by returning the bios to default.

Is windows 11 still on the dell ?

DO NOT wipe the drive again.
There is no need.
When Linux Mint Installs to the entire disk, it will wipe/format the entire disc, automatically.

Now....keep it simple....just follow the steps I have written.
Return bios to default
Disable Secure boot
Tell me if windows is still on the disk in any way,

 

[wizardfromoz]

The problem is this missing mx64.efi file. Not sure why Linux don't include it...

It does, it is

mmx64.efi

chris@Xia-Cinnamon-HDD:~$ locate mmx64.efi
/usr/lib/shim/mmx64.efi

Cheers

Wizard