Can not install Linux on HP Pavillion

[Developer35]

I tried install different flavors of Linux (CentOS, Ubuntu, Debian) on this machine but all installations failed. They all produced different error messages but neither of them was informative (like "Unknown error", or "Can't store information").

Is there something in my hardware, which prevents Linux from being installed on this machine?

This is Pavilion p7-1225 with 64 bit AMD A8 processor, 8Gb memory

[Resolv_S]

Hello@Developer35,

Welcome to the HP Support Forums!  It is a great place to find the help you need, from other users, HP experts, and other support personnel.

I understand that you need assistance in installing the Linux operating system on your PC. Did I get it, right?

As per the specifications I checked, I found that your PC was originally designed for a single boot. Windows operating system.

HP has never tested nor provided dual boot operating system on your PC model/series.

You might face boot issues while trying to install Non-Windows operating systems on the PC.

It is not recommended to d so. YOU may continue to install Non-Windows operating system at your sole discretion.

Hope this answers the question. Please let me know more.

Resolv_S

Glad to help you. I work for HP

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[WAWood]

Developer35

Your model desktop actually comes in two different versions, depending on the OS preinstalled:

1) Windows 8s

2) Windows 7

If it is the second version, then most likely, is used UEFI instead of BIOS, and that introduces a whole new set of problems trying to install any Linux distro.  Here are some issue as identified with Ubuntu:  http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=2147295

Most likely, what's preventing you is something known as Secure Boot.  You have to go into the UEFI settings and disable that before you can boot ANY other OS on your PC.

Also, HP warranties their PCs only for the original OS that comes preinstalled.  If you overwrite that with a different OS, or if you install a second OS, you are basically on your own.

My suggestion is that you contact the support forum for the Linux distro you want installed.  Folks there will have experience dealing with installation issues.

Good Luck

[Developer35]

Thank you very much for your help!

I checked my BIOS settings and did not find anything like "Secure boot". Is there anything else I should pay attention to?

My computer apparently does use UEFI as this term can be seen in BIOS settings. However, I have other computers which also use UEFI and Linux installs on them without any problem.

[mdklassen]

> Also, HP warranties their PCs only for the original OS that comes preinstalled.  

> If you overwrite that with a different OS, or if you install a second OS, you are basically on your own.

I don't believe this.  For example, if a power-supply fails, it fails, and HP cannot "blame Linux" for its failure.

However, make/keep a copy of the software to reinstall Windows (and the HP Diagnostics tools).

Then, if you have "intermittent" hardware problems,  temporarily connect a "spare" disk-drive, and try to install Windows onto this "empty" disk-drive.  If it fails, then HP _must_ give you support, since you are using HP software on HP hardware.

It might be good to put your current disk-drive, with HP's version of Windows, aside, and label it.

Then, if you have any problems, reconnect this disk-drive, to "revert" to HP software on HP hardware, before exercising your HP warranty.