this post was submitted on 08 Mar 2025
15 points (89.5% liked)

Linux

52796 readers
544 users here now

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Linux is a family of open source Unix-like operating systems based on the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released on September 17, 1991 by Linus Torvalds. Linux is typically packaged in a Linux distribution (or distro for short).

Distributions include the Linux kernel and supporting system software and libraries, many of which are provided by the GNU Project. Many Linux distributions use the word "Linux" in their name, but the Free Software Foundation uses the name GNU/Linux to emphasize the importance of GNU software, causing some controversy.

Rules

Related Communities

Community icon by Alpár-Etele Méder, licensed under CC BY 3.0

founded 5 years ago
MODERATORS
 

I have an older desktop (circa 2010) that I'm trying to repurpose into a small game server and NAS. It doesn't have UEFI. I've tried booting from USB and from DVD. I can get into the BIOS boot menu and select the device to boot from, but after I select it just goes to a blank screen.

I'm using the onboard AMD GPU. This is a fresh hard drive. I've tried the boot media on my laptop and it boots fine. I've put the old Windows 7 SSD back into the desktop and it boots fine. I've tried different images: Fedora Silverblue, Antix x64, Antix 386. Everything is giving the same results.

Can you recommend any other troubleshooting tips?

top 17 comments
sorted by: hot top controversial new old
[–] Xanza@lemm.ee 11 points 4 weeks ago* (last edited 4 weeks ago) (1 children)

In your BIOS, ensure that you have compatibility mode enabled for USB devices. Sometimes it's called legacy mode. If not, your PC could refuse to boot from some devices. Sounds like what's happening here at least. Usually if this mode is disabled the USB device won't show, but its worth a shot.

[–] I_am_10_squirrels@beehaw.org 2 points 3 weeks ago

Thank you, I appreciate the help.

My BIOS is old enough that it is legacy :-) It can see the USB device, but for some reason when I try to boot from it the system just hangs with no video output. It sees it as a hard drive, so I have to make it the 1st drive and then I can set the boot priority.

https://imgur.com/IkgLb1g

https://imgur.com/aWzjuua

[–] catloaf@lemm.ee 7 points 4 weeks ago (1 children)

What are you using to create the boot media? Try Rufus, and make sure it's BIOS and MBR.

[–] I_am_10_squirrels@beehaw.org 1 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

Thank you, I appreciate the help.

I am using Rufus with MBR and "BIOS or UEFI", I don't see a BIOS-only mode.

https://imgur.com/a1rM5sR

When I burn the USB stick, I get a popup about a hybrid ISO. I've tried both ISO mode and dd mode, neither option lets me boot.

https://imgur.com/oySO6Vj

[–] catloaf@lemm.ee 2 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

That should be correct. What desktop is it exactly? Are you using the current OS versions? Does it boot from USB if you try older ones, Windows 7, or even freedos?

[–] I_am_10_squirrels@beehaw.org 2 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

Fedora Silverblue, I downloaded the latest image from their website. I also tried AntiX and Zorin. I just tried using Rufus to burn a FreeDOS USB stick and no luck there either. My old Windows SSD was booting, but now when I just tried again I'm getting BSOD. I think the computer is borked after sitting for too long, so time to build a new one. with blackjack and hookers.

[–] catloaf@lemm.ee 2 points 3 weeks ago

Yeah if it doesn't even boot something as basic as freedos it's probably not a configuration issue. You can try resetting the BIOS and pulling the battery, and of course try a different USB stick if you haven't already.

But if it's not even booting a previously good OS it might be that the board died.

[–] drhoopoe@lemmy.sdf.org 5 points 4 weeks ago (1 children)

Did it currently have windows installed? If so, have you turned off secure boot and fastboot?

If you've done all that already, then maybe try adding nomodeset to the kernel parameters in grub. You can find instructions by searching how to set kernel parameters. It's fairly easy, but kind of a pain to explain.

[–] I_am_10_squirrels@beehaw.org 1 points 3 weeks ago

Thank you, I appreciate the help.

I disabled quick boot. My BIOS is old enough that it doesn't have secure boot.

https://imgur.com/egcL7yt

I can't even get to the GRUB stage. I try to boot from the USB or the DVD and it just hangs with no video output.

[–] Stowaway@midwest.social 4 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

Try USB 2 ports using a USB 2 drive, and try different ports. Ive seen issues where I had a perfectly good drive and it wouldnt boot at all. Using a different port it installed fine. Similar issues using USB 3 drive or ports in machines only a few years old.

[–] I_am_10_squirrels@beehaw.org 2 points 3 weeks ago

It's a USB 2 drive and USB 2 ports. I have some USB 3 ports on a PCIe expansion card but they're not recognized during boot. I tried the other USB 2 port and it was the same result. I'm thinking the MoBo might be borked after sitting for too many years.

[–] driving_crooner@lemmy.eco.br 2 points 3 weeks ago

Could you install Linux on a drive om other pc and then move it to this one?

[–] gnuhaut@lemmy.ml 2 points 3 weeks ago

I have had USB thumb drives that just wouldn't boot on some computers. Try a different USB drive maybe.

[–] Spider89@lemm.ee 2 points 3 weeks ago

If you are using this as a server, I recommend Debian. If GRUB displayes, try text only/videosafe.

If this image doesn't work, try x86 version.

[–] tasankovasara@sopuli.xyz 1 points 3 weeks ago

It could be that you're trying to boot images that only do uefi boot? Or is the machine old enough to not support 64-bit stuff? I resurrected my first Thinkpad (2003) with a Debian 32-bit install, that'll surely boot on yours as well!

[–] Auster@thebrainbin.org 1 points 3 weeks ago

Tried flashing an USB stick and putting the system ISOs in the stick afterwards?

[–] notthebees@reddthat.com 1 points 3 weeks ago

Can you try using a different os? Windows or something. I don't see why it won't work.